ANNUAL CONFERENCE REVIEW via Newsline

Newsline The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service

Question of the Week What are your thoughts about Sunday’s emphasis on spiritual renewal? “This is directing our focus where it should be, especially before we are in business sessions. I appreciated the emphasis on grace.” -- Lee Smith, Mount Joy congregation in Pennsylvania -- One of the comments by Conference-goers about the Day of Spiritual Renewal held on Sunday at Annual Conference. The day included two worship services with popular speakers Philip Yancey and Mark Yaconelli, a concert of prayer, Equipping Workshops on a wide variety of topics along with meal events including the Brethren Press and Messenger dinner with Stanley Hauerwas, and a reception in the Exhibit Hall hosted by the Mission and Ministry Board and staff of the Church of the Brethren. For more responses to the Day of Spiritual Renewal, go towww.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/ question-of-the-week.html . Photos in our Annual Conference coverage are by Glenn Riegel, Regina Holmes, Debbie Surin, and Alysson Wittmeyer. Writers include Frank Ramirez, Karen Garrett, Frances Townsend, Mandy Garcia, and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford July 4, 2013 REVIEW OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013  1) Annual Conference recognizes the new Church of the Brethren in Spain. Recognition of the Church of the Brethren movement taking hold in Spain was given with enthusiasm by the delegate body. The proposal was presented by Tim Harvey from Standing Committee and Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/annual-conference-recognizes-church-in-spain.html 2) Conference decides that 1979 paper on Biblical Inspiration and Authority is still relevant. The Conference delegates have decided that a 1979 Annual Conference statement titled “Biblical Inspiration and Authority” is still relevant today, in response to a query on biblical authority. The query from Hopewell Church of the Brethren and Virlina District asked if the 1979 Annual Conference statement is still relevant to the denomination, given what “appears to be a great diversity in approach to the primacy of scripture in general and the New Testament in particular within the Church of the Brethren.” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/conference-decides-1979-paper-still-relevant.html 3) Resolution Against Drone Warfare is adopted. The 2013 Annual Conference has adopted a Resolution Against Drone Warfare. Developed by the Office of Public Witness, the document was passed on to the Conference by the Mission and Ministry Board, which had adopted the resolution at a meeting earlier this year. The resolution is thought to be the first statement against military drones by an American church body. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/annual-conference-adopts-resolution-against-drone-warfare.html 4) Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity is returned for further work. The Annual Conference received the Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity with appreciation for the work that has been done on the document, but returned it to the Mission and Ministry Board “for revision in accordance with Standing Committee concerns, to be brought back to the 2014 Annual Conference.” Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/revision-of-ministerial-leadership-polity-returned.html 5) Proposal on more equitable representation returns to Mission and Ministry Board. A proposal prepared by the Mission and Ministry Board to respond to a query on equitable representation on the board has been returned for further work. The board was directed by the 2012 Annual Conference to respond to the query. However, the board’s proposed amendments to the bylaws of the Church of the Brethren did not receive enough votes. Because the proposal would have changed polity, a two-thirds majority was required. In a separate decision, the Conference approved a proposal to increase the membership on the Executive Committee of the Mission and Ministry Board. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/proposal-on-more-equitable-representation-returned.html 6) Election results, David Steele to serve as moderator of the 2015 Annual Conference. The Annual Conference has chosen David Steele of Martinsburg, Pa., as moderator elect. He will assist moderator Nancy Sollenberger Heishman in leading the Conference next year in Columbus, Ohio, and will serve as moderator for the Conference in Tampa, Fla., in 2015. Other election results also are reported. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/election-results-from-2013-annual-conference.html 7) Agency appointees are confirmed by the delegates. The four Annual Conference agencies presented appointees to be confirmed to their boards by the delegate body. The Conference confirmed all of the appointments as follows. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/agency-appointees-confirmed.html 8) Mission and Ministry Board adopts budget parameter for 2014, welcomes international guests. A budget parameter for the Core Ministries budget for 2014 was adopted by the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board in its meeting on Saturday, June 29. Also on the agenda was the welcoming of international visitors, recognition of board members completing terms of service, a financial update, an update on the Brethren Service Center campus, reports from Global Mission and Service and Congregational Life Ministries. Open Roof Awards were given to four congregations. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/mission-and-ministry-board.html 9) Bethany luncheon features conversation between past president and new president. The Bethany Theological Seminary and Brethren Academy luncheon, hosted by the Bethany Alumni/ae Coordinating Council, is a time to recognize recent graduates of the seminary and the academy programs, current students, faculty, and staff. The event featured a conversation with Jeffrey Carter, who was in his second day as the new president of Bethany Seminary, and president emerita Ruthann Knechel Johansen, who was in her second day of retirement Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/bethany-luncheon-features-presidents.html 10) Conference donates backpacks of school supplies in witness to host city. Annual Conference attendees offered a mountain of backpacks filled with school supplies during Sunday afternoon's worship service. This special offering for the Conference host city of Charlotte, N.C., was a unique way that the Church of the Brethren bears witness to the generosity, service, and love of Jesus. Two days later, during a business session, moderator Bob Krouse presented the backpacks to Jill Dineen, executive director of Classroom Central. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/conference-donates-school-supplies.html 11) Ecumenical visitors include Disciples president, BDM partner. Ecumenical guests were introduced to the delegate body during the Monday business session. General secretary Stanley Noffsinger introduced Sharon E. Watkins, president and general minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Zach Wolgemuth of Brethren Disaster Ministries introduced Charlie Gockel, a partner in the home rebuilding project site in Prattsville, N.Y. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/ecumenical-visitors-to-conference.html 12) BBT 5K contributes to On Earth Peace ‘3,000 Miles for Peace.’ At 7 a.m. Sunday, 37 walkers and 64 runners gathered in Freedom Regional Park in Charlotte, N.C., to participate in the 2013 Fitness Challenge sponsored by Brethren Benefit Trust. BBT president Nevin Dulabaum shared that this year’s race had a unique component: it was a designated “3,000 Miles for Peace” event. All participants had the opportunity to log miles and raise dollars to donate to the Paul Ziegler Young Peacemakers Fund, which undergirds the peace-building efforts of On Earth Peace. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/bbt-5k-contributes-to-3000-miles-for-peace.html 13) Experiencing God’s love: A young adult conversation with Mark Yaconelli. Nineteen young adults gathered for casual conversation with Mark Yaconelli on Saturday evening at Annual Conference in Charlotte. A circle of chairs filled the small conference room, and the group conversation was comfortable. Brief introductions were made before Mark told a story to set the theme for our time together. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/experiencing-gods-love.html 14) Sending of the Seventy helps bring healing to Northern Plains District. Northern Plains District held an Insight Session during Annual Conference to explain a program that was developed to help bring healing at a time when the district had become deeply divided and tensions were high. While dealing with this strife, district executive Tim Button-Harrison attended a conference on the Missional Church. The focus was on Luke 10:1-12, the story of Jesus’ sending of the seventy. Read the full story at www.brethren.org/news/2013/ac2013news/sending-of-the-seventy.html 15) Conference by the numbers, and other bits and pieces from Charlotte. For more details about the 2013 Annual Conference in Charlotte, N.C., as well as registration numbers, outcomes of the Blood Drive and Quilt Auction, offering amounts, and more, see the “Saturday in Charlotte,” “Sunday in Charlotte,” “Monday in Charlotte,” “Tuesday in Charlotte,” and “Wednesday in Charlotte” pages posted online and linked at www.brethren.org/news . Go to www.brethren.org/news/conferences/ac-2013 for daily photo albums and links to the webcasts of worship and business sessions, and the webcast of the concert by the La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren Chancel Choir. Purchase a Wrap-Up DVD and the Sermons DVD from Brethren Press for $29.95 and $24.95 respectively, plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712 or go towww.brethrenpress.com . A downloadable pdf print wrap up of the 2013 Annual Conference also is in the works and will be announced in an upcoming issue of Newsline. Contributors to the news coverage of Annual Conference include: photographers Glenn Riegel, Regina Holmes, Debbie Surin, Alysson Wittmeyer; writers Karen Garrett, Frank Ramirez, Frances Townsend; Conference Journal editor Eddie Edmonds; Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden; donor communications staff Mandy Garcia; website staff Amy Heckert and Don Knieriem; and editor Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services. Look for a Newsline report from the Fifth Brethren World Assembly on July 15. The next regularly scheduled issue of Newsline is planned for July 25.

