The 2016 Annual Conference has processed a recommendation from On Earth Peace titled “Polity for Agencies,” by adopting a Standing Committee recommendation to return the query with appreciation and respect, but to accept the concern of the recommendation regarding a lack of polity with regard to agencies of the Conference.
An overview of the day at Annual Conference.
In election results today, the Annual Conference chose Donita J. Keister of Mifflinburg, Pa., as moderator-elect. She will serve as moderator-elect for one year, and then in 2019 she will serve as moderator of the Annual Conference in San Diego, Calif.
“In the age of the new atheists we have to figure out how to talk about why religion matters without sounding like jerks. Between burning in hell, and anything goes, there is a lot we can talk about,” said Lillian Daniel, presenter for the Minister’s Association pre-Conference continuing education event.
The Review and Evaluation Committee is organized anew every 10 years to review and evaluate the organization and structures of the Church of the Brethren denomination. The first five recommendations in the report the committee is bringing to the 2017 Annual Conference relate directly to that mandate. (The report is at www.brethren.org/ac/2017/business/UB-2-Review-and-Evaluation.pdf .)
In pre-Annual Conference meetings, Standing Committee made recommendations on two items of new business coming to the Conference from On Earth Peace. One of the functions of the Standing Committee of district delegates is to recommend action on new business items to the full delegate body.
A review of the first day of the 2017 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, held in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Standing Committee of district delegates has begun its work ahead of the 2017 Annual Conference. Standing Committee meetings began Sunday evening, June 25, in Grand Rapids, Mich., and continue through Wednesday morning, June 28. The meetings are presided over by Annual Conference moderator Carol Scheppard, with moderator-elect Samuel Sarpiya and Conference secretary James Beckwith.
UPDATES FROM GLOBAL MISSION AND SERVICE
1) Brethren compound in South Sudan is looted by security forces
2) Linda and Robert Shank to stay in the US for the summer
NEWS
1) Stop the violence, end the famine
2) The denomination’s spiritual directors hold annual retreat
3) Brethren join Heifer for earthquake reconstruction in Nepal
4) Global Mission worker carries out ministry of presence in Vietnam
5) EYN loses five church members in Boko Haram attack
6) Brethren bits
