{"id":4986,"date":"2018-07-08T21:48:34","date_gmt":"2018-07-08T21:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.brethren.org\/news\/?p=4986"},"modified":"2018-09-27T21:57:39","modified_gmt":"2018-09-27T21:57:39","slug":"aannual-conference-by-the-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/aannual-conference-by-the-numbers\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual Conference by the numbers, and more from Cincinnati"},"content":{"rendered":"

Church of the Brethren Newsline
\nJuly\u00a08,\u00a02018<\/b><\/p>\n

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A participant in the junior high activities\u00a0experiences one of the prayer stations offered on Saturday evening. Photo by Keith Hollenberg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

—\u00a0For complete coverage of Annual Conference 2018 see\u00a0www.brethren.org\/ac\/2018\/coverage<\/a>\u00a0.<\/strong>\u00a0This index page offers links to news reports, photo albums, the \u201cConference Journal,\u201d webcasts, selected sermon texts, worship bulletins, and more. Some highlights of the additional coverage available online:<\/p>\n

Photo albums<\/strong>\u00a0covering all the major events of the Conference as well as most of the additional activities and areas like the Exhibit Hall give a broad holistic picture of this year\u2019s annual meeting of the Brethren, see\u00a0www.bluemelon.com\/churchofthebrethren\/
\nannualconference2018<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

Reviews of selected insight sessions, meal programs, and other events include:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCandlelight vigil prays for separated families<\/strong>\u201d at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/
\ncandlelight-vigil-prays-for-separated-families.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA road to freedom<\/strong>,\u201d a reflection on the experience of visiting the Underground Railroad center in Cincinnati at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/
\na-road-to-freedom.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBethany Seminary unveils new logo<\/strong>,\u00a0recognizes Tara Hornbacker\u2019s retirement<\/strong>\u201d at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/
\nbethany-seminary-unveils-logo.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cElephants, faith, and focus: Notes from the Almuerzo<\/strong>\u201d at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/
\nelephants-faith-and-focus.html<\/a><\/p>\n

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Young adults meet with Doris Abdullah, the Church of the Brethren representative to the UN. Abdullah hosted a booth in the exhibit hall focused on the problem of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Photo by Laura Brown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u201cPoetry is something you discover<\/strong>\u201d at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/
\npoetry-is-something-you-discover.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA BRF leader reflects on how a divided house can stand<\/strong>\u201d at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/
\nbrf-leader-reflects-on-divided-house.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWorld War I and the Church of the Brethren<\/strong>\u201d at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/news\/2018\/
\nworld-war-i-and-the-church-of.html<\/a><\/p>\n

The daily \u201cConference Journal\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0news sheet that was handed out on paper with the worship bulletins is available online in pdf format, links are at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/ac\/2018\/coverage<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

Recordings of the webcasts<\/strong>\u00a0of worship services and business sessions are still able to viewed at\u00a0www.brethren.org\/ac\/2018\/webcasts<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

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Intercultural Ministries director Gimbiya Kettering and her daughter at the Families Belong Together candlelight vigil on July 4, during the 2018 Annual Conference. Photo by Glenn Riegel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

— By the numbers:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2,233<\/strong>\u00a0people registered for the 2018 Annual Conference including 673 delegates (667 were present onsite) and 1,560 nondelegates.<\/p>\n

2,088<\/strong>\u00a0people attended the opening worship service of the Conference on Wednesday evening, July 4, topping the attendance figures for the week. Some 1,631 people were in worship on Thursday, 1,475 on Friday, 1,304 on Saturday, and 1,173 in the closing worship service on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

$60,223.80<\/strong>\u00a0was received in offerings including $14,774 on Wednesday for the Nigeria Crisis Response, $13,157.03 on Thursday to support Church of the Brethren Core Ministries, $14,773 on Friday for disaster relief in Puerto Rico, $8,755.52 on Saturday for ministry among the Batwa (Pygmy) communities in the Great Lakes region of Africa, and $8,764.25 on Sunday to help pay for Spanish translation for Annual Conference–both written translation of documents and the live translation that is offered during the event.<\/p>\n

$9,492.75<\/strong>\u00a0was donated in the form of cash, checks, and gift cards to benefit First Step Home, the recipient of this year\u2019s Witness to the Host City. 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

$8,100<\/strong>\u00a0was raised for world hunger by the quilt auction of the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren, where 8 quilts and quilted wall hangings were sold–some twice over.<\/p>\n

$2,102<\/strong>\u00a0was raised for the Ministry Assistance Fund by the Minister\u2019s Association.<\/p>\n

159 total pints<\/strong>\u00a0were received by the blood drive, including 85 on Thursday and 74 on Friday<\/p>\n

