The overview of the Conference includes the following stories: Delegates return Special Response business items, reaffirm 1983 paper (including a sharing about a serious situation of threat made during the Conference); Bob Krouse chosen moderator-elect, more election results; Resolution on war in Afghanistan calls for withdrawal of troops; Congregational Life Ministries to facilitate revision of congregational ethics; Conference adopts query on climate change, returns query on decorum; Standing Committee accepts new vision statement; Board adopts Afghanistan resolution, reduces budget parameter for 2012; Ministry of Reconciliation offers post-Conference insight session; Offering the table; Conference by the numbers.
Today at Annual Conference – Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The final “today” page for the 2011 Annual Conference features quotes of the day, photos, an announcement from MoR, and “Conference by the numbers.”
Conference Adopts Query on Climate Change, Returns Query on Proper Decorum
The 2011 Annual Conference acted on two queries brought to the delegate body on Tuesday, July 5. The Conference returned the “Query: Proper Decorum” brought by Mountain Grove Church of the Brethren and Shenandoah District, and adopted the “Query: Guidance for Responding to the Changing of Earth’s Climate” brought by Circle of Peace Church of the Brethren and Pacific Southwest District.
Global Ministries Dinner Hears from Rita Nakashima Brock
“It took Jesus a thousand years to die.” Rita Nakashima Brock, director of Faith Voices for the Common Good, began her presentation with this startling statement. What she meant, she said, is “there is an absence of his image hanging on the cross dead until the year 960.” Brock said that thanks to her study of early Christian art, “We began to see an entirely different message of Christian faith.”
Today at Annual Conference – Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The “today” page for July 5 includes quotes of the day, photos, Conference by the numbers, and a question of the day for six lucky “Brethren on the street.”
In Stitches!
Over 100 nimble hands, equipped with needle and thread, participated in the quilting project of the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren (AACB). The quilting began on Friday, July 1, and continued through the afternoon of July 5, each stitch made to raise money to feed hungry people.
Brethren Revival Fellowship Dinner Considers ‘Hope in the Darkness’
The Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) held its dinner meeting on July 5. A large number of people gathered for fellowship, food, music, and inspiration. The Zumbrum Singers from Blue River Church of the Brethren in Northern Indiana District brought the musical part of the meeting. Jordan Keller, a licensed minister from Lewiston (Maine) Church of the Brethren, brought the message on “Hope in the Darkness.”
Malinda Berry Speaks for Bethany Theological Seminary Luncheon
Speaker for the Bethany luncheon was Malinda Berry, associate professor of Theology and director of the Master of Arts program at the seminary. Her presentation, “Breaking Stone, Set in Bread: How the Arts Change Our Perspective,” included visual images to show ways theology is expressed through art.
Delegates Act on Special Response Business, Return Business Items, Reaffirm 1983 Paper on Human Sexuality
The 2011 Annual Conference has acted on two business items related to issues of sexuality–“A Statement of Confession and Commitment” and “Query: Language on Same-Sex Covenantal Relationships”–have been the subject of a two-year Special Response Process across the denomination. The Conference approved a recommendation from the Standing Committee of district delegates, and an amendment that added a sentence to the recommendation.
Congregational Life Ministries Holds Its First Ministry Fair
A dozen round tables filled the Ambassador West ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich., on the afternoon of July 4–ready for the first Congregational Life Ministry Fair at Annual Conference. The tables were topped with signs reading “Stewardship,” “Young Adult Ministry,” “Church Planting,” and several other congregational ministry areas.