{"id":19097,"date":"2022-07-13T23:43:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T23:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=19097"},"modified":"2022-07-24T04:04:57","modified_gmt":"2022-07-24T04:04:57","slug":"today-in-omaha-july-12-and-13-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2022\/today-in-omaha-july-12-and-13-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Omaha – July 12 and 13, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cLet everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!\u201d (Psalm 150:6, NRSVue).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found\u201d (Luke 15:31-32).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd looking at those who sat around him, he [Jesus] said, \u201cHere are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother\u201d (Mark 3:34-35, NRSVue).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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REPORTING FROM THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
1) Delegates adopt new documents to guide pastors\u2019 salaries and benefits, set COLA commensurate with rate of inflation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Conference adopts concerns of \u2018Query: Standing with People of Color,\u2019 sets in motion two-year study\/action process<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Leadership Team proposal to update polity for Annual Conference agencies is adopted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) In other Annual Conference business<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Chris Douglas and James Beckwith are honored for their years of service<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Young adults visit Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Annual Conference bits and pieces<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quotes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWalk in his ways (Deuteronomy 26:17).
Walk in love (Ephesians).
Walk humbly (Micah 6:8).
Walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Walk in wisdom (Proverbs 28:26).
Walk in the light (Isaiah 2:5).
Walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— The themes of the Annual Report video from the Church of the Brethren, presented during the Tuesday afternoon business session. The report, which features photos and videos of the denominational ministries, paired with scripture texts and spoken word, is online at www.youtube.com\/watch?v=K_NaUBkVL-A&t=1s<\/a> or find the link on the Church of the Brethren\u2019s home page at www.brethren.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Conferencegoers pose with some of the statues outside the CHI Health Center in Omaha. Photo by Donna Parcell<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Steve Reid leading in Bible study. Photo by Glenn Riegel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThink about George Floyd. \u2018I can\u2019t breathe.\u2019 \u2026 What does it mean in Psalm 150 when breath is so central? What does it mean when we cut off someone\u2019s breath, for our Christian faith? \u2026 The truth is that the vocation of the universe is to praise God. The challenge for us is that sin works against the intention of God\u2026. The Psalmist\u2019s imperative is to let everything that breathes praise the Lord and to let everything breathe\u2026. Every creature breathes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Stephen Breck Reid, vice provost for Faculty Diversity and Belonging at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, presenting Tuesday\u2019s Bible study alongside Denise Kettering-Lane of the faculty of Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Reid called on Conferencegoers to read Psalm 150 with new eyes, and led a meditative reading of the text inviting concern for creation care and concern for violence against the Black community.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt is important to reflect on barriers that divide us [in a time of polarization] and ways to address those barriers\u2026 Bible study can do that\u2026if understanding difference is allowed to come out of that experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Christina Bucher speaking for the Brethren Press and Messenger Dinner. She is the Carl W. Zigler Professor Emerita of Religion at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College and is co-writing a book on Luke and Acts with Robert W. Neff, whose denominational roles have included former general secretary of the Church of the Brethren and former faculty of Bethany Theological Seminary, among others. Their book is to be published by Brethren Press as the first in a new series titled \u201cTurning the World Upside Down: Biblical Studies for Anabaptists and Pietists.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Anna Lisa Gross preaches for the Tuesday evening worship service. Photo by Glenn Riegel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c\u2018Celebrate,\u2019 calls Jesus\u2026. To be Jesus in our neighborhood we have to give ourselves away\u2026. Give away our church building maybe, give away our balance sheets\u2026give away our resentments\u2026. We have to give up our nostalgia\u2026. When we have nothing left to lose, we have everything to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Tuesday\u2019s preacher, Anna Lisa Gross, speaking on the parable of the \u201cProdigal Son\u201d from Luke 15. She is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, co-interim district executive minister for South\/Central Indiana District, and part-time pastor at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Northern Indiana District.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOur salvation is personal but it isn\u2019t individual\u2026. The church is a family\u2026. The Church of the Brethren has an opportunity to continue to witness [this] to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Wednesday\u2019s preacher, Nathan Rittenhouse, pastor of New Hope Church of the Brethren in Green Bank, W.Va., speaking on Mark 3:31-35 and Romans 12:16.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Nathan Rittenhouse preaches for the Wednesday evening worship service. Photo by Keith Hollenberg<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Tune into Annual Conference worship services yet to come at www.brethren.org\/ac2022\/webcasts<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find photo albums from Omaha at www.brethren.org\/photos\/nggallery\/annual-conference-2022<\/a>. Expect more photos each day of the Conference to appear at this same link.