FYI: Annual Conference Business Docket and Ballot

Church of the Brethren Annual Conference

Annual Conference business docket for 2013 Delegates to Annual Conference on June 29-July 3 in Charlotte, N.C., will consider several key documents for the Church of the Brethren, among nine items of business coming to the meeting. As at last year’s Conference, delegates will again be seated together at round tables. Unfinished business items include revisions to polity on ministerial leadership, and responses to queries on climate change and congregational ethics, among others. New business includes a resolution against drone warfare and a query on biblical authority, as well as recognition for the Church of the Brethren in Spain. For a Newsline condensed version of the business items go to http://www.brethren.org/news/2013/annual-conference-business-items-2013.html Find the full text of business documents, the ballot, and a video briefing for delegates at www.brethren.org/ac/2013-conference-business-1.html Annual Conference 2013 ballot Delegates, please click here and review the biographical information before you arrive at conference.   Moderator—ElectFrances S. Beam, Concord, North Carolina David Steele, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania Program And Arrangements CommitteeEvelyn M. Brubaker, Ephrata, Pennsylvania Shawn Flory Replogle, Mcpherson, Kansas  On Earth Peace BoardDavid William Fouts, Maysville, West Virginia Chris Riley, Luray, Virginia  Church Of The Brethren Benefit Trust BoardCynthia Elaine Allen, Olmsted Falls, Ohio Sara Huston Brenneman, Hershey, Pennsylvania  Bethany Theological Seminary Board—ClergyDava Cruise Hensley, Roanoke, Virginia Frank Ramirez, Everett, Pennsylvania  Bethany Theological Seminary Board—LaityDavid Minnich, Hillsborough, North Carolina Donna Shumate, Sparta, North Carolina  Mission And Ministry Board—Area 2Sarah Elizabeth Friedrich, Columbus, Ohio Dennis John Richard Webb, Aurora, Illinois  Mission And Ministry Board—Area 3Torin Eikler, Morgantown, West Virginia Jonathan Andrew Prater, Harrisonburg, Virginia  Pastoral Compensation And Benefits Advisory CommitteeNancy L. Bowman, Fishersville, Virginia Deborah Oskin, Columbus, Ohio  Annual Conference 2012 photo by Glenn Riegel.

