The Program and Arrangements Committee of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has announced plans for a series of denominational virtual events on July 1 and 2. Although the 2020 Annual Conference that would have taken place in Grand Rapids, Mich., has been cancelled, the committee decided it is important for the denomination to gather, albeit in a different way, in recognition of the church’s ongoing life together.
A virtual Denominational Children’s Worship Time and Worship Gathering on the evening of Wednesday, July 1, will unfold as follows (all times are given in Eastern time):
— At 7:30 p.m. a children’s worship time will include a variety of creative elements as part of this dynamic service.
— At 8 p.m. the worship service will feature prayers, scripture, meditations, and music from across the denomination. During the worship gathering, a denominational virtual choir will perform two selections.
A virtual Denominational Concert will take place the next evening, Thursday, July 2, beginning at 8 p.m. (Eastern time). A wide range of musical gifts will be represented, providing many expressions of song celebrating the rich diversity and depth of the Church of the Brethren. The concert also will feature a third selection by the denominational virtual choir.
Commenting on the virtual events, Annual Conference moderator Paul Mundey noted, “Though we can never replace Annual Conference, we feel these virtual events will gather the church together, nevertheless, in a creative way. Just as the recent online love feast events united the church during this challenging season, we anticipate these additional virtual offerings will resource us as we continue to find our way, through Christ, amid the disruption of COVID-19.”
Additional information will be made available soon.