The Bethany Theological Seminary Luncheon during Annual Conference was held on Friday, July 4. Following a delicious meal in a comfortably filled large room we learned:
A few facts from the Bethany Seminary Luncheon
Panel explores how collective trauma impacts the church
After a day of challenging business–challenging both in themes and understanding of process–90 people gathered for the Womaen’s Caucus dinner to explore how collective trauma impacts the Church of the Brethren. Singing the African-American spiritual “There Is More Love” grounded the gathering in God’s healing presence.
‘Love in Context’ equipping session offers biblical and historical reflections on the meaning of love
Agape love in the Bible and the love found in Church of the Brethren communities of faith has more to do with how we act towards and with each other than it has to do with any “second-hand emotion,” as confirmed by Dan Ulrich and Denise Kettering-Lane, faculty members at Bethany Theological Seminary. The two spoke at an equipping session on Friday evening at the Annual Conference.
Outdoor Ministries Association presents Staff Member/Camp Director of the Year Award and a rare Four Horsemen Award
Erica Leeds, director of Camp Carmel in North Carolina, received the Staff Member/Camp Director of the Year Award from the Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) at an annual breakfast event Friday morning at Annual Conference.
‘Brethren Disaster Ministries has really opened my mind’
“Growing up in a small country I always wanted to try new things,” said Lieketseng “Keke” Phooko, who hails from Lesotho, a country entirely surrounded by South Africa. “I always wanted to be outside of my home country to practice English.” Phooko has been able to do these things, and so much more, working for Brethren Disaster Ministries.
First query considered by delegates is referred to the Review and Evaluation Committee
The “Query: Concerns about Current Practices Related to Matters of Sexuality,” after an energetic discussion by the delegate body, was referred to the Review and Evaluation Committee.
Anabaptism at 500 and Pietism at 350: Why does it matter?
Are Brethren Anabaptist? Are Brethren Pietist? Are we both? Are these questions important for Brethren in 2025? Those are some questions Denise Kettering-Lane answered during an equipping session sponsored by Bethany Theological Seminary.
Dewey and Melissa Williard serve as Annual Conference onsite coordinators for the fifth time
Onsite coordinator is not a thankless job, but it can be invisible. Each year’s coordinators are listed in the Annual Conference booklet, and their work is celebrated by the Annual Conference director, and receives applause. But it is an essential and largely invisible task!
Brethren tour the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro
Conferencegoers who traveled to the old Woolworth’s building in Greensboro, N.C., which now houses the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, visited the original lunch counter where the Civil Rights movement’s lunch counter sit ins began.
Eder Financial’s agency status is renewed
The delegates to the Church of the Brethren 2025 Annual Conference voted to continue the agency status of Eder Financial (formerly Brethren Benefit Trust or BBT). This allows Eder Financial to continue as an agency reportable to Annual Conference and authorized to use the Church of the Brethren name.
