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.
Three Churches Receive Open Roof Award
Three churches were chosen to receive the annual Open Roof Award, presented Saturday during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting. The award recognizes Church of the Brethren congregations or districts that have made great strides in becoming more accessible to people with disabilities.
Today at Annual Conference – Saturday
A review of the opening day of the 2012 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo.
MOR Offers Guidelines for Setting the Tone of Annual Conference
The Ministry of Reconciliation of On Earth Peace has been asked by the Annual Conference leadership to help the denomination create a culture of respect and a climate of safety at this year’s annual meeting. The following communication from the MoR staff of On Earth Peace shares some expectations for those attending the 2012 Annual Conference:
Newsline for June 28, 2012
Today’s Newsline articles are 1) Young adults contemplate ‘being the church.’ 2) Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act; Brethren Insurance Services remains compliant. 3) Endowment, donations help fund Haiti Health Program. 4) Bethany Seminary begins its search for a new president. 5) Brethren church in Kaduna, Nigeria, has been burned. 6) Nigerian Brethren hold 65th Annual General Church Council. 7) Follow Annual Conference via Church of the Brethren news coverage. 8) MoR offers guidelines for setting the tone of Annual Conference. 9) Annual Conference bits and pieces. 10) Mission Alive 2012 is held to invigorate interest in mission. 11) Planning begins for NOAC 2013. and 12) Brethren bits.