Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford |
Mission and Ministry Board chair Ben Barlow led the pre-Conference meeting. |
A budget parameter for the Core Ministries budget for 2014 was adopted by the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board in its meeting on Saturday, June 29, in advance of the Annual Conference.
Also on the board’s agenda was the welcoming of international visitors, recognition of board members who are completing their terms of service, a financial update, an update on the Brethren Service Center campus, reports from Global Mission and Service programs and from Congregational Life Ministries, and review of business coming to the Conference. Open Roof Awards were given to four congregations.
Budget parameter for 2014
A 2014 budget parameter of $4,895,000 in income and expense was set for the Core Ministries budget that funds the core denominational programs of the Church of the Brethren. Treasurer LeAnn Wine reported that the parameter includes the plan for a one-time use of $136,000 from designated funds.
Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford |
Open Roof Awards went to four congregations. |
Open Roof Awards
Congregational Life Ministries presented Open Roof Awards to four congregations who have done significant work to become accessible to people living with disabilities: Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa.; Wolgamuth Church of the Brethren in Dillsburg, Pa.; Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; and Nettle Creek Church of the Brethren in Hagerstown, Ind.
Update from the Brethren Service Center
An update on the situation of the Brethren Service Center following the closing of the New Windsor Conference Center was given by Wine. The board heard that staff have been working hard to seek options for the use of two of the main buildings on the campus that are not being fully utilized, including meeting with county officials and real estate consultants. The board took action to authorize staff to pursue all options for the property, up to and including receiving letters of intent.
International guests
International guests coming to the Conference were welcomed, in particular those who are working as mission coordinators or mission liaisons with the Church of the Brethren and leaders of Brethren bodies in various nations: Markus Gamache from Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria); Ariel Rosario Abrieu, moderator of Iglesia des los Hermanos (the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic); Suely Inhauser, mission co-coordinator in Brazil and a minister of Igreja da Irmandade (Church of the Brethren in Brazil); and Ruth and Pablo Santos Terrero, a clergy couple who were present to represent the new Church of the Brethren in Spain.
Recognitions
Leaving board members were recognized for completing their terms of service, including board chair Ben Barlow, along with board members Andy Hamilton, Todd Eichelberger, and Wallace Cole.
A special recognition was given to Ruthann Knechel Johansen, who is retiring from the presidency of Bethany Theological Seminary. She had served as an ex officio member of the Mission and Ministry Board.
Two employees were recognized, who have resigned in recent months: Anna Emrick, who had been working in the Global Mission and Service office, and Amy Heckert, who has been on the website and communications staff.
In other business
The board received the resignation of board member Rhonda Ritenour of York, Pa., who is resigning because of a change of employment.