Moderator invites denomination to online ‘townhall meetings’

Church of the Brethren Newsline
August 30, 2017

Annual Conference moderator Samuel K. Sarpiya is issuing an invitation to Brethren across the denomination to join in online “townhall meetings” that he plans to hold once a month beginning Sept. 28. The online “townhalls” will explore the theme for the 2018 Annual Conference, “Living Parables.”

Participants will take part in discussions about how the theme comes alive in congregations and communities, and will hear stories of how different churches are living out the theme. “I’m hoping for every church to look at their faith as a living parable,” Sarpiya said.

He hopes to “interact across the denomination as the different churches share what it means to be a living parable in their own communities. Sometimes, in our quietness and humility, we don’t share what we are doing with others, and there is a reinventing of the wheel.” He hopes the “townhalls” will spark ideas, inventiveness, sharing, and mutual understanding. “Everyone is invited to sign in,” he said.

The moderator is inviting congregations to send him their stories about being a “Living Parable” in local communities, so that he can choose significant stories to share during the “townhalls.” He would like to receive some stories from congregations as video messages, with no video clip longer than 5 minutes maximum. Congregations also are invited to send stories written in e-mail messages to moderator@brethren.org .

Stories from congregations should answer the following questions: How does a living parable look for you in your community? And how are you living that out?

The online events will be held live using Zoom technology, sponsored by the Annual Conference office. Up to 200 people may connect to each “townhall.” Participants will need a Zoom meeting i.d. number or teleconferencing number to join in. These numbers will be shared in advance of each monthly event.

Here is the information needed to participate in the first “townhall”:

Moderator Town Hall: Living Parables
Sept. 28, 7 p.m. (Central time) / 8 p.m. (Eastern)

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/775595309

Or iPhone one-tap: US: +14157629988,,775595309#  or +16465687788,,775595309#

Or telephone: dial 415-762-9988 or 646-568-7788

Meeting ID: 775 595 309

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=nZNQGnSN886uEin7QjgIpUI3ESy_-jrv

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