COBCast - The Church of the Brethren Podcast

The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren has approved a Statement of Intent regarding the denominational headquarters in Elgin, Illinois.  Annual Conference begins June 28 th in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with several pre-conference events happening before that. There will be daily issues of Newsline from June 27 - July 2.  A new webpage titled "Walking Together" offers study and wor...

The Catholic Medical Mission Board has begun renting warehouse space at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland.   The daily worship services at the 2026 Annual Conference will be livestreamed free of charge with no registration required. Go to https://www.brethren.org/ac2026/webcasts/ The Review and Evaluation Committee asks questions. Brethren Volunteer Service fall applications are...

Associated Church Press awards for Messenger and Communications, EYN elevates four congregations to autonomous status as part of the 2026 EYN Church Autonomy program, Annual Conference updates, Conscientious Objection events, Deportation Defense Response events and prayer requests, personnel notes, and new ways to give. Heidi Gross presents the news with music by Carolyn Strong and EYN women.   

Learnings from the recent L.E.A.D. conference, a new Brethren Rapid Response Network supporting immigrants, a prayer request for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and surrounding countries during this latest outbreak of Ebola virus, National Youth Conference announces offerings, and Brethren Press introduces a new children's book,  Washing My Sister's Feet by Gimbiya...

Learn about a new grant to support Brethren Disaster Ministries from Lilly Endowment. Mission Advancement has launched a campaign to preserve the historic Germantown Meetinghouse and Cemetery, which dates to 1723. Hear updates from members of the Global Church of the Brethren Communion, which met in Gijon, Spain in April. And get the latest personnel news from the Church of the Brethren.  Matt DeB...

News from the Church of the Brethren world, April 28, 2026. The podcast is presented by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, news director. News includes Brethren Disaster Ministries work in North Carolina, an attack in Borno State, Nigeria, the 2026 Annual Conference business agenda, All Who Minister resources online, deadlines to apply to serve with Brethren Volunteer Service this year, an action alert fro...

Largest congregations sent leaders for a time of learning, sharing, and support, Faithful Response Immigration Gathering drew participation from the four denominations and others, Global Food Initiative awarded grants to ministries in Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, the Brethren Faith in Action Fund grants went to eight congregations and one camp, Intercultural ministries offers training for "frontli...

Opposition to FY 2027 drastic Pentagon budget increase, Brethren Disaster Ministries grants, Deportation Defense Response Team update, National Youth Sunday worship resources, open registrations, Director of Ministry position listing, Standing Committee special meeting on Eder Financial, invitation to the upcoming Intercultural Cafe. News presented by Aly Heckeroth. Special invitations from Donna...

Church of the Brethren supports asylum seekers in case before Supreme Court. Children's Disaster Services responds following tornados in Illinois and Michigan. Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church offers a book discussion on The Space Between Us: Conversations About Transforming Conflict by Betty Pries. EYN holds its 79th Majalisa. Bethany Theological Seminary board meets.  Death Row Support Project...

Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board March 2026 meeting, ransomeware attack, Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church events, open registrations, personnel notes, and more. Piano played by Nancy Sollenberger Heishman. 

Learn about Brethren Disaster Ministries grants, FaithX trips, news from Nigeria, events, personnel changes and more. This episode features news from the March 7 issue of Newsline. Find out more at www.brethren.org/news .  Additional links from this episode include: the Emergency Disaster Fund , L.E.A.D. conference , L.E.A.D. Third Thursday webinars , and conscientious objection.   This episode is...

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Dina Milito. Carolyn Strong plays the piano.  Check out this audio series through  Messenger Radio , watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in t...

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Ruth Aukerman. Nancy Miner plays the piano.  Check out this audio series through  Messenger Radio , watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in th...

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Jess Hoffert. Nancy Miner plays the piano.  Check out this audio series through  Messenger Radio , watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the...

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Paul Stutzman. Nancy Miner plays "It is well" on piano.  Check out this audio series through  Messenger Radio , watch for upcoming written and video interviews, an...

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Kurt Borgmann and David Waas. Nancy Miner plays "Move in our Midst" and Kara Miller plays "I have decided to follow Jesus" on piano.  Check out this audio series t...

As founder Rachel Gross retires after 45 years of directing the Death Row Support Project, faithful penpals share stories of their relationships with people sentenced to death. In this episode, Rachel Gross and Anna Lisa Gross interview Paige Butzlaff. Nancy Miner plays piano.  Check out this audio series through Messenger Radio , watch for upcoming written and video interviews, and join in the gr...

Duane Grady reads "A Special Christmas Eve" from the December issue of Messenger . Kara Miller plays "In the bleak midwinter" and Nancy Miner plays "Let all mortal flesh keep silent" and "There's a song in the air." 

"Some of the disciples went to the tomb to see for themselves. They just couldn't comprehend what the women were telling them. "Why didn't they believe them? Why didn't they have faith? "Why don't we? Do we continue to stare into an empty tomb?" Traci Rabenstein reads her article "Are we still at the tomb?"  Carolyn Strong plays piano. 

A large kitchen table was the place they were unconditionally loved. Paul Grout tells the story in "A place for you at the table." Violin by Jan Fischer Bachman.

Theopoet Brian Nixon reads nine of his poems, accompanied by original music.

From our foundation, the essence of the Church of the Brethren is the willingness of women and men to study scripture together until we reach consensus, regardless of how long that takes. Sometimes it takes decades, but we can afford to be patient. We love Jesus. We love the Word.

Anna Lisa Gross and Nancy Faus read an excerpt from Angela Finet's Advent devotional, "Do Not Be Afraid" and ponder waiting. Piano recording by Lucas Finet. 

Randal Westfall describes how the long, hot days of summer give way to the cool, crisp air where night and darkness are lengthening, when both night and day are equally balanced. Autumn is about slowing into contemplative aspects of life. If we are attentive to God's Holy Spirit, then we recognize autumn's invitation as God's people to harvest, celebrate, and share in the abundance of our lives. A...

A poem by Debbie Eisenbise. Piano by Nancy Miner.