220th Annual Conference Des Moines, Iowa July 1-5, 2006

Index	Theme	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Wrap Up

‘TOGETHER: EXERCISE DAILY IN GOD,’ 1 TIMOTHY 4:6-8

Discipline was a hallmark of the early faith community. It appeared to be a natural part of commitment, because of the persecution faced by Jesus’ followers. Dedication and commitment seem to be lacking from our lives and faith vocabulary today. The church needs to be encouraged and challenged to a stronger commitment. This will be significant for the denomination as we begin the “conversation about being the church,” during the next year.

The scriptures, especially Paul’s letters, remind us often of the merit and blessings of spiritual discipline. Certainly, the example of Jesus is the model for us to imitate. The early faith community was persecuted and that appeared to produce discipline. The church needs to be challenged to value spiritual discipline. Discipline could strengthen our commitment and dedication to the Lord and the faith community. We need to be reminded over and over again of the value and blessings of spiritual discipline and sharing Christ’s love with others.

Traveling and listening during this past year has been a new adventure. I have encountered many dedicated persons in our denomination. However, I have heard some of these same persons lament the lack of commitment and outreach in their local faith community.

Therefore, I’m going to challenge us to a new level of discipline and commitment. Part of the discipline will be to read a chapter a day in the New Testament. Secondly, pray daily for an individual who needs to know Christ as Lord and Savior. I would also encourage you to join a “cell group” in your congregation to pray with on a regular basis. I’m proposing, “TOGETHER: EXERCISE DAILY IN GOD,” as the theme for the 2006 Annual Conference, using 1 Timothy 4:6-8 as the primary text. The actual wording “exercise daily in God” comes from The Message. “Together” comes from the focus on the denomination’s “Together: Conversation on Being the Church” beginning this year.

--Ronald D. Beachley, Moderator, 2006 Annual Conference

DAILY THEMES AND SCRIPTURES

Saturday, July 1: “In Light of Scripture,” Psalm 119:97-112 and 129-136, 1 Timothy 4:6-8
Sunday, July 2: “Woven Together by Prayer,” 1 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 1:3-7, Mark 1:35-39
Monday, July 3: “Aerobics for the Soul ... No Pain, No Gain,” Romans 12:1-2
Tuesday, July 4: “Walking by Faith ... Again,” Philemon 1:4-7, Matthew 28:18-20
Wednesday, July 5: “Running Home,” Isaiah 57:14-19, Philippians 3:12-16

ABOUT THE 2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCE LOGO

In keeping with the 2006 Annual Conference theme, this logo design was a collaborative effort. The artwork for the word “Together” was borrowed with permission from Debbie Noffsinger’s logo for “Together: Conversations on Being the Church.” This is also the first time that I have executed a Conference logo in Spanish, and I would like to thank Nadine Monn for the translation which made that possible.

Spiritual disciplines are an indispensable part of the Christian walk. Moderator Ron Beachley recognized this in his choice of the text from 1 Timothy 4:6-8, and in his monthly Scripture and Prayer Challenge that many of us have been following throughout the past year. Bible study, prayer, growth, witness and service, and perseverance are each hallmarks of Christian commitment and discipleship. When practiced together, they contribute to a balanced and mature Christian life. But these disciplines aren’t merely for us as individuals; when we practice these together in community with other believers, we not only exercise our own privilege as Christians, we build up the body of Christ. I wanted to represent each of the five disciplines which will be topics of the Conference worship services, but also show that they are held together, and that they hold us together.

I feel that quilting is a rich metaphor for our life as a denomination: We bring our individual gifts, passions, voices, and convictions and offer them to be made into a whole pattern which is greater than the sum of its pieces. Beautiful quilts thoughtfully incorporate a wide variety of color, and make use of contrasting, as well as complementary color. If we are to be a vibrant denomination, we need to affirm diversity in our midst, and see that each piece works together to form a whole that honors Jesus Christ. The colors that are paired with the spiritual disciplines are intended to represent the full spectrum of our Christian experience, and should be combined in a witness that is sensitive, creative, and beautiful.

The Church of the Brethren is blessed with people who understand quilting. One of them, Jean Mann, is a member of my own congregation. Jean sees to my material needs, and does the cutting and stitching of fabric for designs that I can only imagine. She is the craftswoman behind a series of quilted chancel cloths that I’ve designed for Conference worship services and that are integral to my understanding of Paul’s injunction to “exercise daily in God.” Rachel Brown and other members of the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren (AACB) contributed their time and skill in the fabric arts to make these quilts a reality. My journey has been blessed by the variety of gifts and the generosity of those around me; I pray that our denomination will be blessed and will be a blessing to others as we exercise our faith together in Des Moines.

--Rosanna McFadden, logo artist and member of the Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Committee

Members of the 2006 Annual Conference news team, a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board, contributed to the Annual Conference web pages: Jake Blouch, Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Kathleen Campanella, Eddie Edmonds, Karen Garrett, Clara Glover, Amy Heckert, Keith Hollenberg, Jill Kline, Sarah Kovacs, Frank Ramirez, Jesse Reid, Regina Roberts, Frances Townsend, and Becky Ullom.