Proclaim Christ as Love
“For the love of Christ urges us on…” (2 Corinthians 5:14a).
Quotes of the day:
— Chris Douglas, Annual Conference director, in her opening announcements.
“Sisters and brothers, welcome to the 233rd recorded Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren.”
“We are not compelled by our love for Christ. We are compelled by Christ’s love for us.”
— Annual Conference moderator Donita Keister in her opening sermon.
“May we come as ministers of reconciliation…knowing that a vision borne of that commitment cannot help but be compelling.”
— Moderator Keister encouraging hope in the compelling vision process, as she concluded her sermon.
By the numbers:
$10,872.16 received for church rebuilding by Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) in the first offering taken during evening worship.
2,099 total registration for the 2019 Annual Conference, as of 5 p.m. on July 3. This includes 675 delegates and 1,424 nondelegates.
$250 worth of free books will be won by a lucky congregation’s library each day, Wednesday through Saturday, thanks to a generous donation to Brethren Press. Enter the drawing at the Brethren Press Bookstore.
Opening evening includes worship, a concert, and a vigil
Annual Conference moderator Donita Keister preached for the opening worship service of the 2019 annual meeting, highlighting the transformative nature of our faith in Christ and the calling for Christians to be ministers of reconciliation. The love of Christ compels us to reconcile beyond our differences, she told the congregation.
Also this evening, a candlelight peace vigil was held in solidarity with immigrants, praying for all those suffering from a situation of injustice. Various leaders in the church’s intercultural community spoke. The vigil was sponsored by the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy.
The after-worship highlight for many was a special concert by the Blackwood Brothers quartet, who performed hymns and gospel tunes to rounds of applause.
Age group activities began for youth as well as young adults this evening, and the exhibit hall was open for browsing, learning, and good conversation.
For more onsite coverage of Annual Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac/2019/coverage . #cobac19
Coverage of Annual Conference 2019 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 .