Deacon Update, May 30, 2013

DEACON UPDATE

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Special Edition: Pre-Conference workshops

As we move toward Annual Conference, remember to register for the pre-conference workshops (Saturday, June 29), designed for deacons and other caregivers. To attend in person, register online (and pay by credit card), or print the paper form (PDF) and mail it in with your check. CEUs are available through the Brethren Academy.

Not going to Conference this year? We are also pleased to announce that these sessions will be offered via live webcast! Please note that the times listed below are eastern time. Registration is not required, but viewing the live sessions is limited to the first 95 online participants. There is no registration fee to view the live webcast; however, a donation to cover program and webcasting costs would be greatly appreciated.

CEUs will be available for those participating in the live sessions; instructions will be provided at the end of each session. CEUs are not offered for viewing the recorded sessions after the fact.

Listen and Play: Ministry with Children in Times of Stress

9:00am - 12:00pm

To a child, a disaster may not be limited to a flood or tornado, but may take a more personal form: the loss of a grandparent, parents divorcing, starting at a new school. Although children are playing and seem oblivious to the distress around them, they are deeply impacted and need a special kind of attention to help them process these experiences. Leaders from Children’s Disaster Services and the deacon ministry will show how, through play, children can gain an understanding of what is happening at a level they can understand. Participants will learn how play and a listening ear can help children process their experiences. We will share, too, about the possibilities for your deacon ministry in caring for the children and youth of your congregation in all aspects of their lives, not just in times of crisis.

Conflict Transformation

1:30 - 4:30pm

Many conflicts can be transformed simply by being present and encouraging active forbearance. In fact, some highly conflicted situations benefit more from a ministry of presence than from problem-solving or mediation—at least initially. As deacons, how can we cultivate mature Christian behavior—to help our sisters and brothers respond faithfully to conflicts that aren’t ready to be resolved? How do we allow space for venting without becoming a gossip-fest? Based on training provided to the Annual Conference Ministers of Reconciliation Team, this workshop will explore how to enter into high-anxiety, escalated conflict situations. Designed for deacons and others who already have a good understanding of conflict transformation, prior training or experience.

Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry
dkline@brethren.org
847-429-4306

Church of the Brethren | 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120

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Announcing Annual Conference Webcasts

Church of the Brethren                                    Annual Conference View this message as a webpage

Join Us in Charlotte . . . over the Web! Arrangements have been made for Annual Conference to be webcast again this year.  For those unable to make it to Charlotte in person, all Conference worship services and business sessions will be streamed live over the internet.  Recordings of these sessions will also be posted within minutes so that all Brethren may participate in Conference regardless of time or distance.  Simply go the Annual Conference News page at www.brethren.org/AC2013  and follow the webcast link to watch. Of special interest to many Brethren will be the Sunday morning worship service when noted theologian and author Philip Yancey will be preaching. (www.philipyancey.com) Congregations are invited to project the Annual Conference worship service in part or for all of their own Sunday morning worship service so that Brethren across the country might worship together. The streaming broadcast can be started at any time after 9:00am Eastern in order to accommodate any time zone or worship schedule. You can also pause or rewind the live stream at any point. This year upgraded internet connections will prevent drops of the streaming broadcast. New! This year we are asking congregations who have joined the worship to email annualconference@brethren.org at the end of the morning to share how many worshipers were in attendance.  That way we can celebrate how widely we have gathered!  Worship bulletins will be available for printing for your worship one week prior at www.brethren.org/ac.  Gathering and Announcements will begin at 9:00am, Worship begins around 9:20am. Detailed instructions for connecting your congregation to the Annual Conference webcasts will be available at www.brethren.org/ac. For more information or with questions about webcasting please contact annualconference@brethren.org or call 800-323-8039x365. Please forward this to someone on your Worship team! Church of the Brethren Annual Conference | 1451 Dundee Ave. | Elgin, IL 60120 Chris Douglas, Conference Director | cdouglas@brethren.org | 800-323-8039, ext. 364 or 847-429-4364 Jon Kobel, Conference Assistant | jkobel@brethren.org | 800-323-8039, ext. 365 or 847-429-4365 Debbie Noffsinger, Registration Coordinator | dnoffsinger@brethren.org | 800-323-8039, ext. 366 or 847-429-4366