Newsletter

District News & Announcements – February 2021

District News & Announcements

February 2021

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by February 22nd for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

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In this issue

  1. Camp Pine Lake Updates
  2. Healing Racism Congregations and Communities Series
  3. Pastor’s Professional Growth Event: February 25
  4. Denomination-wide online worship: February 27
  5. Moderator Moment
  6. Holiness in our Midst
  7. Leadership Development Musings
  8. Church Allocations
  9. Compelling Vision Team – 13 week Bible Study
  10. Congregational Newsletters

Quick info

Calendar of Events | District Staff & Leadership Contacts | Documents & Resources

Banner photo: The entryway at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren, featuring a pillow by Susan Mack-Overla, made from a sweater that belonged to one of Panther’s newest member of our great cloud of witnesses. Send in your photos for future newsletters!  Email communications@nplains.org.

District News & Announcements – January 2021

District News & Announcements

January 2021

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by January 25th for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

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Advent Newsletter 2020

District Advent Calendar 2020

Fairview COB
Ivester COB
Panther Creek COB
Sheldon COB
South Waterloo COB

Please contact each church if you have questions about the programs mentioned below.

Other News:
The Light of Hope Returning – Concert by Shawn Kirchner

District News & Announcements – December 2020

District News & Announcements

December 2020

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by December 29th for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

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In this issue

  1. In Our Prayers
  2. Camp Pine Lake Updates
  3. BVS Informational Session & Remembering Volunteers
  4. Church of the Brethren Pandemic Resources
  5. Moderator Moment
  6. Holiness in our Midst
  7. Leadership Development Musings
  8. Lisa Ames-Kruse Begins Interim Ministry with Hammond Avenue Brethren Church
  9. Northern Plains Ministers and Churches to Receive Brethren Press Certificates
  10. Reminder: Allocation Deadline December 15th
  11. Submit your Congregation’s Events to the Advent Newsletter
  12. Congregational Newsletters

Quick info

Calendar of Events | District Staff & Leadership Contacts | Documents & Resources

Banner photo: Home Advent Wreath kits sent to members of the Church of the Brethren at Ankeny.  Photo by Barbara Wise Lewczak. Send in your photos for future newsletters!  Email communications@nplains.org.

District News & Announcements – November 2020

District News & Announcements

November 2020

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by November 24th for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

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In this issue

  1. In Our Prayers: Jerry Tobias (1948-2020)
  2. Pastor’s Professional Growth Event
  3. Message from Iowa Faith Leaders: Voting Matters
  4. Continuing Education Opportunities
  5. Moderator Moment
  6. Holiness in our Midst
  7. Leadership Development Musings
  8. Fairview Church of the Brethren Calls Thomas McMullin as Pastor
  9. Dane Mauslein Concludes Ministry at Hammond Avenue Brethren Church
  10. Treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons receives 50th ratification
  11. Reminder: Allocation Deadline December 15th
  12. Congregational Newsletters

Quick info

Calendar of Events | District Staff & Leadership Contacts | Documents & Resources

Banner photo: Picture shared by Bwambale Sedrack who writes, “The Church of the Brethren in Uganda is engaging in crop farming to increase food production which will provide food security to the orphans, widows and the poor families in our community. Please join us to thank Brother Gordon Hoffert and his wife Uli for their generous financial support towards this project. We will keep you posted!”  Send in your photos for future newsletters!  Email communications@nplains.org.

District News & Announcements – September 2020

District News & Announcements

September 2020

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by September 24th for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

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In this issue

  1. In Our Prayers: Jerry Tobias
  2. BDM Work Trip September 3rd-7th
  3. Moderator Town Hall meeting on Racism with Andrew Young
  4. Northern Plains Holds Historic 2020 Virtual District Conference
  5. Northern Plains District Board Reorganized for 2020-2021
  6. Continuing Education Opportunities
  7. Host/Camp Assistant position and College Connections at Camp Pine Lake
  8. Moderator Moment – District Conference Moderator Paul Shaver
  9. Holiness in our Midst
  10. Leadership Development Musings
  11. Rev. Patrick Jackson Called to The Church on Northland
  12. News from the Church of the Brethren in Uganda
  13. Bill and Lois Grove Move to McPherson, Kansas
  14. Congregational Newsletters

Quick info

Calendar of Events | District Staff & Leadership Contacts | Documents & Resources

Banner photo: Randy Boldt, member of the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren, uses his truck to help clear away felled trees from the derecho that hit Iowa in early August.  Photo by Kris Marshall.  Send in your photos for future newsletters!  Email communications@nplains.org.

