Ice and fire. No, not the epic Game of Thrones saga but the very real elements some endured to gather for the Western Plains District Leadership Training in Great Bend, Kan.

Registration for the Church of the Brethren’s L.E.A.D. (Listen Equip Adapt Disciple) Conference is now open at www.brethren.org/dlf/lead-conference. This year’s conference is May 1-3 at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren and also open to virtual attendees. The scripture theme is Hebrews 11:8, which talks about Abraham following God through unfamiliar territory—certainly an apt description of church leadership today!

Nancy Sollenberger Heishman will retire on July 17 as director of the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office, after holding the position for almost nine years. She started as director of Ministry on Nov. 6, 2017.

A meeting of leaders of the largest Church of the Brethren congregations, in terms of in-person worship attendance, is being convened by Discipleship and Leadership Formation on Feb. 23-25 in Orlando, Fla. Spouses of the leaders also were invited.

Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries is inviting you to an online workshop held via Zoom on the topic, “Why Can’t They See What I See?” The event is scheduled for Feb. 7 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (Eastern time). The event will feature professor Jonathan Kim of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.