Sunday, June 30

Gene Roop, center, joins worship leaders for a closing song at Sunday morning's worship.

WEATHER: Partly cloudy, warm and muggy, high again near 90.

KEY EVENTS: Morning all-Conference Sunday school and worship service, Brethren college alumni luncheons, "Christ Alive: The Story of the Church" presentation and opening business session; reports of Annual Conference agencies; Messenger dinner featuring keynote speaker former US Sen. Paul Simon

TODAY'S QUOTES: "You learn that small things really change the world, and the ripples go in ways you'll never know." — former US Sen. Paul Simon, at the Messenger dinner

"This work is a calling and a continuation of my spiritual journey." — newly called Annual Conference executive director Lerry Fogle, who will begin work in late 2002

David Young of Pennsylvania shares comments during Sunday's opening business session.

BUSINESS: Delegates took little formal action on the first official day of Conference business, with sessions in the afternoon and evening. The "Christ Alive" multimedia production on the denomination's ministries (see page 2) took up much of the afternoon session, along with adoption of the agenda and the presentation of the ballot. Moderator Paul Grout lamented the presence of a large US flag hanging at the back of the main hall, contrasting it with the Annual Conference logo banner at the front of the hall. "I don't face that banner," Grout said. "I face another banner, and I'm not sure quite what to do. I find myself in conflict even as we begin. . . . When we focus on the kingdom of God, these become confusing symbols." Grout said that the convention center declined a request to take it down, but he would later consider a motion to "suspend business until that symbol is gone" if the holiness and attitude of the Conference demanded it. He poured ashes on his head as a symbol of repentance and held up the chalice that has become a symbol of his term as moderator as he declared business open. The evening session had reports from the various Annual Conference agencies.

WORSHIP: Bethany Theological Seminary president Gene Roop spoke on "Two Songs to Sing," contrasting our songs of fear and trouble with those of hope and promise, using passages from the Psalms and several stories to illustrate the balance of those two journeys in our lives. "We as a church have two songs to sing, two songs to pray," he said. "We know fear . . . but we do not know fear alone, for we live in a body, the body of Christ." The service included a variety of vibrant songs spanning a mix of contemporary and traditional, soft and energetic. A powerful anthem by the choir featuring soloist Erin Matteson highlighted the musical offerings, drawing a loud ovation.

Hannah Matteson, Emma Hutchinson, Emily Huffaker, Joshua Oldham, and Adam Kuruzovich have fun with Play-Doh in grades K-2 activities.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Former US Sen. Paul Simon's address came to a large, sold-out crowd in a Hyatt Regency ballroom (see story, page 3). . . . The morning Sunday school Bible study sessions featured creative sharing from Bethany professor Tara Hornbacker, Richmond (Ind.) pastor Kelly Burk, and White Oak (Manheim, Pa.) minister Jim Myer. Hornbacker used a visual display of baking bread, and Myer joked that he wished she had finished baking it before his "half-baked" message. "Think about how the yeast that God has put in our heart can work," Hornbacker said. Burk's presentation featured a drama of a gospel parable, and Myer mixed in humorous anecdotes as he reflected on the parable of the prodigal son. . . . Annual Conference Council chair Earl Ziegler introduced Fogle as the new Annual Conference executive director. He is understudying with current, outgoing director Duane Steiner this week.

BITS FROM THE CONFERENCE JOURNAL AND ELSEWHERE: About one-third of this year's delegates are serving in that role for the first time. . . .Saturday evening's worship service was attended by 4,014 people. The offering total was $7,328.07. . . . Congregational Life Team members are providing activity packets for children at each Conference worship service. . . . Brethren Benefit Trust announced that Steve Mason had been elected to sit on the board as a representative of the agencies. Delegates also affirmed Richard Pogue as a new BBT board member. . . . Standing Committee elected members Jim Myer, Kathy Hess, Harold Yeager, and Jim Beckwith to its Nominating Committee on Friday. They join four continuing members on the committee.