SATURDAY, JULY 15

Weather: Mostly sunny and hot; highs near 100.

Key events: Registration for delegates and non-delegates; exhibits open; opening worship service with speaker Emily Mumma; hearings on several papers to come before the delegates in future days; initial youth, young adult, and single adult activities. Several organizations, including the Church of the Brethren General Board and Annual Conference Standing Committee also held meetings during the day, and the Association of Brethren Caregivers held its recognition dinner.

Quotes of the day: "Anything that invades the heart affects the whole human body. . . . The heart built by Jesus Christ is a heart that won't be invaded by fear." -- General Board member Warren Eshbach during the board's devotions.

Business decisions: No sessions held.

During the energy-filled opening worship, Moderator Emily Mumma shares her story of love , throwing fuzzies out to the Brethren fellowship as a symbol of the strong but soft love of God.

Worship: Speaker, Emily Mumma; worship leader, Phill Carlos Archbold.

Mumma used two very familiar passages, John 3:16 and I Corinthians 13, challenging the Conference congregation to hear them in a new way, especially in a world where the word "love" is often used so casually. She called God's love a remedy for our fears, doubts, and feelings of inadequacy.

She closed by telling a story of a woman in her home congregation of Hollidaysburg, Pa., who has a neurological disorder and found new purpose in life by creating "fuzzies" -- tight balls made of yarn that represent love in all its facets. The woman made enough fuzzies to be tossed out to everyone in the large crowd, and soon they were bouncing off everyone and everything. "This is a fuzzy," Mumma said, holding one up, "and it's full of love ... packed with God's love."

The service also featured an array of music accompanied by brass, guitar, and flute, and an anthem from the McPherson (Kan.) choir. Keith Hollenberg introduced a flowing song he wrote based on the theme, "Love as I Have Loved You." (Click at left for sermon text)

Other news & notes:

• The 2000 Annual Conference opens at the first in the new format, running Saturday evening to Wednesday morning.
• Three new fellowships were introduced at the start of Saturday evening's worship: Living Faith in South/Central Indiana; Lake View in Southern Pennsylvania; and Stonewall in Virlina District.
• The General Board met on Friday and declared a solid financial picture, though aware of challenges to continue that in the future; eliminated its current subcommittee structure with plans to implement a new, pro-active forum; heard various updates; and affirmed signing on to a

  At the Association of Brethren Caregivers Recognition Dinner, Marilyn Lerch Scott presents an award of recognition to Laura Abernathy for her long-time ministry to people with disabilities.

  National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Working Group resolution on clean air principles.
• The Association of Brethren Caregivers honored four people at a dinner awards banquet: Laura Abernathy (pictured at right with Marilyn Lerch Scott, Ernest Barr, Shawn Decker, and Tana Durnbaugh, for their contributions to the caregiving field in the Church of the Brethren.