District News & Announcements – August 2020

District News & Announcements

August 2020

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by August 25th for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

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In this issue

  1. In Our Prayers: Phyllis Kingery Ruff (corrected version)
  2. Northern Plains Holds Historic 2020 Virtual District Conference
  3. Northern Plains District Board Reorganized for 2020-2021
  4. Camp Pine Lake Virtual Camp Report and Updates
  5. Postponing Sabbath Renewal Time, Continuing Work for Justice and Peace
  6. Moderator Moment – District Conference Moderator Paul Shaver
  7. Holiness in our Midst
  8. Leadership Development Musings
  9. Congregational Newsletters

Quick info

Calendar of Events | District Staff & Leadership Contacts | Documents & Resources

Banner photo: Around 50 people joined together on Zoom for the fellowship time after the Friday night worship service, including insight session leader Frank Ramirez, UN award winner Rebecca Dali and her husband Samuel Dali.  Send in your photos for future newsletters!  Email communications@nplains.org.

District News & Announcements – July 2020

District News & Announcements

July 2020

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by July 25th for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

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Quick info

Calendar of Events | District Staff & Leadership Contacts | Documents & Resources

Banner photo: Minnesota Brethren – Carol Wise, Gordon Hoffert and Kathy Mack – joined the Interfaith Silent Clergy March on June 2nd in Minneapolis to bear witness for justice in the wake of the death of George Floyd.  Photo taken by Kim Hill-Smith.  Send in your photos for future newsletters! Email communications@nplains.org.

Special District Conference Announcements

District Conference 2020

Our 2020 Northerns Plains District Conference will be a virtual conference this year on July 31 – August 2!  We will be using the technology platforms of ZOOM and YouTube. The planning committee is planning a meaningful program of worship, an insight session, along with our worshipful work business session and some fun, fellowship time!  We are still asking you to register for conference this year.  For you to take part in conference, we need your email address and your phone number along with your mailing address so we can share needed information with you. We are very aware and sensitive about those without email and/or computer. We are doing our best to accommodate these persons.

Full Registration Packet – To be printed, filled out, and sent by mail – DUE JULY 22
– Cover Letter
– Registration Form
– Schedule
– Service Projects

Online Registration – You can register here instead of using the packet

District Payment Website – For donating and ordering printed DC booklets

Registration and other District Conference information may be found at nplains.org/dc2020/.   Please check back for updates and information of how to log-in to District Conference events.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

District Conference Support, Ida Van Westen
phone/text 507-360-7387 email: dc-suppport@nplains.org

Northern Plains District Conference

July 31,  August 1 and 2, 2020
Moderator, Lucinda Douglas
2020 THEME

One body together, helping each other!
Galatians 6:2     |     1 Corinthians 12: 12-31

Moderator Sermon

Since she is unable to visit in person, our 2020 District Conference moderator, Lucinda Douglas, has recorded a sermon to share with all congregations in the district.  Please click the image above to view and share Lucinda’s message!

District News & Announcements – March 2020

District News & Announcements

March 2020

“District News and Announcements” is a monthly e-newsletter for members and friends of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District.  District Leaders, Commissions, Committees, and those doing special ministries share information on programs and activities.  Local churches share news and invitations.  Send submissions by March 25th for inclusion in next month’s newsletter to Hannah Button-Harrison, Director of Communications, communications@nplains.org.

Trouble viewing pictures and videos? 
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In this issue

  1. In our Prayers: Todd Himlie (1958-2020)
  2. Panora Soup Luncheon: March 15 & Ecumenical Service: April 9
  3. Shawn Kirchner and the LA Master Chorale in Iowa City: March 28
  4. Jr. Youth Lock-in: March 28-29
  5. Camp Pine Lake: Cleanup Day: April 4, Call for Campers & Counselors
  6. Continuing Education Courses
  7. Nurture Commission Announcement: Youth and Young Adult Scholarships
  8. District Conference 2020 Updates
  9. Message from the Moderator
  10. Holiness in our Midst – On Small Groups
  11. Leadership Development Musings
  12. Congregational Newsletters
Quick info
Calendar of Events | District Staff & Leadership Contacts | Documents & Resources

Banner photo: South Waterloo Church serves monthly at Waterloo Salvation Army.  Photo taken by Diane Sittig. Send in your photos for future newsletters! Email communications@nplains.org.