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“The Not-so-Big Church” is the Church of the Brethren’s annual report in video format for 2018.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThe Not-so-big Church\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0is the title of a video section of the annual Church of the Brethren report this year. Presented in cartoon format, the video shows an illustrator drawing the story of the \u201cNot-so-big Church\u201d that had big ideas, and how those ideas have played out in the past year. The big ideas of this \u201cnot-so-big\u201d Church of the Brethren include Children\u2019s Disaster Services, disaster aid to Puerto Rico, the church\u2019s growth in Spain and the Great Lakes region of Africa, and much more. View the video in the \u201cfeature box\u201d at\u00a0<\/span>www.brethren.org<\/a>\u00a0.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bethany Seminary president Jeff Carter reports to Annual Conference–and displays the new logo of the seminary on his tie. Photo by Glenn Riegel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—\u00a0Bethany Theological Seminary unveiled a new logo<\/strong>\u00a0and tag line at its annual luncheon July 6, during the 2018 Annual Conference. The event also recognized recent graduates of the seminary and the Brethren Academy, and heard a presentation from retiring professor Tara Hornbacker. President Jeff Carter gave a preview of the full report he would give to the delegate body that afternoon including an introduction to the new logo. The logo\u2019s image of a book opening, with the colors yellow and green added to Bethany blue, point to the unfolding of knowledge, hope, and growth that come from education. The logo is a visual of the new Bethany tag line, \u201c…so that the world flourishes.\u201d The tag line is designed to be placed at the end of a phrase such as \u201cPracticing conflict transformation… so that the world flourishes,\u201d or \u201cLiving a Spirit-filled life… so that the world flourishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

—\u00a0Recognitions and awards were given<\/strong>\u00a0during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting. The Bittersweet Gospel Band received the\u00a0Revelation 7:9 Award<\/strong>\u00a0from Intercultural Ministries. Present to receive the award were current and past members of the band including Gilbert Romero, Scott Duffey, Leah Hileman, David Sollenberger, Andy Duffey, and Thomas Dowdy.\u00a0Three congregations received Open Roof recognition<\/strong>\u00a0by Discipleship Ministries (formerly Congregational Life Ministries) staff Stan Dueck and disabilities advocate Rebekah Flores: Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, Harrisburg (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren, and Snake Spring Valley (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0International guests were recognized<\/strong>\u00a0and introduced by Global Mission and Service executive Jay Wittmeyer. They included guests from Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and the Church of the Brethren in Venezuela. Guests from EYN included president Joel Billi and his wife, Salamatu Billi; Yuguda Mdurvwa, director of EYN\u2019s Disaster Response Ministry; and EYN liaison officer Markus Gamache and his wife, Janada Markus. Guests from Iglesia de los Hermanos Venezuela (ASIGLEH) included Jose Ramon and Anna Pe\u00f1a, who were accompanied by their son Joel Pe\u00f1a, who pastors in Lancaster, Pa. Jose Ramon Pe\u00f1a serves as spiritual advisor and a pastoral leader for ASIGLEH.<\/p>\n

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The top finishers in the BBT Fitness Challenge 5K (from left) female and male walkers and male and female runners, and their times: Susan Fox (40:42), Don Shankster (35:56), Matthew Muthler (18:48), and Karen Stutzman (25:03). Photo by Glenn Riegel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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—\u00a0Clergywomen: save this date!<\/strong>\u00a0At the Clergywomen\u2019s Breakfast, the \u201cQuinquennial Church of the Brethren Clergywomen\u2019s Retreat\u201d 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 \u201ca time of spiritual renewal, refreshment, and precious time with sisters in ministry.\u201d Mandy Smith, pastor of University Christian Church in Cincinnati, will be the speaker.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0The SERRV store returned to Annual Conference this year,<\/strong>\u00a0after 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 was offered on a consignment basis, run by Northern Ohio District volunteers with leadership from pastor Tina Hunt. Purchases had a doubly good purpose–a percentage of the money from each item purchased was contributed to the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries.<\/p>\n

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Nigerian women share in the insight session about Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) and the Church of the Brethren. They were part of a group of EYN members who participated in the Cincinnati Conference from BEST, a Nigeria organization of business people who support the church’s evangelism efforts. Photo by Donna Parcell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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—\u00a0The Annual Conference news team celebrated Regina Holmes\u2019 20th year<\/strong>\u00a0on the team as a volunteer photographer. She has served under several different news directors over the years, and has spent countless hours in Conference business sessions and worship services working to get just the right pictures of church leaders in action. View her photos and those taken by the group of talented photographers who documented the Conference this year in Cincinnati at\u00a0www.bluemelon.com\/churchofthebrethren\/
\nannualconference2018<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

—\u00a0See you in Greensboro!<\/strong>\u00a0Don\u2019t forget to head east, not west for Annual Conference next year at Koury Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel in Greensboro, N.C. Dates are July 3-7, 2019.<\/p>\n

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Clergywomen’s Breakfast group celebrates 60 years of women’s full ordination to the ministry. Photo by Regina Holmes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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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

Go to\u00a0www.brethren.org\/Newsline<\/a>\u00a0to subscribe to the Church of the Brethren Newsline free e-mail news service and receive church news every week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where to find more online coverage on the 2018 Annual Conference, Conference \u201cby the numbers,\u201d \u201cThe Not-so-big Church\u201d video report, Bethany\u2019s new logo, Revelation 7:9 Award, Open Roof congregations, international guests, 5K top finishers, clergywomen\u2019s retreat, more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1312],"wf_post_folders":[],"class_list":["post-4986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-annual-conference-2018"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4986"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5004,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4986\/revisions\/5004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4986"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=4986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}