SUNDAY, JULY 16

Weather: Mostly sunny and hot; highs in the mid-90s

Key events: An energetic morning worship service; luncheons for all the Brethren colleges/university; the opening business session with the Brethren Ministries Live report; an early evening concert by David Haas; dinners for Messenger, cross-cultural ministries, and outreach; and Bible studies, spiritual development activities, insight sessions, and age-group activities throughout the day.

Joel Nogle shares his gift of music after delivering the morning message.

Quotes of the day: "It is the issues that tear us apart. . . . It is the love of Christ that holds us together." -- General Board executive director Judy Mills Reimer during the Messenger dinner.

Business: The five Annual Conference agencies joined together to present "Brethren Ministries Live," highlighting the ways they are at work in the denomination. Delegates also heard about the "Worshipful-Work" format that would be used, saw the ballot that Standing Committee finalized earlier in the week, and heard agency reports.

David Reyes and Gilbert Romero celebrate during the Cross-Cultural dinner.

Worship: Speaker, Joel Nogle; worship leader, Renee Davis.

Nogle urged another large gathering of Brethren to "open up the gift" of salvation and boundless love they have been given by God and to enjoy that gift. He said that God has a "heart for lost people," and challenged everyone to help spread God's grace and love.

"Look around this morning, and you won't see anyone who wasn't created in the image of the Creator," he said. He later added, "You are in the right hands, and they are nail-pierced hands."

Nogle finished by sitting down at the piano and singing a moving song, "Leave a Light on for Me." The worship also included abundant music and singing led by music coordinator Leslie Lake, prayer, and a story of testimony from Sarah Malone.

Janet West Schrock shares about Heifer Project during a morning insight session.

Other news & notes:

• Christian Peacemaker Teams has been visiting several dozen toy stores in the Kansas City area, surveying the level of violence in the types of toys they sell. They plan to announce those who performed best by presenting certificates tomorrow.
• Fletcher Farrar announced that theologian Walter Wink has been secured as the speaker for next year's Messenger dinner, which will celebrate the magazine's 150th anniversary.
• Moderator Emily Mumma opened business for the 214th Annual Conference not only with the traditional gavel, but also a symbol meaningful to her -- a prayer bell.
• Paul Grout (Putney, Vt.) and Joan Hershey (Mt. Joy, Pa.) appear on the final ballot from Standing Committee as candidates for moderator-elect. Voting is Monday morning, for that position and many others.