Wednesday, July 4

A circle of friends and leaders surround 2002 moderator Paul Grout and moderator-elect Harriet Wenger Finney in a consecration service.

WEATHER: Partly sunny and warm with highs around 80 by noon.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Planned giving breakfast, final Bible study electives and insight sessions; closing worship and activities for children and youth; closing business session; closing worship with speaker Christy Waltersdorff; commissioning service for new moderator and moderator-elect with "passing of the gavel" to 2002 moderator Paul Grout; Ministers Association meetings begin.

TODAY'S QUOTES: "The bottom line of my heart's desire is that Jesus Christ be lifted up, and I feel that has happened here this week. God bless you." -- 2001 moderator Phill Carlos Archbold, in closing remarks.

"In this passage, Jesus insults two of my favorite groups--dogs and kids." -- Christy Waltersdorff, talking about a scripture from Matthew as she began her message.

WORSHIP: Worship began with a rousing prelude of "Brethren, We Have Met to Worship" and continued with a processional, prayer, and singing. Janet Naill of Baltimore shared a moving testimony about her life growing up and into the present, followed by a ringing solo by Josh Brumbaugh. In the offertory statement, worship leader Joe Mason shared memories of Annual Conferences past and thinking about how much they must cost.

Sermon Text

In her message, Waltersdorff--pastor of the York Center congregation in Lombard, Ill.--preached on stories of Jesus from the book of Matthew, focusing on the story where a Canaanite woman begs for--and finally receives--a blessing from Jesus. "This woman is the only person I know of in the whole New Testament who argues with Jesus and wins. This Canaanite woman wrenches a blessing from Jesus," Waltersdorff said. "She accepts a crumb from Jesus because she knows even the crumbs are life-changing." Waltersdorff called it a "new order of God breaking out," expanding the circle to the Gentiles.

Calling it one of the many wonderful surprises in the Bible, she said the Holy Spirit continues to move in ways that surprise us today, often pushing us; Brethren must be open to that movement and life-giving power if they are to be revived today. "When our focus turns inward, we cannot revive ourselves," she said. "Maybe before we follow God's call to go out and serve, maybe we should get our own house in order," she added, suggesting we must open the doors to our churches wider, be quicker to forgive, support our leaders, and put aside our own agendas in order to allow the agenda of Jesus Christ to work.

Children in grades K-2 enjoy a puppet show before departure Wednesday morning.

BUSINESS: Only a few items remained for Wednesday morning, including the Standing Committee's report. The committee reported on its consultation with Annual Conference agency executives and board chair, which it plans to continue. Allen Hansell, director of Ministry for the General Board, reported that the goal of 500 new ministers in five years in well under way just over halfway through that period. Three hundred Church of the Brethren licensed ministers are currently in training.

NOTES: The Brethren Benefit Trust golf outing will take place in the Baltimore area on Thursday. ... Attendance for Tuesday evening's worship–competing with a Baltimore Orioles game next door to the convention center–was 2,540. Offering was $12,008. ... A black hands candle holder was a popular item at the SERRV booth, forcing a restock during the week.