Who We Are

Welcome to the Canton Church of the Brethren, a community of faith that values dignity, putting it into practice by fostering wholeness, balance, and peace through respect of God’s creation .

Our Staff

*Link to Staff Bio page

Our Purpose:

To offer another way of living by continuing the work of Jesus Peacefully, Simply, and Together. As we share our faith with others, invite them into the fellowship of believers, offer opportunities and experiences to grow spiritually, honor God through worship, and equip people to serve others.

The Canton (IL) Church of the Brethren congregation has an identity that is partially defined by our affiliation with the Church of the Brethren denomination. Our full identity is completed from within the context of our life together as a unique and functioning congregation. Understanding our uniqueness as a congregation shaped both by our denominational affiliation and the context of our congregational life, we have created an identifying logo unique to this congregation.

Learn more about the Church of the Brethren by visiting the link HERE.

Our History:

The Church of the Brethren began 300 years ago in Germany by a group of believers simply committed to doing what Jesus did. In this manner, we like to think of ourselves as simply continuing this work of Jesus in our community today. As one of just three historic peace churches, the Church of the Brethren is particularly known for its commitment to peaceful living.

Discover more about the denominational history of our church by visiting the link HERE.

Brethren Denomination Logo:

brethrenlogo

An Open Circle – The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) instructs us to “go and make disciples of all nations” indicating that all people are to be invited and welcomed into the circle of Christian fellowship and love. The circle can be added to and expanded as long as it remains open.

The Cross – Central to our faith is Jesus the Christ. The cross is symbolic of God’s fullness dwelling in Christ, who reconciled all things to God “by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Col. 1:18-20). The cross also symbolizes that those who wish to be followers of Christ will deny self and “take up their cross” and follow him (Matt. 16:24).

The Dove and Olive Branch – We are advocates of and for peace. Peace is a calmness in life provided by the Holy Comforter and unlike anything the world has to offer (John 14:27). As recipients of this peace, we are called to share it with the world around us through acts of mercy and justice instead of exploitative power and violence. Jesus commends “peacemakers” and calls them “children of God” (Matt. 5:9).

The Basin – We are called to be unselfish and humble, regarding others better than ourselves by putting the interests of others above our own which indicates the mind of Christ being in us (Phil. 2:3-5). We symbolize this humble way of life through an act of feetwashing that Jesus ordained (John 13:1-15). We live out our humility by putting our faith into action (James 2:14-26: Matt. 25:31-36) as we faithfully fulfill the call of “serving others.”

Affiliated with the CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN Denomination.