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1) Delegates adopt new documents to guide pastors\u2019 salaries and benefits, set COLA commensurate with rate of inflation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Annual Conference on Tuesday adopted a new \u201cIntegrated Annual Ministry Agreement and Revised Guidelines for Pastors\u2019 Salaries and Benefits\u201d (new business item 5) and a \u201cRevised Minimum Cash Salary Table for Pastors\u201d (new business item 6) as presented by the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee (PCBAC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The delegates also approved the committee\u2019s recommendation for an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the Minimum Cash Salary Table for Pastors of 8.2 percent for 2023 (new business item 7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more at www.brethren.org\/news\/2022\/new-pastoral-compensation-documents<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Members of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee\u2013(from left) chair Deb Oskin, director of the Office of Ministry Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, and Dan Rudy\u2013bring items of business to the Conference. Photo by Glenn Riegel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2) Conference adopts concerns of \u2018Query: Standing with People of Color,\u2019 sets in motion two-year study\/action process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The delegate body on Tuesday, July 12, took action on \u201cQuery: Standing with People of Color\u201d (new business item 2) from Southern Ohio and Kentucky District, which asks, \u201cHow can the Church of the Brethren stand with People of Color to offer sanctuary from violence and dismantle systems of oppression and racial inequity in our congregations, neighborhoods, and throughout the nation?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Conference amended one sentence in the recommendation from the Standing Committee of district delegates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more at www.brethren.org\/news\/2022\/query-standing-with-people-of-color<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday\u2019s business items generated lines at the microphones. Shown here, Jennifer Quijano West, a Standing Committee delegate from Atlantic Northeast District, speaks to the delegate body. Photo by Glenn Riegel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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3) Leadership Team proposal to update polity for Annual Conference agencies is adopted<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The one unfinished business item coming to the 2022 Annual Conference was adopted on Wednesday, July 13. The item, \u201cUpdate to Polity Regarding Annual Conference Agencies\u201d (unfinished business 1) was brought by the denomination\u2019s Leadership Team, which includes the Conference officers, the general secretary, a representative of the Council of District Executives, and the Conference director as ex-officio staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This item originated at the 2017 Annual Conference, in response to a recommendation from On Earth Peace–one of the three Annual Conference agencies along with Bethany Theological Seminary and Eder Financial (formerly Brethren Benefit Trust).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more at www.brethren.org\/news\/2022\/polity-for-annual-conference-agencies<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Irvin Heishman, co-chair of the board of On Earth Peace, was one of those speaking from the floor on the proposed polity for Annual Conference agencies. Photo by Keith Hollenberg<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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4) In other Annual Conference business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Conference adopted amendments to the \u201cEthics in Ministry Relations\u201d polity (new business item 1)<\/strong> in a section about appeals that involve termination of a ministerial license or ordination by a district. The amendments were brought by the Standing Committee of district delegates, which is the body that receives and hears such appeals. The amendments recognize Standing Committee\u2019s need for more time to prepare to receive appeals; provide leeway when two or more appeals are received within a stated time period; and clarify in polity the current Standing Committee Appeal Process requiring that \u201cthe dissatisfied party shall have exhausted every means of resolution or reconsideration\u201d at the district level before an appeal. One amendment was made, clarifying that when an appeal is received less than 60 days prior to the next Standing Committee meeting, it may be postponed to a subsequent meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revisions to the bylaws of the Church of the Brethren Inc.<\/strong> (new business item 4) were adopted<\/strong> by the two-thirds majority required for polity. Brought by the denomination\u2019s Mission and Ministry Board, the revisions include a variety of nonsubstantial changes to the bylaws, correcting inconsistencies and grammatical errors, ensuring greater clarity, and aligning polity with current practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A three-person study committee<\/strong> was elected as part of the response to \u201cQuery: Breaking Down Barriers\u201d: Jeanne Davies, Brandon Grady, and Daniel Poole.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A table facilitator holds up cards on which are written vote totals for his table, one color for “yes” votes and the other color for “no” votes. Photo by Keith Hollenberg<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Board-elected and constituency-elected directors and trustees were affirmed or reported to the Conference:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mission and Ministry Board:<\/em><\/strong> Michaela Alphonse,<\/strong> Miami (Fla.) First Church of the Brethren, in Atlantic Southeast District<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bethany Seminary Board of Trustees:<\/em><\/strong> Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff,<\/strong> Peace Covenant Church of the Brethren, Durham, N.C., Virlina District; and Michele Firebaugh,<\/strong> Freeport Church of the Brethren, Winnebago, Ill., Illinois and Wisconsin District<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Earth Peace Board<\/em><\/strong>: Beverly S. Eikenberry<\/strong>, Manchester (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, South\/Central Indiana District; Jessica (Jessie) Houff,<\/strong> Washington (D.C.) City Church of the Brethren, Mid-Atlantic District; Tamara Shaw,<\/strong> Arlington, Va.