Worship Center

Weather: Mostly cloudy and slightly cooler after an overnight thunderstorm, with highs in the upper 80s.

Key events: Beginning items of new business and study papers in the business sessions; 20th anniversary luncheons for Church of the Brethren Association of Christian Educators and Disaster Child Care, as well as a Church-in-Mission Dinner with Gerald & Rebecca Baile Crouse, a Bethany Theological Seminary alumni luncheon, and others; Christian Peacemaker Teams witness on violent toys; and ongoing Bible study, worship, age-group activities, and insight sessions.

Quotes of the day: "It is better to shoot for the moon and miss it than aim for a skunk and hit it." -- Brethren Revival Fellowship leader Jim Myer during the morning business session, explaining why Annual Conference should take a lead in setting goals and vision for evangelism. It came in response to a new business item on "Personal Evangelism and Church Growth."

At the Church-in-Mission dinner, mission
coordinators Jerry and Becky Baile Crouse with
their daughter Christy and David Reyes, pastor of
the Nuevo Renacer church teach some of their
favorite songs from the Dominican Republic.

"My hope is that each of you feel joyful as I feel in this hour. . . . before I knew you in the Spirit; now I know you face to face." -- Dominican Republic Brethren moderator David Reyes, speaking through a translator as international guests were welcomed.

Business: A query to update discipleship and reconciliation polity was passed; a study committee will be selected Tuesday; A query to study and clarify the relationship between Discipleship and Reconciliation committees and Ethics committees in districts ("Concerning Discipleship and Reconciliation") was accepted; A query on "The Role and Relationship of District Executives to the Church of the Brethren" was returned, following a Standing Committee recommendation; a query on "Personal Evangelism and Church Growth" was returned by a narrow vote (443-404, 37 abstaining). Discussion began on the Congregational Structure paper. The Pastoral Benefits and Advisory Committee recommended a 3.1 percent increase for the pastoral salary scale in 2001, and it was accepted by delegates. International guests were also welcomed. Elections were held and results tallied, with Paul Grout being chosen as moderator-elect. Full results will be given in Newsline.

Giving a rousing sermon at worship, Belita Mitchell
tells the Church of the Brethren to "Walk in Love."

Worship: Speaker, Belita Mitchell; worship leader, Jeff Carter.

Mitchell energized the Conference congregation with a spirited message about unity and overcoming barriers. She quoted a Tina Turner lyric, saying that many people are asking, "What's love got to do with it?" But the church must show love, she said, looking in the mirror and asking "Do I reflect the love of Christ and the love for Christ in my life?"

She talked about some of the stumbling blocks in the church, such as a lack of positions for women in ministry and having churches close in neighborhoods where the church is needed most and said, "We can't carry on and pretend (barriers) don't exist." We must find a unity built on love and respect, she said, because we are Christ's church. "Can Christ count on us?" she concluded. "Only you have the answer!"

The worship also included a time of communion, some contemporary songs, more beautiful instrumental music, and drama.

Moderator Emily Mumma and Spiritual Advisor
Ellen Morseth keep the focus on spirituality by
using Worshipful-Work in business.

Other news & notes:

• Brethren Benefit Trust held its 5K Fitness Challenge Walk/Run Monday, and David Brunk of Falmouth, Va., took first among male runners with a time of 20 minutes, 40 seconds. Jill Keeney of Huntingdon, Pa., topped female runners at 24:52. Among walkers, Bev Anspaugh of Cincinnati was the first-place female and Art Hunn of Polo, Ill., was the first-place male. About 40 people participated in warm and humid conditions.
• A group from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., carried hateful signs against homosexuals on a corner across from the convention center and was greeted by Brethren who discussed Scripture with them, offered them beverages, and joined in a prayer circle amongst them and sang and prayed. A group member said the independent church's "street witness" typically holds six of the pickets per day.
• Official registration neared 3,500 by Monday evening.
• Vice President Al Gore will be holding a rally across the street from the convention center Tuesday. Conference speaker Emanuel Cleaver will introduce him there before joining the Brethren for worship.