Saturday, July 3, 2004
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Mark Oldham, a woodcarver and member of Martingsburg Memorial Church of the Brethren created a wood representation of this year’s Annual Conference logo by Rosanna Eller McFadden. Oldham reported that the wood for the cross, wormy chestnut, was found in Alderson, W.Va., and was chosen to show distress yet also to show beauty and strength. photo by Dale Seese

Exhibits open, International Welcome Dinner, Association of Brethren Caregivers Recognition Dinner; meetings of the General Board, Standing Committee, and Council of District Executives; conclusion of Ministers Association Conference; Fellowship of Brethren Genealogists; opening worship service; Bible studies; open conversation with the Annual Conference Council and hearings on business items; ice cream social; initial junior high, senior high, young adult, and single adult activities.

Quotes of the Day:

“The household of the church is the only household that is big enough for all the pain of the world.” – Tim Button-Harrison, Standing Committee member

“What are you going to do with all that life?... What we do with that love of God will change our lives and will change our world.” – Moderator Chris Bowman preaching for Saturday’s worship

Opening worship overflows with music, prayer.

A crowd of Brethren that overflowed the Charleston Coliseum was properly welcomed to West Virginia Saturday night as worship included a frisky bluegrass banjo accompaniment of “Brethren, we have met to worship.” The crowd was reluctant to return to their seats.

Moderator-elect Jim Hardenbrook enveloped the entire Annual Conference in prayer. He reminded conference goers during the offering statement that stewardship is a spiritual issue, telling them to examine their spirit of generosity and “if there is a problem, it might be a little deeper than you think..” The large crowd was hushed during the following meditative organ offertory.

Conference director Lerry Fogle addresses the worship gathering at the Charleston Coliseum. photo by Regina Bryan

ABC’s first “Open Roof” award was presented to Lansing (Mich.) Church of the Brethren for the progress the congregation has made in welcoming people with disabilties. photo by Eddie Edmonds

Jeff Hill is a member of the band 2MJ photo by Jesse Reid

Telling the story of going scuba diving and running out of air, Bowman described the feeling of being rescued when another diver gave him air. He compared it to the love we have available to give those around us. “Every day, God will send you people who are running out of air– people who are physically and spiritually drowning.”

Bowman encouraged Brethren to “turn our efforts and our energies back to the basics– loving God and loving neighbor, living lives for the glory of God and our neighbor’s good.” He said, “That is something worth our passion, something worth our protection, something worth our lives in the body of Christ.”

Association of Brethren Caregivers presents first “Open Roof” award

The first “Open Roof” award was presented to Lansing (Mich.) Church of the Brethren. Named from Mark 2:3-5, the award was presented in recognition of the great strides the congregation has made in welcoming people with disabilities into the life of the church. Others receiving awards at ABC’s Recognition Dinner were Cathy Snell, president of Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, who died July 6, 2003, after a long battle with cancer; Vernon Showalter, recognized for his long service to Pinecrest Community as president; Joyce Person, a nurse and ordained minister at Polo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren; and LeRoy Weddle, honored for his years of service as CEO of The Cedars.

2MJ gives early evening concert

Returning for a third consecutive year to the Annual Conference stage was 2MJ, the contemporary Christian group from Virginia comprised of Mark Cline, James Fike, Millard Flora and Jeff Hill. The group delighted a large crowd with a mix of original and cover songs of praise. Jeff Hill will be performing solo on Monday.

Hallelujah! Have we got a restaurant for you!

How about some home cookin’ at a reasonable price, that supports the Lord’s work to boot? Check out Hallelujah Wings at 424 Shrewsbury St. in Charleston, W.Va. Housed in the annex building of First Baptist Church, the restaurant was started by Rev. Paul Dunn and his wife, and chefs Wayman and Patricia Wilson, as part of the church’s vision to assist with neighborhood economic development. Enjoy chicken wings, catfish, even alligator (!) as you’re surrounded by pictures of the congregation and smooth jazz. Closed Sundays.

Dinner welcomes international guest

The International Welcome Dinner, a Global Mission Partnership event, was held on Saturday evening at the Charleston Marriott Hotel. Executive director Merv Keeney introduced Rev. Dr. Haruun Ruun, who brought greetings from the New Sudan Council of Churches. Jeff and Peggy Boshart, community development staff in the Dominican Republic for the General Board, were the keynote speakers and shared stories of their work with the micro loan ministry. Additional international guests from the Dominican Republic and Nigeria had planned to attend, however their visas were denied.

Members of the 2004 Annual Conference news team, a ministry of the General Board, contributed to this report: Regina Bryan, Jesse Reid, Eddie Edmonds and Dale Seese, photographers; Kathleen Campanella, Jill Kline, Frank Ramirez, Frances Townsend, and Sarah Leatherman Young, writers; Amy Heckert, technical support; Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, editor.