The Living Stream Church of the Brethren: Like Nothing Before

We are excited to share the news of the launch of a Church of the Brethren unlike any before. It's the Living Stream Church of the Brethren, a new online church.

Here is Audrey DeCoursey, the pastor of the church, to tell you all about it.

Spread the word, and join Audrey and folks across the nation and the world, as they spread the Word, and celebrate the Christ who has broken down all boundaries and dividing walls.

Click HERE to go to the Living Stream Facebook page.

Click HERE to go to the Living Stream website.

What Is Church World Service?

In this month of October the Ellisforde church's Coins of Compassion offerings will go to Church World Service. What is Church World Service? This is how they describe their mission and work.

Photo: Paul Jeffrey, ACT/Caritas

Church World Service works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. Together we reach out to neighbors in need near and far--not with a hand out, but a hand up.  So, if you’re looking to help build a better world—a world where there’s enough for all—you’ve come to the right place!

Around the world, Church World Service supports sustainable grassroots development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance, and we educate and advocate on hunger-related issues.  In the U.S., we help communities respond to disasters, resettle refugees, promote fair national and international policies, and provide educational resources. 

We invite you to join our network of local and global caring through participation in CROP Hunger Walks, the Blankets+ program, and the CWS Kits program.

Connect with us today!

• Responding to emergencies in the U.S. and around the world
• Nurturing development at the grassroots with seeds, tools and homegrown strategies
• Assisting refugees to return home when possible, and to find other viable options when it’s not
• Speaking out in partnership on issues that make a difference in the lives of hungry people
• Food security so parents can reliably feed their families
• Water for all so that families have water for drinking, household needs and farming

Click here to go to the Church World Service home page to learn more about the work they do. And give generously to Coins of Compassion this month!

Brethren on the Chain Gang

It's true. On any Friday night during football season you'll find three Brethren at the football field and on the chain gang.

It's Ben and Sally Hylton, members of Whitestone, and John Colbert, member at Ellisforde. Since 2000 they have been the team at every home game working the yard and down markers, known in football parlance as "the chain gang."

It's not all fun and games. There is some risk involved, and you've got to stay on your toes to get out of the way of those big high school football players. Just ask Terry Mills, member of Ellisforde, who worked the chain gang until she had her leg broken when one of them collided with her on the sideline.

And you have to be on the visitor's side of the field, staying neutral and impartial as they do their best to beat the home team. Sally says that's easier now than it was when her sons were playing football.

But after 12 years of this Ben and Sally and John are consummate pros, a team that functions as well or better than the best football team that has ever taken this field.

Thanks, Ben and Sally and John! We're proud to have you be our Brethren on the chain gang.

Meet Your Neighbor Night

The Whitestone church has begun an annual fall event called Meet Your Neighbor Night. All of our neighbors are extended a personal invitation to come and have supper with us. People started arriving at 5 o' clock and came and went as busy fall schedules allowed.

New friends were made.

Old friends caught up on the latest.

The women of the church always lay out a wonderful meal, and they outdid themselves this time.

Extended family sat down and shared a meal together, and before it was all over we all felt like one big family.

Those words on the wall say a lot about Whitestone: Love, Faith, Hope. On this night it was all about love--love of good food and fellowship, love of family and friends, and love of neighbor. We hope you can join us next year!