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

Index	Theme	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Wrap Up

The tellers were kept busy during Tuesday business sessions, as a recount vote was held. - photo by Regina Roberts

Matt Guynn, a member of the Doing Church Business Study Committee, reviewed the group's recommendations for the Conference delegate body. - photo by Regina Roberts

Brandon Grady, a student at Bethany Theological Seminary, was one of those speaking to the recommendations of the Doing Church Business Study Committee. - photo by Keith Hollenberg

“DOING CHURCH BUSINESS” REFERRED FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY
The report of the study committee on Doing Church Business has been referred to the Program Feasibility Study Committee of Annual Conference. The paper’s recommendations have potential to make significant changes in the format of Annual Conference and the way delegates address business.

“There is a clear need for significant change in order to enhance and model a discerning Christian community and the reign of God,” the paper said.

“We recognize the complexity of this undertaking,” said committee member Matt Guynn, who asked delegates to recognize the capacity for creativity in doing Conference business. The committee’s presentation of the paper highlighted several of its key recommendations and explained some of the thinking behind them.

Although most who spoke to the paper affirmed its intent, concerns were raised about implementation and issues such as cost. Delegates to the 2007 Conference will address the paper in light of the feasibility study, and will take up the paper at the point at which the motion to refer was made.

In a moment of confusion on the Conference floor, a re-count of a vote on the motion to refer was taken because the count of a previous vote was greater than the total number of delegates. The first count of the vote was announced to be 370 for, 557 against, totaling 927; the number of delegates registered for the Conference is 792. After the first vote, the motion was declared to have failed and the moderator planned to continue the business item following worship. However, the re-count by paper ballot was announced to be 359 for, 324 against, 1 abstention, and was declared to approve the motion to refer.

“COMMITMENT OF ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION RESOLUTION” IS ADOPTED
Although a 1994 Annual Conference resolution urged Church of the Brethren congregations and institutions to become accessible to the disabled, many congregations have not yet done so.

The resolution “Commitment of Accessibility and Inclusion Resolution,” brought by the Association of Brethren Caregivers and its Disabilities Ministry, petitioned Annual Conference this year to “urge each congregation, agency, institution, facility and gathering” in the denomination to recommit to becoming fully accessible and including every person in its ministry.

The delegate body welcomed the concern. Several people spoke at the microphones, sharing their stories of disability and how their churches have embraced those persons or been challenged in their efforts.

Physical accessibility was not the only issue addressed. Several spoke of the need to include those with mental challenges. The resolution itself states that the barriers are not only architectural, but also “attitudes that reflect a lack of sensitivity or understanding, which deny persons with disabilities the right to a life of dignity and respect.”

Every speaker endorsed the resolution, which delegates affirmed by passing without dissent.

--Frances Townsend is pastor of Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren

Moderator-elect Belita Mitchell chaired one business item, a resolution on "Commitment of Accessibility and Inclusion," brought by the Association of Brethren Caregivers. - photo by Regina Roberts

OVERVIEW OF OTHER BUSINESS
The day’s business included two more sessions of small group discussions on Together: Conversations on Being the Church.

Reports were received from the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) and Bethany Theological Seminary. ABC focused on its ministry for mental illness and preparations for National Older Adult Conference in September. Bethany’s report included a recognition of the leadership of president Eugene Roop, who has announced his resignation from the position. The delegate body stood and applauded his service to the seminary.

The nominees for the two agencies’ boards were affirmed. For ABC: William Cave, John Kinsel, Tamela Kiser, and Gayle Hunter Sheller. For Bethany: Jim Dodson, Michele Firebaugh.

Other reports included the Brethren representatives to the National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches, and the Committee on Interchurch Relations. Ecumenical guests also were introduced.

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.