Proclaim Christ as Servant
“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him” (John 13:5).
Christina Singh preaches for the Saturday morning worship service. Photo by Glenn Riegel 
Jeremy Ashworth speaking for evening worship. Photo by Glenn Riegel
Quotes of the day:
— Christina Singh preaching for the morning worship service.
“If we do not live in the spirit of feetwashing we have no part with him…. Jesus’ servanthood is our example in our relationship with each other…. God’s will for our lives is that we learn to give ourselves in service to others.”
“We entered this process by faith…. I just deeply appreciate your presence here as we continue the journey this morning.”
— Moderator Donita Keister introducing the morning’s compelling vision session.
“We are being seen by more people than are in this room right now.”
— Overheard during the morning’s business session, in a comment on the positive view of the church that is being shared with the world by webcasts of the compelling vision process.
“Draw nigh to God and receive these sacred symbols to your comfort.”
— Moderator Keister offering traditional words of invitation to receive the communion service, during the love feast that was the closing event of business and a worshipful conclusion to the compelling vision conversations.
“We cannot serve our neighbors if we stay stuck in the Brethren bubble. Get out there! … Potlucks, people. Think of the potlucks.”
— Jeremy Ashworth, this evening’s preacher, encouraging Brethren to welcome people of all nations and to savor the gifts of all cultures in the church.
By the numbers:
$12,674.51 received in the evening offering for Brethren Disaster Ministries response in Puerto Rico, following the hurricanes that caused devastation across the island in 2017.
$1,312 received in an offering for ministers’ assistance during the pre-Conference Minister’s Association event. At least 132 people participated in the event led by Dr. David Olson on the theme, “Saying No to Say Yes: Everyday Boundaries and Pastoral Excellence.”
$2,500 given by the conference center in Grand Rapids to purchase free ice cream bars for this year’s Conference goers, as a gesture of thanks to the Annual Conference for returning to their city again next year in 2020.
2,155 total registration as of Saturday evening, including 677 delegates and 1,478 nondelegates.
Photo credits: top left Glenn Riegel; top right Laura Brown; bottom left Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford; bottom right Donna Parcell
For more onsite coverage of Annual Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac/2019/coverage . #cobac19
Coverage of Annual Conference 2018 is made possible through the work of news team volunteers and communications staff: Frank Ramirez, Conference Journal editor; photographers Glenn Riegel, Keith Hollenberg, Donna Parcell, and Laura Brown; writers Frances Townsend and Tyler Roebuck; Press Room office manager Alane Riegel; Jan Fischer Bachman and Russ Otto, website; Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Services; Wendy McFadden, publisher. Contact cobnews@brethren.org .