On Monday morning, July 9, the following vision statement was adopted by the delegate body for denomination-wide use: “Through Scripture, Jesus calls us to live as courageous disciples by word and action: To surrender ourselves to God, To embrace one another, To express God’s love for all creation.”
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Today at Annual Conference – Monday
Bits and pieces about the day on July 9, 2012, at the Annual Conference in St. Louis
District Executives Present Award at First Code Dinner
CODE, the Council of District Executives, held its first ever Annual Conference dinner, July 9. Craig Smith, chair of the executive committee and executive minister for Atlantic Northeast District, opened the meeting stating that the dinner was to be a “Celebration of Leadership.” A highlight of the dinner was a new award for pastoral excellence.
What Holds the Brethren Together
“Some fear the current conflict over homosexuality will tear the church apart,” Guy Wampler told the Brethren Press/ Messenger dinner in his keynote address. “I think we Brethren can work through the current controversy.”
‘Way Forward’ Statement Released by Standing Committee
The Standing Committee of district delegates has released a statement out of its meetings in advance of the 2012 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo. The statement follows in full.
Today at Annual Conference – Sunday
Tidbits from the day at Annual Conference in St. Louis on Sunday, July 8
Morning Begins with an All-Conference Bible Study
The following review of the Sunday morning Bible study presented by Bob Neff is written by Frank Ramirez, pastor of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren:
Mission and Ministry Board Optimistic, Despite Challenges
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board tackled a handful of business items interspersed with reports from staff and others during its Saturday meeting prior to the start of Annual Conference. Also on the agenda were adoption of a budget parameter for 2013, recognitions of board members and staff concluding their terms of service, and numerous reports.
Act like Jesus Is Raised from the Dead: Walter Brueggemann Preaches for Annual Conference
No doubt several in the congregation who listened to Walter Brueggeman in the opening worship service of the 2012 Annual Conference may have visited a prisoner in the local jail, or perhaps in a state prison.
Standing Committee Makes Recommendations on New Business, Appoints Committee to Update Special Response Process
The Standing Committee of district delegates ended pre-Annual Conference meetings today in St. Louis, Mo. Meetings began the afternoon of July 4, led by Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey. He was assisted by moderator-elect Robert Krouse and Conference secretary Fred Swartz. Delegates from the Church of the Brethren’s 23 districts made recommendations to Annual Conference on new business items. They also set up a committee to update the denomination’s Special Response procedure for highly controversial issues, among other business.