From Philippians
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).
Quotable quotes
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!”
— Chorus sung first by the children, and then by the whole congregation, during the call to worship in the Sunday morning worship service
“Those who would become followers of Jesus do so based on their personal decisions to follow Jesus always…. When Jesus comes into our lives he comes to stay. When the God of this world comes into our lives, he is there for the long haul.”
— Stafford Frederick preaching for the closing worship service of the Conference
“Imagine a church where love…would be the motive out of which all decisions are made. This is my hope.”
— David Steele, who was consecrated at the close of worship to serve as the moderator of Annual Conference for the coming year.
“Abide in My Love and Bear Fruit”
— The theme for next year’s Annual Conference, inspired by John 15. The 2015 moderator David Steele announced the theme and read the scripture text after his consecration at the close of worship.
By the numbers
1,444 – attendance at the Sunday morning worship service
Song and Story Fest follows Conference, to be held at Ohio camp
Song and Story Fest, an annual Church of the Brethren family camp held with sponsorship from On Earth Peace, happens directly after Annual Conference closes. “The Killbuck Creek Song and Story Fest” is planned for July 6-12 at Inspiration Hills, an outdoor ministry center in Burbank, Ohio. The camp schedule features Brethren musicians and storytellers. Leaders will include Debbie Eisenbise, Bob Gross, Kathy Guisewite, Jonathan Hunter, Jim Lehman, and Matt Guynn. Musicians include Bill Jolliff, Tim Joseph, Peg Lehman, Brian Kruschwitz and LuAnne Harley, Mike Stern, and Mutual Kumquat, a group that includes Chris Good, Seth Hendricks, and Drue Jones. For registration, costs, and more information see http://onearthpeace.org/song-story-fest .
The Annual Conference News Team includes photographers Glenn Riegel, Regina Holmes, Keith Hollenberg, Justin Hollenberg, Alysson Wittmeyer; writers Frank Ramirez, Frances Townsend, Karen Garrett, Eddie Edmonds, Britnee Harbaugh; web staff Jan Fischer Bachman, Don Knieriem, Russ Otto; communications staff Wendy McFadden, publisher of Brethren Press, Mandy Garcia of donor communications, Messenger editor Randy Miller, and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services, who serves as editor.