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\nChurch of the Brethren Newsline
\nJuly\u00a06,\u00a02018<\/b><\/p>\n
\nChurch of the Brethren Newsline
\nJuly\u00a06,\u00a02018<\/b><\/p>\n
Today\u2019s worship theme: Called to Worship<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFor all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted\u201d (Luke 18:14).<\/em><\/p>\n Quotes of the day:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cA parable is something cast alongside the truth, tossed out for better understanding…. Truth served up in the form of a story.\u201d \u201cYour stories and narratives showed a hope beyond hope for our team…. Salvation through Christ was the main reason we feel compelled to follow Jesus.\u201d \u201cFor the preparation of sermons, for the direction of Bible study, for the general administration of the church, for pastoral care and visitation, and for all those things not in the job description that come up day to day…teach us to support and affirm our pastors.\u201d \u201cBrethren in the US need to take up the task of loving our neighbors, whatever religion they hold…. We are called to love God and love our neighbors without qualifiers about who those neighbors are.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI am overwhelmed by your kindness today…. Your gifts–I cannot begin to tell you–cannot come at a better time.\u201d \u201cEnter a symbolic spiritual revolution!\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWorship begins when our hearts are in the right place, and when our hearts are in the right place worship never ends.\u201d By the numbers:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Registration total<\/strong>\u00a0at the end of the day: 2,216 including 673 delegates and 1,543 nondelegates<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s offering<\/strong>\u00a0received during worship, to benefit disaster relief in Puerto Rico: $14,773<\/p>\n Donations of cash, checks, and gift cards<\/strong>to the Witness to the Host City, to benefit First Step Home: $9,492.75. This total does not include the donations of goods and items such as diapers for use by the organization that serves women and children in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n Webcast views:<\/strong>\u00a0Thursday evening worship drew 250 live viewers and 700 views by Friday morning.<\/p>\n Ministry Assistance Fund:<\/strong>\u00a0The Minister\u2019s Association raised $2,102 for the fund.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clergywomen: Save this date!<\/strong><\/p>\n At the Clergywomen\u2019s Breakfast, the “Quinquennial Church of the Brethren Clergywomen\u2019s Retreat” was announced for Jan. 6-9, 2020. The retreat for ordained, licensed, and commissioned women ministers will be held at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., as “a time of spiritual renewal, refreshment, and precious time with sisters in ministry.” Mandy Smith, pastor of University Christian Church in Cincinnati, will be the speaker.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SERRV store returns to Annual Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n The SERRV store has returned to the Exhibit Hall this year, after Conference-goers missed the opportunity to purchase the organization\u2019s fair trade goods that offer fair compensation to craftspeople and chocolate, tea, and coffee farmers around the world. The store this year is being offered on a consignment basis, run by Northern Ohio District volunteers with leadership from pastor Tina Hunt. Purchases at SERRV this year have a doubly good purpose–a percentage of the money from each item that is purchased is being contributed to the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more onsite coverage of Annual Conference go to\u00a0www.brethren.org\/ac\/2018\/coverage<\/a>\u00a0.<\/em><\/p>\n The news coverage of Annual Conference 2018 is made possible through the work of communications staff and a volunteer news team: Frank Ramirez, Conference Journal editor; photographers Glenn Riegel, Regina Holmes, Keith Hollenberg, Donna Parcell, Laura Brown; writers Frances Townsend, Karen Garrett, Alyssa Parker; youth team member Allie Dulabaum; web staff Jan Fischer Bachman, Russ Otto; Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services; Wendy McFadden, publisher. Contact\u00a0cobnews@brethren.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/09\/compelling-vision-process.png\")
\n— Bible study leader Dana Cassell, explaining that Greek words for \u201ctoss\u201d and \u201calongside\u201d put together are translated as \u201cparable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n— Brian Messler reporting on outcomes of the first Compelling Vision session held with the delegate body, when questions for \u201ctable talk\u201d discussion included, \u201cWhat compels you to follow Jesus?\u201d The Compelling Vision table talk continued today with several more questions. Delegates and nondelegates were invited to share in small groups their thoughts about shared values, themes that are emerging, and more.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n— David Shumate leading a prayer affirming pastors, during the report of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n— Tim Speicher during the report from the committee on \u201cVision of Ecumenism for the 21st Century.\u201d He served as convenor for the committee.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/09\/youth-pack-up-donations-for.png\")
\n— Margot Spence, president and CEO of First Step Home, thanking the Conference for the donations to the Witness to the Host City. First Step Home is a drug and alcohol treatment program in Cincinnati for women and children, allowing children up to age 12 to stay with their mothers in treatment.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n— Bethany Seminary professor Scott Holland speaking about the \u201cinvitation of theopoetics\u201d for the Brethren Press and Messenger Dinner.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/09\/rosanna-eller-mcfadden.png\")
\n— Rosanna Eller McFadden preaching for the evening worship service on the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/09\/clergywomens-breakfast-group.png\")
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