By Debbie Noffsinger
Online registration for the 2022 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference taking place in Omaha, Neb., on July 10-14 will open on March 1 at 12 noon central time / 1 p.m. Eastern time. Online registration will be available for both delegates and nondelegates at the Annual Conference website www.brethren.org/ac2022.
The advance delegate registration fee is $310 per delegate. Advance registration will close on June 10. The fee for registering delegates onsite in Omaha will be $385. Don’t wait!
The advance nondelegate registration fee is $130. Advance registration will close on June 10. The fee for registering nondelegates onsite in Omaha will be $165.
There also will be an option to register as a virtual nondelegate to watch business online, view special events and concerts, and participate in a number of equipping sessions. Information will be shared on the Annual Conference website.
The link for hotel reservations will be on the last page of the registration site, appearing immediately after completing registration, and will be in the registration confirmation email. Everyone can reserve a room upon completing their registration. Do not call the hotel to make a reservation! Annual Conference discounted room fees are only available for online registrations.
There are two hotels in the Conference block: Hilton Omaha at $106 per night (plus tax) and Doubletree by Hilton Omaha at $106 per night (plus tax). This is the lowest hotel rate the Conference has enjoyed since 2009. Please go to www.brethren.org/ac2022/hotels for more hotel information.
Delegate registration fees provide each delegate with a Conference booklet, the business materials packet, a designated delegate name tag, and seating at the delegate tables at Annual Conference. Each congregation registering a delegate will receive a copy of the 2022 Annual Conference minutes.
Registering a delegate
Congregations may register their delegate(s) using online registration beginning Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Payment options include paying by credit card or sending a check. Go to www.brethren.org/ac and click on the “Registration” button and then choose “Delegate Registration.” Each delegate’s complete name, address, email, and phone number are required. Pertinent Conference information will be emailed to registered delegates, so an email address is required. For delegates who do not have an email address, an email address of the church office or family member is required. For assistance call the Annual Conference office at 800-323-8039 ext. 366.
Delegate eligibility and allotment
Delegates must be full members of the Church of the Brethren. The number of delegates for each congregation is based on the membership statistics as reported in the 2021 Church of the Brethren Yearbook. The number allowed is as follows:
— up to 200 members: 1 delegate
— 201 to 400 members: 2 delegates
— 401 to 600 members: 3 delegates
— 601 to 800 members: 4 delegates
Nondelegate registrations
Nondelegate registration opens the same day as delegate registration. When registering anyone other than a delegate, click on the “Non-Delegate Registration” button.
Additional orders
Delegates and nondelegates can go to the online “store” to purchase additional items such as meal event tickets, a choir packet, tour tickets, a Conference booklet, and more.
Worship services
All five worship services will be available free of charge to all registered and non-registered persons.
New attendee orientation
Delegates and nondelegates who have never been or have not recently been to Annual Conference are encouraged to attend the New Attendee Orientation session in Omaha at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 10. The location will be listed in the Conference booklet.
COVID Response Plan
Caring for the health and wellbeing of Conferencegoers is a priority. In consultation with medical professionals, a COVID Response Plan has been developed, outlining the safety protocols that may be in place depending on the state of the pandemic in July. For more information go to www.brethren.org/ac2022/covidresponse.
Online information
Please check the Annual Conference webpage at www.brethren.org/ac2022 for more information about Annual Conference in Omaha, including leadership, themes, schedules, meal and food options, meetings and events, the COVID Response Plan, and much more. New information is added regularly, so check back often!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
— Debbie Noffsinger is Conference assistant in the Annual Conference Office. Contact her at 847-429-4366 or 800-323-8039 ext. 366 or dnoffsinger@brethren.org.