Monday, July 1

Delegates prepare themselves to handle a heavy load of business on Monday morning.

WEATHER: Partly to mostly cloudy, hot and muggy, high in the low 90s.

KEY EVENTS: Morning and afternoon business sessions, Brethren Press breakfast, Brethren Benefit Trust/Mutual Aid Association Fitness Challenge (5K run/walk race), Denominational Deacons Luncheon, Brethren Volunteer Service Luncheon, farewell reception for outgoing Annual Conference executive director Duane Steiner (see story, page 2), Congregational Life Ministries dinner, Global Ministries dinner, evening worship.

TODAY'S QUOTES: "It's a wonderful day that we finally come to today. It took us 120 years to get here. . . . This is a grand day!" — delegate Paul Steiner of Mountville, Pa., cheering the Resolution on the Brethren Church that called for repentance from the stubbornness that had caused brokenness and led a split between the denominations in the 1880s. The resolution passed unanimously.

"What you are bringing to us, we will be eternally grateful for." – moderator Paul Grout, thanking the visitors from the international Church of the Brethren as they were introduced. Grout, the visitors from Nigeria and the Dominican Republic, and Global Mission Partnerships staff then raised hands together, and the delegate body followed suit.

Runners and walkers make their way along the Ohio River for the annual BBT/MAA Fitness Challenge.

BUSINESS: Delegates delved into the meat of the business on Monday, considering questions related to congregational moderators, the denomination's name, a resolution on the Brethren Church, and guidelines on continuing education and sabbath rest for ministers. Each business session began with some jokes and comedy to lighten the heavy business load.

The delegates affirmed a Standing Committee recommendation asking Annual Conference Council to direct a revision and update of existing Annual Conference statements related to moderators and to bring the revision back to the 2003 Annual Conference in Boise, Idaho. They also unanimously gave formal approval to a resolution on the Brethren Church – adopted as a study paper a year ago – seeking reconciliation and cooperation between the two denominations that were once one.

Many people lined up at the microphones to speak – sometimes passionately -- to two queries, treated together, on whether to begin dialog on a possible change to the denomination's name. Delegates eventually narrowly approved the Standing Committee recommendation to form a five-person study committee that will promote "a denomination-wide dialogue and report its progress to Annual Conference in 2003."

Delegates also gave strong approval to guidelines on continuing education and sabbath rest for ministers, heard the report of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, and welcomed international guests. The Annual Conference 300th Anniversary Committee gave its report and announced a theme for the 2008 Conference: "Surrendered, Transformed, Empowered."

WORSHIP: South Bay Community Church of the Brethren (Redondo Beach, Calif.) pastor Valentina Satvedi spoke at Monday evening's service, speaking on "The Heart of the Matter" using texts from Luke and Matthew and focusing on being who we're called to be. "We are called not just to do the work of the kingdom, but to be the kingdom," she said. The service began with several praise songs, and the choir again shared an anthem. ...

The Conference choir shares an anthem for the evening worship.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: The Dominican Republic youth worship team (see story, page 3) shared in an insight session and also at the Global Ministries dinner. . . . The Brethren Benefit Trust/Mutual Aid Association Fitness Challenge 5K run/walk was held Monday morning, with Aaron Lahman of Glendale, Ariz., finishing as the top male runner in 17:40 and Deb Crouse Morris of Charlottesville, Va., the top female runner in 20:39. Dave Fouts (35:33) of Maysville, W.Va., was the top male walker, and Bev Anspaugh (33:53) of Mt. Joy, Pa., the top female walker. Fouts, Morris, and Anspaugh all had record times for the four years BBT has hosted the event. . . . Warren Eshbach of Thomasville, Pa., was elected chair of the General Board at the board's reorganization meeting Monday evening. Donna Shumate was called as vice chair. . . . A stream of Brethren passed through a line to give their thanks and best wishes to Duane Steiner, retiring after 10 years as Annual Conference executive director.

BITS FROM THE CONFERENCE JOURNAL AND ELSEWHERE:

A total of 922 delegates and 2,834 non-delegates had registered through Sunday night, a total of 3,746. . . . The annual quilt auction will be held after the close of business on Tuesday. . . . Sunday morning's worship service was attended by 3,674 people, and an offering of $11,054.45 was received. . . . The Annual Conference blood drive began Sunday with 51 donors coming in four hours. . . . Christian Peacemaker Teams, the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, and the Womaen's Caucus have been doing joint street prayers each afternoon.