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eder Financial (formerly Brethren Benefit Trust): <\/em>Donna March<\/strong>, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill., Illinois and Wisconsin District; Randy Yoder<\/strong>, Huntingdon (Pa.) Stone Church of the Brethren, Middle Pennsylvania District; Katherine Allen Haff<\/strong>, Manchester (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, South\/Central Indiana District<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the full background documents for the business agenda linked at www.brethren.org\/ac2022\/business<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5) Chris Douglas and James Beckwith are honored for their years of service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Annual Conference celebrated the service of Chris Douglas, who retired as Conference director last year, and James Beckwith, who is completing 10 years as Conference secretary, with presentations during the Tuesday afternoon business session. A reception followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more at www.brethren.org\/news\/2022\/chris-douglas-and-james-beckwith-honored<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Chris Douglas (left), who last year retired as Annual Conference director, receives a quilted wallhanging from the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren. Photo by Glenn Riegel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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6) Young adults visit Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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By Jess Hoffert<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday afternoon, a group of nine Brethren young adults carpooled to Tri-Faith, a spacious campus home to Temple Israel, Countryside Community Church, and American Muslim Institute. The three independent religious communities are all connected by a circular walkway known as Abraham\u2019s Bridge, surrounded by native plants and near a community garden and orchard tended by all three groups. It\u2019s the only place of its kind in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more at www.brethren.org\/news\/2022\/young-adults-visit-tri-faith-initiative<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Jess Hoffert<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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7) Annual Conference bits and pieces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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By the numbers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1,315 total registration<\/strong> including 425 delegates, 748 nondelegates, plus 142 nondelegates attending virtually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$10,617.71 was received for Girls, Inc. of Omaha<\/strong> in the Tuesday worship offering, which also included donations of material goods. A staff member and three girls who take part in the program were present and one of the girls spoke about her experience of receiving life training, job preparation, opportunity to be part of a music group, and more. A great pile of donations including back packs, sports equipment, hygiene supplies, and more were stacked against the front of the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$6,559.46 was received for the Core Ministries<\/strong> of the Church of the Brethren denomination, in Wednesday\u2019s offering during worship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Conferencegoer gives blood. Photo by Keith Hollenberg<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Children’s activities included field trips around Omaha. Photo by Michele Gibbel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Online donation totals<\/strong> received to date: Thursday (Transportation) – $200, Wednesday (Core Ministries) – $475, Monday (Ministerial Training) – $400, Sunday (Annual Conference) – $1,400, Webcasting – $300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

101 total pints of blood<\/strong> were donated in the Annual Conference Blood Drive sponsored by Brethren Disaster Ministries in partnership with the American Red Cross.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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— A series of skits or short plays have been performed during worship services, under the theme \u201cTouching Moments from Our Past.\u201d<\/strong> Written and enacted by Frank Ramirez and Jennifer Keeney Scarr, they have presented events from Brethren history in ways that are evocative of the struggles and challenges facing the church today, including past church splits in the 1880s–the topic of the Monday evening performance titled \u201cWhy Did Henry Holsinger Cross the Road?\u201d–and the division in the country during the Civil War, among others. If you\u2019re interested in using one of these skits at your church, contact Ramirez at ramirez.frank.r@gmail.com<\/a> or Keeney Scarr at jkscarr07@gmail.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why did Henry Holsinger cross the road? One of the short plays performed during worship. Photo by Keith Hollenberg<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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(Photo by Glenn Riegel)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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— The Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA)<\/strong> gave its annual awards at a luncheon on Tuesday. The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Dennis Beckner for his involvement with Camp Alexander Mack. The Staff Member of the Year Award was presented to Karen Dillon for her dedicated service to Camp Sugarwood. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

–– As of Wednesday midday, <\/strong>there were at least 15 cases of COVID among Conference participants, according to an announcement from Conference director Rhonda Pittman Gingrich. She has continued to repeat reminders to \u201cwear your masks and be careful.\u201d She encouraged Conferencegoers to take advantage of free COVID tests in the first aid office, get tested if they feel any symptoms, and inform the Conference office of any positive results. Those who must isolate may request a remote log in to continue to participate virtually in business and worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Correction: <\/strong>Monday\u2019s Newsline incorrectly identified the district that Ben Polzin represents on Standing Committee. He is a delegate from Northern Ohio District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The children’s choir. Photo by Keith Hollenberg<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Fellowship with international guests. Photo by Donna Parcell<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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