Sunday in Charlotte

Quotes of the day

“Touch thou our hands to lead us aright.
Guide us forever, show us thy way.”

— Stanza two of the beloved Brethren hymn, “Move in Our Midst.” The lyrics written by Kenneth I. Morse are set to the tune, “Pine Glen,” composed by Perry L. Huffaker. The hymn was chosen as the theme for the Annual Conference in 2013, the 100th anniversary of Morse’s birth. In addition to being a poet and hymnwriter, Morse was a longtime editor and associate editor of the Church of the Brethren Messenger magazine.

 

 

“Eight times Jesus was invited to dinner. At least half of the time those who invited him probably regretted it.”

–Phillip Yancey speaking for Sunday morning worship. He is author of over 25 books, including What’s So Amazing About Grace? and currently is Editor-at-Large for Christianity Today.

 

 

 

“I don’t want to be accepted, I want my life transformed.”

— Theologian and ethicist Stanley Hauerwas speaking for the Brethren Press and Messenger dinner. An Episcopalian, he is Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke University and author of Resident Aliens among other books.

“I think you’ll find that it is more than a cookbook, it is a testament of our community.”

— Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden, speaking about the newly published New Inglenook Cookbook, which is available for purchase in the Conference bookstore. Karen Crim Dillon who was coordinator of recipe testing gave the prayer for the meal at the Brethren Press and Messenger Dinner.

 

“Even your falls are leveraged for the good of the Kingdom.”

— Lisa Koons, director of the 24/7 Prayer Room in Charlotte, N.C., speaking on “Soul Care” for one of the day’s Equipping Workshops.

 

Day of Spiritual Renewal

A full Sunday was dedicated to worship and study, with the goal of offering spiritual renewal to each Conference-goer. The day started with Sunday morning worship led by Philip Yancey, a popular speaker and writer who has authored more than 25 books including What’s So Amazing About Grace? and currently is Editor-at-Large for Christianity Today. In the afternoon, Mark Yaconelli spoke for worship. Yaconelli is program director for the Center for Engaged Compassion at Claremont (Calif.) School of Theology and is a writer, speaker, retreat leader, and spiritual director who has spent much time working with youth. An evening worship service titled a “Concert of Prayer” was led by moderator Bob Krouse among others and included music and prayer and time for sharing in small groups. In between were numerous Equipping Workshops on a wide variety of topics, alumni luncheons hosted by several of the church-related colleges and universities, mutual help groups, a Brethren Revival Fellowship prayer and fasting session, and activities for children, youth, young adults, and single adults. The evening closed with a reception in the Exhibit Hall hosted by the Church of the Brethren staff and the Mission and Ministry Board.

 

Manchester gives award to Mutual Kumquat

Mutual Kumquat today received the Church-University Service Award from Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind., at the university’s alumni lunch. The program for the lunch characterized Mutual Kumquat as “a band with deep roots in Manchester University.” Members include Seth Hendricks, Chris Good, Drue Gray, Jacob Jolliff, and Ben Long. Later in the evening, Mutual Kumquat gave a concert for the junior and senior high youth. Tomorrow they are scheduled to sing for an insight session sponsored by Gather ’Round, the curriculum jointly produced by Brethren Press and MennoMedia.

 

New Community Project celebrates 10 years

The New Community Project is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special booth in the Exhibit Hall. “Since every birthday party needs gifts,” said an announcement, “in honor of the occasion NCP is giving away NCP t-shirts…recycled ink pens, and Kay Guyer designed upside down earth pins.”

 

Conference by the numbers

BBT Fitness Challenge: 37 walkers and 64 runners gathered in Freedom Regional Park for the 2013 Fitness Challenge sponsored by Brethren Benefit Trust and this year designated a “3,000 Miles for Peace” event. All participants had the opportunity to log miles and raise dollars to donate to the Paul Ziegler Young Peacemakers Fund. Susan Fox was the fastest female walker, crossing the finish line at 39:50. Don Shankster, male walker champion, finished at 33:27. Chelsea Goss protected her title of fastest female runner, clocking in 24:36. Matthew Fahs-Brown took home the prize for fastest male runner at 17:45.

Attendance at the Sunday morning worship service: 2,053. An offering of $11,890.72 was received. An offering of school supplies for the city of Charlotte was received during the afternoon worship service.

Registration: 720 delegates and 1,720 nondelegates for a total of 2,440.

The News Team for the 2013 Annual Conference includes volunteer photographers Glenn Riegel, Regina Holmes, Debbie Surin, and Alysson Wittmeyer; volunteer writers Frances Townsend, Frank Ramirez, and Karen Garrett; Eddie Edmonds volunteer for the Conference Journal; Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden; Donor Communications staff Mandy Garcia; website staff Amy Heckert and Don Knieriem; and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services.