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Conference secretary Fred Swartz, center, helps delegates through a procedural maze.
Weather: Stellar sunshine continues, high in the 90s.
Key Events: BBT Fitness Challenge 5K, Brethren Press breakfast, Bible studies and insight sessions, business sessions, Denominational Deacons Luncheon and Un-Luncheon, farewell reception for retiring general secretary Judy Mills Reimer (see page 2), Global Ministries Dinner, evening worship, age-group activities, ice cream social.
Quotes of the Day: "The challenge is for us to unearth the stories that will . . . unite us." — General Board director of Interpretation Howard Royer, at the Brethren Press breakfast. Royer is retiring in August after 50 years of service with the General Board.
"I have been living in Lancaster County for 17 years, and I believe now I have the Pennsylvania Dutch accent!" — Guillermo Encarnacion, General Board coordinator of theological education in the Dominican Republic, joking about his native Dominican inflection.
"This Conference indeed has been bathed in prayer, and that is as it should be." — moderator Harriet Finney, in opening remarks before the business session.
Dan Ulrich talks about abiding in Christ in Monday evening's sermon.
Business: Delegates began dealing with unfinished and new business items, held elections, and heard several reports. Jim Hardenbrook, pastor of nearby Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren, was called as moderator-elect (other election results can be found below). The Denominational Name Study Committee asked for an received a continuance of one year to conduct further dialogue and listening sessions. They will report back in 2004, possibly with a recommendation. Delegates approved the Standing Committee recommendation for the Query on Congregational Disagreement with Annual Conference Decisions, voting to create a five-member study committee that will report back next year. Committee members will be elected Tuesday. An unfinished business item on The Duties and Relationships of Moderators to the Church of the Brethren Organizational Structure was referred back to the Annual Conference Council for a rewrite with new suggestions. The council was to appoint a committee to assist it in this task. Delegates overwhelmingly adopted a Standing Committee recommendation to return the query on The Person and Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ to Southern Ohio District, while reaffirming the Annual Conference statements referred to in the query. The recommendation suggests that the Scriptures, and especially the New Testament, should be used diligently in understanding the concerns presented. Finally, delegates acted on the Query for Clarification of Confusion stemming from the 2002 Conference decision to not recognize the licensing and ordination of homosexuals. After sometimes contentious discussion, the body voted to send the complex query to the Annual Conference Council, so that the council could interpret the 2002 decision and provide an answer to Michigan District, which sent the query. Jay Carter (South/Central Indiana) and Tim Harvey (Virlina) were affirmed as district-elected members of the General Board under new calling polity. A Southern Plains representative is still to be determined. The Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee recommended a 2.1-percent cost-of-living increase in the pastoral scale for 2004. In a special item, the Conference welcomed international visitors from Nigeria and the Dominican Republic.
Bill Eberly of North Manchester, Ind., speaks to a query during Monday's business.
Worship: Bethany associate dean Dan Ulrich gave the sermon Monday evening, shifting from his work with online Connections programs to the importance of being "on vine" with Jesus Christ. "God wants people to live in a fruitful, well-connected church," Ulrich said. He stressed the importance of abiding in Jesus, which he called the "most essential mark of identity as people of God." He also wove several stories through the message to illustrate his points. "The future of the Church of the Brethren doesn't depend on you or me," Ulrich said in concluding. "It depends on Jesus Christ." Earlier, former Camp Mack director Becky Ball Miller shared an emotional testimony of the power of prayer in her life, through her father's illness, her husband's career decisions, and her own unexpected shift in her calling. Gathering music included several upbeat pieces by the Conference music team and two praise songs by members of the Circle of Peace congregation in Peoria, Ariz.; the choir shared another anthem, and the offertory was accompanied by flute.
Other election results: Annual Conference Program & Arrangements Committee: Rosanna Eller McFadden; On Earth Peace board: Kimberly Noelle Rhudy Chaffin; Brethren Benefit Trust board (following a runoff election): Eric P. Kabler; Association of Brethren Caregivers board: David Fouts, Vernne W. Greiner; Bethany Theological Seminary board: Representing the Ministry: Phill Carlos Archbold; Representing the Laity: Raymond M. Donadio Jr.; Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee: Linda Frey Barkdoll; Committee on Interchurch Relations: Steven Brady
The Rev. Nuhad Tomeh of the Middle East Council of Churches spoke to this year's Global Ministries dinner.
Other Highlights: Aaron Lahman of Glendale, Ariz., turned in the best time in the Brethren Benefit Trust Fitness Challenge 5K, finishing in 17:37. . . . Paul White of Virginia, who offered prayer for the morning business session, has attended 50 consecutive Annual Conferences. . . . The morning business session closed with the screening of a fast-moving, 7-minute video journey through the Bible featuring drawings by 2002 Annual Conference moderator Paul Grout. . . . Total attendance through midday Monday stood at 2,825, including 841 delegates. . . . Conference received word on Monday that Lebanon Valley Home (Palmyra, Pa.) president/CEO Cathy Snell had died Sunday of complications from cancer. . . . Idaho's capital city of Boise has grown rapidly in recent years, with a population now approaching 200,000. . . . In a reorganization meeting, the General Board called Donna Shumate of Southeastern District as chair for the coming year and Glenn Mitchell of Middle Pennsylvania as vice chair. Others called to the General Board Executive Committee were J.D. Glick, Carol Kussart, Doug Price, and David Sollenberger.