Saturday, June 30

Moderator Phill Carlos Archbold delivers the opening message, "Revive Us Again."

WEATHER: Mostly sunny, hot, and humid in the 90s with an early evening thunderstorm.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: The 215th Annual Conference officially opens with evening worship, followed by insight sessions, hearings on upcoming business items, Bible study, welcoming of new church fellowships, and age-group activities. Earlier in the day, the General Board, Standing Committee, and other groups held meetings, the Association of Brethren Caregivers held its annual recognition dinner, and Brethren Volunteer Service "Pilot House" project volunteers held a reunion at the University of Baltimore. The main exhibit hall opened in the afternoon, and an early-evening concert featured "The Singing Sisters."

TODAY'S QUOTE: "We are one of these two things in Christ's work: We are either helpers or hinderers." – 2001 Annual Conference moderator Phill Carlos Archbold in the opening worship sermon.

Sermon Text

WORSHIP: The service began with a rousing fanfare while a processional of Brethren worship symbols–a candle and a basin and towel–and banners from most of the denomination's 23 districts marched down the center aisle. Worship leader Paul Grout delivered a powerful, emotion-filled litany of confession, followed by the first singing of "We Praise Thee, O God," which contains the chorus "Revive Us Again"–the Conference theme.

A procession of district banners begins worship.

Archbold's message was delivered with his usual passion and energy as he called Conferencegoers to have a "vibrant New Testament faith." He said that he is "excited about what the Church of the Brethren will be like in the 21st century," and went on to give numerous characteristics of what that church might look like. The York (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren choir followed his message with an anthem of "Blessed Assurance."

NOTES: In the daily Conference "Journal," editor Fred Swartz notes that the last time Conference was in Baltimore, in 1983, delegates had 27 items of business on the agenda–many of them major. This year's agenda is significantly lighter, but still contains several key items. Business begins tomorrow afternoon. ... Standing Committee narrowed down the ballot this week, selecting Harriet Wenger Finney and Karen Peterson Miller as the final candidates for moderator-elect. ... General Board Congregational Life Teams offered a Brethren heritage coloring book as a special children's worship resource Saturday evening. ... Those recognized by the Association of Brethren Caregivers this year–all previously announced–were Robert D. Cain Jr., J.H. Caricofe, Robert B. Di Matteo, and Fred W. Swartz.