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About the 2006 Annual Conference Logo
Together: Exercise Daily in God
In keeping with the 2006 Annual Conference theme, this logo design was a collaborative effort. The artwork for the word “Together” was borrowed with permission from Debbie Noffsinger’s logo for “Together: Conversations on Being the Church.” This is also the first time that I have executed a Conference logo in Spanish, and I would like to thank Nadine Monn for the translation which made that possible.
Spiritual disciplines are an indispensable part of the Christian walk. Moderator Ron Beachley recognized this in his choice of the text from 1 Timothy 4:6-8, and in his monthly Scripture and Prayer Challenge that many of us have been following through out the past year. Bible study, prayer, growth, witness and service, and perseverance are each hallmarks of Christian commitment and discipleship. When practiced together, they contribute to a balanced and mature Christian life. But these disciplines aren’t merely for us as individuals; when we practice these together in community with other believers, we not only exercise our own privilege as Christians, we build up the body of Christ. I wanted to represent each of the five disciplines which will be topics of the Conference worship services, but also show that they are held together, and that they hold us together.
I feel that quilting is a rich metaphor for our life as a denomination: we bring our individual gifts, passions, voices, and convictions and offer them to be made into a whole pattern which is greater than the sum of its pieces. Beautiful quilts thoughtfully incorporate a wide variety of color, and make use of contrasting, as well as complementary color. If we are to be a vibrant denomination, we need to affirm diversity in our midst, and see that each piece works together to form a whole which honors Jesus Christ. The colors which are paired with the spiritual disciplines are intended to represent the full spectrum of our Christian experience, and should be combined in a witness that is sensitive, creative, and beautiful.
The Church of the Brethren is blessed with people who understand quilting. One of them, Jean Mann, is a member of my own congregation. Jean sees to my material needs, and does the cutting and stitching of fabric for designs that I can only imagine. She is the craftswoman behind a series of quilted chancel cloths which I’ve designed for Conference worship services and which are integral to my understanding of Paul’s injunction to “Exercise daily in God.” Rachel Brown and other members of AACB contributed their time and skill in the fabric arts to make these quilts a reality. My journey has been blessed by the variety of gifts and the generosity of those around me; I pray that our denomination will be blessed and will be a blessing to others as we exercise our faith together in Des Moines.
Rosanna McFadden
Logo artist
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Click here for more information about the 2006 Annual Conference theme.
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Annual Conference
