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

Index	Theme	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Wrap Up

The annual Quilt Auction was sponsored by the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren. - photo by Regina Roberts

The theme quilt for the 2006 Annual Conference. - photo by Regina Roberts

Beth Gunzel briefed the senior high youth about Brethren mission work in the Dominican Republic. Gunzel is a staff member in the DR for the General Board. - photo by Sarah Kovacs

Conference-goers ate 63 pounds of M&M candies at the 300th Anniversary Committee booth! - photo by Amy Heckert

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The healing and wholeness of individuals is not a sophisticated issue. But it requires an open heart.” --David Shumate, executive minister of Virlina District, speaking to the “Commitment of Accessibility and Inclusion Resolution”

“The Association of Brethren Caregivers estimates that one in four Church of the Brethren families have dealt with mental illness.” --From a video presentation during the ABC report

“We’re calling them our 101 recommendations.” --David Shetler, a member of the Doing Church Business Study Committee, on the numerous recommendations in the paper

“Do we see in here the seeds of a study committee?” –Tuesday evening preacher Dennis Webb, after describing the quandary the Apostle Paul found himself in while considering what to do with the slave Onesimus, in the Tuesday evening sermon

OVERVIEW OF THE DAY
Breakfasts opening the day included the On Earth Peace Breakfast with speakers on work against military recruitment, and the Brethren World Mission Breakfast with speaker Ludovic St. Fleur on the church’s new mission in Haiti.

In business, delegates engaged in Together: Conversations on Being the Church and addressed a new business item “Commitment of Accessibility and Inclusion Resolution,” and the report on “Doing Church Business.” Other reports were received from the Association of Brethren Caregivers, the Committee on Interchurch Relations, Bethany Theological Seminary, and representatives to the National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches. Ecumenical guests were introduced. Business was followed by the annual Quilt Auction.

Lunch-time activities included the Ecumenical Luncheon with speaker Deborah DeWinter of the World Council of Churches, and luncheons sponsored by Bethany Theological Seminary, the Outdoor Ministries Association, and the Brethren in Business network. At the “Un-Luncheon,” participants were invited to give what they would have spent on food to the Churches Supporting Churches program in New Orleans. Dinners included the Global Ministries Dinner with speaker Erlinda Senturias of the Philippines.

Evening worship was led by Dennis Webb preaching on “Walking by Faith...Again.” Joy Zepp was worship leader. The service also featured a children’s choir.

Insight sessions included a session on “Together: Skills and Ideas for Continuing the Conversation.” Small-group meetings included mutual help and networking groups and Bible and theological studies. Children and youth enjoyed more fields trips, young adults viewed fourth of July fireworks in Des Moines, and single adults discussed house churches.

Conference-goers were invited to an ice cream social at the end of the day.

A REPORT FROM TUESDAY EVENING WORSHIP
"Today I bring a word to persons and congregations and churches and districts and denominations: if you find yourself in a no-win situation, the great apostle Paul shows us what to do,” said Dennis Webb, pastor of Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren.

Preaching on a text from Paul’s letter to Philemon, Webb set the stage for his spirited and lively message by telling the story of how, while he was in jail, Paul was helped by an escaped slave who happened to belong to one of his close friends. Webb reminded the congregation that there were severe penalties not only for the escaped slave, but for all who helped that slave.

Congregations, districts, and individuals often find themselves in similar dilemmas, he said. “It seems whatever you do the outcome may not be good.”

The dilemma for Paul was clear--either aiding and abetting a criminal, or sending the slave back to his friend, which would lead to certain punishment and probable death.”

Webb continued, “What did Paul do in this Catch-22 situation? Paul walked by faith! In faith Paul sent Onesimus back to his master…with no guarantees,” Webb said. “His confidence was not in his letter of restoration, but in the Jesus of the resurrection.”

He concluded by reminding all who feel alienated from their church that “in the name of the same Jesus who said to people who were broken, ‘Your faith has made you whole,’ I urge you to walk by faith again!”

--Frank Ramirez is pastor of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren

“THE LOCAL ANGLE”: THE ECUMENICAL PEACE MOVEMENT IN DES MOINES
Several organizations in Des Moines are dedicated to working for peace and justice. These groups work at peace and justice education, lobbying politicians, marching for peace, celebrating peace in ecumenical worship, and working to support those in need. Among them are:

WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom), which frequently meets at Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren and some Stover members are active participants in the group.

Iowa Peace Network (IPN), which is sponsored in part by the Northern Plains District and has Brethren representation on the board of directors. IPN and others are working to promote conscientious objection, and every Thursday around noon there is an anti-war vigil at Nollen Plaza.

Some of the Brethren in Des Moines are involved in the activities of Catholic Peace Ministries and the Des Moines Ecumenical Faith Committee for Peace. Among ecumenical activities, Stover Church has regularly participated in the Grandview College “Non-Violence Week.” Brethren from around the district have participated in the Palm Sunday Procession for Peace, several Ecumenical Prayer Services for Peace, and the Catholic Peace Ministry’s Peace Award Celebration.

Among other groups with whom Brethren interact are American Friends Service Committee, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Des Moines Catholic Worker, Hope Ministries, and Children and Family Urban Ministries.

--Clara Glover is pastor of Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren in Des Moines

BRETHREN BITS

The Conference blood drive received donations of 253 pints.

The quilt auction raised a total of $13,240 for hunger relief. The auction is sponsored annually by the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren. This year the five quilted altar cloths made for the Conference logo were auctioned, as well as three quilts and three wall hangings made at this Conference, and two quilts and two wall hangings made at previous Conferences that were offered for resale. One of the quilts, made in 2005, has now been sold three times for a total of $13,000.

The Smithson Room off of the floor level of Veterans Auditorium–this week being used as the first aid station--is named for Warren Smithson, a Church of the Brethren member who served as a longtime manager of the auditorium. Conference-goer Harold Smith noted the fact for the News Team.

Conference-goers have consumed 63 pounds of M&M chocolate candies, at the booth of the 300th Anniversary 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.