Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 297 has completed its orientation and begun work at a number of project sites in the United States, Ireland, and El Salvador. The summer unit held orientation on June 10-29 in Chicago and Elgin, Ill. Following are the new BVS volunteers, their home congregations or home towns, and projects sites.
A Thank You Letter from Plowsharing Crafts
Annual Conference director Chris Douglas has shared the following letter from the staff of Plowsharing Crafts, sent in response to the generosity of Conference-goers after the SERRV store suffered a robbery during the Conference. The store lost some $1,000 worth of jewelry merchandise, but donations given by concerned Conference-goers virtually made up for the loss.
Annual Conference 2012 – Bits and Pieces
Lots more information about the Conference in St. Louis includes statistics on attendance and offerings, service project and blood drive results, the Quilt Auction, and much more.
Delegate Seating at Round Tables Facilitates Face-To-Face Conversation, Prayer
“Watching you all hold hands around the tables and pray is one of the most beautiful things I have seen in my life,” said Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey to the delegate body after one morning’s devotions during the 2012 Conference, held July 7-11 in St. Louis, Mo. This is the first year in recent memory that the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has used table groups for face-to-face discussion, giving feedback on items of business, and prayer in small groups.
Conference Approves Variety of Polity Changes, Discontinues the CIR
In other business, the Annual Conference approved a variety of polity changes for districts and the Program and Arrangements Committee, approved a recommendation to discontinue the Committee on Interchurch Relations (CIR) in anticipation of a new vision for ecumenical witness, gave two groups additional time to work on revisions to the Ethics for Congregations document and response to climate change, and recommended a cost of living increase for pastor salaries.
Brethren Revival Fellowship Dinner Considers Story of Zacchaeus
Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) has existed since 1959 with a mission to revive the Church of the Brethren and hold the denomination to scripture. The BRF sponsors an annual dinner meeting at Annual Conference for fellowship and edification.
Today at Annual Conference – Wednesday
Today at Annual Conference – Wednesday
VOS Celebrates 10 Years, Holds Final Dinner
Jim Lehman, who planted the seeds for Voices for an Open Spirit (VOS) at Annual Conference 10 years ago, invited guests at the group’s yearly banquet to take a look back, but also to look forward.
Up for the Challenge, Weather or Not
The St. Louis pavement was steamy Sunday morning, July 8, as runners and walkers gathered at Forest Park for the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) Fitness Challenge. Despite the humidity, 81 athletically-minded Brethren turned out at 7 a.m. to participate in this popular Annual Conference event.
Today at Annual Conference – Tuesday
Photo by Regina Holmes Candles on some cloth formed the worship center for this evening’s young adult drum circle. Quotes of the day Photo by Regina Holmes Jennifer Leath preaches for Tuesday evening worship. She is a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a leader in the National Council of Churches’ young adult