Modesto Church of the Brethren

“Day of Respect” in the Modesto City high schools was founded in 1998 by Sharon Froba, a Modesto High School English teacher who daily witnessed disrespectful speech and behavior on her campus and determined to do something to allow her students to feel the effects of intolerance. She brought community volunteers with stories of life with disabilities, or discrimination based on ethnic identity, skin color or sexual orientation. Her aim was “to change the world, one heart at a time.”

Sharon Froba has worked with the Witness Commission to create a “Night of Respect” for our congregation. Please come to Faith Bites for dinner at the usual time, 6 PM on May 21 and stay to celebrate diversity by listening with an open heart to three personal stories. The program begins at 7 PM. Our speakers will be our own Mike Castaneda, who looks at his life as a Latino in a majority Anglo culture; Rene Patterson, who grew up as an African-American in the segregated Southeast; and Jeanette Rosenthal, who learned something about her daughter that turned her world upside down.

Plan to listen and dialog with these three persons. Questions are welcome at the end of each person’s story. There will be an opportunity for further informal visiting in the narthex at the end of the evening, where punch and cookies will be served.

The Witness Commission is sponsoring this event to help us as a congregation begin to live more fully into our Welcome Statement.

In celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren, Felton Daniels, a member of the Modesto Church of the Brethren, wrote this skit of John Kline and Anna Mow (historical figures of the Church of the Brethren).  Felton and his granddaughter Kelsey, brought the figures to life with this entertaining and informative skit.  Please feel free to print up copies as needed.

John Kline & Anna Mow Skit

The Health & Healing ministry of the Modesto Church of the Brethren holds an annual health fair to promote wellness and healthy living.  This year’s fair will focus on the theme  ”Being Family: Reality & Renewal”. 

We invite you to join us on Sunday, April 20th, from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  There will be door prizes, displays, and a healthy lunch will be served.  All are welcome!  Here’s a glance of what to expect at the Health Fair:

9:30 a.m.  Panel discussion on families, stress and renewal

11:00 a.m.  Worship - focus on wholenss in families.

12:00 p.m.  Lunch with speaker, Kathy Klein.  Kathy has been a family therapist for 13 years.  She also works with foster families, Child Protective Services for Stanislaus County.  Kathy topic for this event will be “Hope for Fragile or Fractured Families”.

Modesto Church of the Brethren is currently seeking to fill two positions. The Community Outreach Coordinator is a fulltime, salaried, benefited position. The Communication Assistant is part-time hourly position. Both positions are supported by a Companion Grant from the Pacific Southwest District Church of the Brethren. You may look at the position descriptions and application information by clicking on the links below.

The Administrative Assistant position has now been filled. Thank you for your interest and our best to you as you continue your job search.

Interested applicants can email resumes to jobs@modcob.org. Please indicate in the subject line the position that you are applying for.

Community Outreach Coordinator

Communications Assistant

March 21

12:15 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 16th & I streets in downtown Modesto

7:00 p.m. College Avenue UCC, Orangeburg & College streets, Tenebrae service of lights

Join us as we join with other congregations in remembering the last day of Jesus’ life.

Join with brothers and sisters as we gather for a time of reflection, feetwashing, a shared meal, and then communion, as we remember Jesus’ last night with his disciples and the important teachings he was making real among them.

Thursday, March 20, 6:30 p.m.

Journey to the Cross

Join us on the evening of Palm Sunday, March 16, at 7:00 p.m. for a musical beginning to Holy Week. This is a free concert featuring the Vocal and Handbell Choirs.

March 11, 12:00 noon

Caring for aging parents or a spouse is something that many people are now faced with. Karleen Daniels works for the Valley Care Giver Resource Center and will talk about the resources available through VCGRC. A prepared lunch will be served at noon, cost $3.

To RSVP for lunch email the office.

Questions? Email Margaret Johnson, Senior Ministries Coordinator