Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) Board chairwoman Deb Romary unexpectedly resigned from the BBT Board of Directors on July 5, immediately following the action by the Annual Conference delegate body on two business items related to issues of human sexuality. She had served as chairwoman of the BBT Board since July 2010. She was elected by the BBT Board in Nov. 2010 to serve a second four-year term; that election was affirmed on July 4 by the Annual Conference delegate body.
Interfaith Coalition Says Houses of Worship Cannot Cover Cuts to Poverty Programs
An interfaith coalition of religious leaders has launched a new campaign to encourage policymakers to maintain a robust US commitment to domestic and international poverty programs. The group includes Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger.
Church of the Brethren Pastor Arrested, Relinquishes Credentials
Dennis L. Brown, who has served since Nov. 2006 as interim pastor and then pastor of Ivester Church of the Brethren in Grundy Center, Iowa, was arrested July 8. He is charged with sexual abuse in the third degree.
Newsline for July 14, 2011
Stories include 1. Open Roof Award is presented to Oakton Church of the Brethren. 2. Interfaith coalition says houses of worship cannot cover cuts to poverty programs. 3. McPherson College group returns from Haiti with new perspective. 4. Church of the Brethren pastor arrested, relinquishes credentials. 5. International Day of Prayer for Peace organizers seek 200 churches. 6. Next church webinar is on ‘Befriending a New Vision.’ 7. BBT Board calls new leadership following resignation of its chair. 8. Karn to direct buildings and grounds at New Windsor Service Center. 9. Williams named to new position at Bethany Seminary. 10. From the Moderator: Charge to the 2011 Annual Conference. 11. Brethren bits: Correction, remembrance, CDS to Minot, and more.
From the Moderator: Charge to the 2011 Annual Conference
A reflection from Annual Conference moderator Tim Harvey: “During this past year (and especially during the week at Grand Rapids) I’ve learned how deeply you love the church…. I’ve also learned that although we love the church, we have a lot of work to do–more than we expected–to learn what it means to love one another…. I pledge to you that as I travel around the denomination over the coming months, I am willing to have any conversation with any person about any aspect of life and ministry. I will do what is in my power and ability to make those conversations safe. Already, some of you have reached out to me to continue these conversations.”
Open Roof Award Is Presented to Oakton Church of the Brethren
Mark 2:3-4 (the story of people breaking through a roof to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus) was the inspiration for the creation of the Open Roof Award in 2004, established to recognize a congregation or district in the Church of the Brethren that has made great strides in its attempt to serve, as well as be served by, people with disabilities.
Annual Conference Attendee Receives Death Threat
A credible death threat was received by an attendee of the 2011 Annual Conference. The recipient of the threat is a gay person, and the threat made reference to the person’s sexuality. A statement about the threat was shared with the Conference at the start of the extra evening business session on July 5, which was made necessary by the length of time taken for Special Response discussions related to human sexuality.
La Conferencia Anual de 2011 ha actuado sobre dos artículos relacionados al tema de la sexualidad
La Conferencia Anual de 2011 ha actuado sobre dos artículos relacionados al tema de la sexualidad: “Una declaración de Confesión y Compromiso” y “Pregunta: Lenguaje sobre relaciones de acuerdo entre individuos del mismo sexo”. Los mismos han sido tema de un proceso de Respuesta Especial durante los últimos dos años en la Iglesia de los Hermanos.
Newsline Overview of the 2011 Annual Conference
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.”