The Church of the Brethren’s Inter-Agency Forum has issued the following letter regarding this year’s Annual Conference, which takes place in Greensboro, N.C., on July 2-6 (see www.brethren.org/ac). The Inter-Agency Forum includes the Annual Conference officers and director, the general secretary, representatives from the Council of District Executives, and top leadership of the Conference agencies:
May 2025
Dear Friends,
“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:5-7
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference exists to unite, strengthen, and equip the Church of the Brethren to follow Jesus. Two millennia ago, the Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Rome, encouraged the faithful to welcome one another as they have been welcomed by Christ. This type of welcome is intentional, grace-filled, and ultimately unites and strengthens the church, for the glory of God.
One of the joys of the Annual Conference is meeting with delegates and attendees from across the country and around the world. For some individuals, it is a first encounter with the larger church, while for others, it serves as an annual affirmation of the tie that binds us together. While we celebrate our cultural and racial diversity, individuals traveling from outside the country and certain racial and ethnic groups within the Church of the Brethren in the United States find traveling to this year’s Annual Conference particularly challenging.
With a faith that works through love, the Annual Conference Officers, Agency Executives, District Executives, and General Secretary, along with the ministries each represents, have collaborated on an action plan that equips the Annual Conference to support the church’s multicultural commitments and ensure the widest welcome to those traveling to Greensboro. Our desire, as church leaders, is for all people to feel safe and welcome at the Annual Conference.
May our work and worship in Greensboro strengthen, unite, and equip the church to follow Jesus as we welcome one another as Christ welcomes us, for the glory of God.
— The letter is signed by the following current members of the Church of the Brethren’s Inter-Agency Forum: Dava Hensley, Annual Conference moderator; Don Fitzkee, Annual Conference moderator-elect; David Shumate, Annual Conference secretary; Pete Kontra, Council of District Executives representative; Rhonda Pittman Gingrich, Annual Conference director; David Steele, general secretary, Leadership Team; Kris Hawk, Council of District Executives chair; Jeff Carter, Bethany Theological Seminary president; Nevin Dulabaum, Eder Financial president; Matt Guynn, On Earth Peace co-executive
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- Annual Conference officers to host virtual delegate briefing on May 27
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