This week’s issue includes news of the International Day of Prayer for Peace bringing communities together, a Peace Prayer Wall posted by the World Council of Churches, a presentation by a WCC leader on peace and justice, upcoming events including preachers for the 2012 Annual Conference and the next Brethren webinar, order info for the Advent Devotional from Brethren Press, a report from the Brethren representative to the UN, and more “Brethren bits.”
Annual Conference
Brueggemann to Preach for 2012 Annual Conference
Preachers, worship leaders, and music leadership for the daily worship services at the 2012 Annual Conference have been announced. The 2012 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren takes place in St. Louis, Mo., on July 7-11 next year. Renowned Lutheran scholar, preacher, and writer Walter Brueggemann will speak for the opening worship service of the Conference.
Newsline for August 11, 2011
Newsline for August 11, 2011: Stories include 1. Capitol Building Prayer vigil participants arrested. 2. Training schedule announced by Children’s Disaster Services. 3. McPherson College recognized for community service. 4. Brethren Benefit Trust hosts Church Benefits Association. 5. New Windsor Conference Center Director resigns. 6. Ronald E. Wyrick to serve as Interim District Executive.
Newsline for June 30, 2011
News stories: 1) Conference business addresses issues related to sexuality, church ethics, climate change, decorum. 2) Ministries of reconciliation and listening will offer assistance at Annual Conference. 3) Church leader signs on to letters about Afghanistan, Medicaid budget. 4) Group is encouraging local CPS anniversary celebrations. 5) Disaster fund gives $30,000 to start Pulaski Country rebuilding project. 6) Hiroshima monument is dedicated to founder of friendship center. 7) Joan Daggett resigns from Shenandoah District leadership. 8) Jorge Rivera ends service as associate executive for Puerto Rico. 9) Pérez-Borges to serve as associate executive in Atlantic Southeast District. 10) BBT calls John McGough to serve as CFO. 11) Brethren bits: Personnel, job openings, college news, 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.”