At a special service between its two Sunday worship services on Sunday, January 18th, 2026, the Berlin Brethren Church in Berlin, PA, received 5 new deacons onto its Deacon Board. Brethren Elders officiating the service were Rev. Luke Dowdy, Rev. Tom Sprowls, Jr., Rev. Dr. John Shultz, and Rev. Scott Soden.
New deacons ordained were Mary Margaret Werner, Cory Sechler, Audrey Sechler, Rick Showers, and Bill Hersch. These new deacons were nominated by members of the church in September, reviewed by the deacon board in October, and affirmed by a 2/3 majority of church membership at its annual congregational meeting in November.
Rev. Dr. John Shultz was the guest speaker at both of the Berlin Brethren Church services that morning. His message was titled “The Scandalous Grace of God,” based on Joshua 2. The Berlin Brethren Church is Dr. Shultz’s boyhood home church, which called him into ministry years ago.
Respectfullly Submitted,
Tom Sprowls
Pastor, Berlin Brethren Church