NEWS

• Annual Conference meets in Charleston, W.Va., shows commitment to difficult issues.
  
• Conference worship services focus on loving God and neighbor.
  
• A host of activities keep Conference-goers busy.
  
• General Board sets budget parameters, passes resolution on Iraq.
  
• Funds aid Sudanese, Hondurans, Church World Service, and provide flood relief.
  
• Brethren bits: Disaster relief, BVS, and much more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Anti-racism team will lead youth peace retreat.

Annual Conference meets in Charleston, W.Va., shows commitment to difficult issues.

Annual Conference showed persistence and a commitment to deal with difficult and divisive issues in its deliberations in Charleston, W.Va., July 3-7. Through days of meetings, moderator Chris Bowman, a pastor at Martinsburg (Pa.) Memorial Church of the Brethren, guided an engaged and lively delegate body through a maze of issues, motions, and amendments with intelligence and clarity. Ronald Beachley, executive minister for Western Pennsylvania District, was chosen as moderator-elect, to lead the 2006 Conference in Des Moines.

Total attendance of 4,038--including 920 congregational and district delegates--easily topped last year's gathering of 2,844 in Boise and came close to the Baltimore registration figure of 5,029 in 2001. It was announced that San Diego, Calif., will be the Conference site in 2009. Next year's Conference will take place in Peoria, Ill., July 2-6.

Extensive discussion and an extremely close vote on a substitute motion revealed deep division in the delegate body over the report on "Congregational Disagreements with Annual Conference Decisions." Similar discussion with regard to other business items--particularly the denominational name, doing church business, and multi-ethnic church and cross cultural ministries--gave a sense that the delegate body also was deeply divided over how open to diversity and differing opinions the church ought to be.

There were indications that Annual Conference leadership may be moving to invite more open conversations, in pre-Conference meetings of the Standing Committee of district delegates. The committee talked about hurts and brokenness in the denomination and sought ways to hear concerns that do not come through established channels.

The report from the committee on "Congregational Disagreements with Annual Conference Decisions" was adopted with an amendment deleting the committee's suggestion that in extreme cases of disagreement, district conferences not seat congregations. The Conference also adopted reports on "The Functions and Qualifications of the Local Church Moderator," and on "Denominational Name." That committee reported overwhelming support for the name Church of the Brethren but called for attention to processes for dealing with controversial issues in the denomination.

A study committee was elected to answer the queries on "Becoming a Multi-Ethnic Church" and "The Need for Cross Cultural Ministries," which had been joined together as one business item. The Conference turned down Standing Committee recommendations that the issues be referred to the districts and Congregational Life Teams, on the urging of representatives of a multi-ethnic group that gathered in ad hoc fashion the evening before the business item came to the floor. The action did include some of the other Standing Committee recommendations, that cross-cultural ministries become an increased priority in the denomination and that a progress report be made each year for five years with reassessment in 2010 by Annual Conference.

The Conference first elected six members of a seven-member, ethnically diverse study committee, which also will include an ex-officio representative of the American Baptist Churches, to answer the concerns of the two queries. When it was announced in the final business session on July 7 that no African-Americans were elected to the committee, delegates reopened the business agenda and overwhelmingly passed a motion that the study committee choose an eighth member from the African-American nominees on the original ballot. Conference officers also heard counsel that the representative of the American Baptist Churches be African-American. The elected study committee members are Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff, Ruben Deoleo, Nadine L. Monn, Neemita Pandya, Gilbert Romero, and Asha Solanky.

Another five-member study committee was elected to answer a query on "Doing Church Business," to report in 2005. Committee members are Joe Detrick, Matt Guynn, Verdena Lee, Dale Posthumus, and David Shetler.

The General Board's resolution on Iraq was adopted with hardly any discussion. The resolution called on members and congregations to be "a constant witness to Christ as a living peace church of today against all war and the violence of its nature." The resolution also called on the US administration and Congress to take responsibility for their involvement in the war.

In other business, a 3.1 percent cash salary increase for pastors was approved, the delegates received a "Ministries and Mission" report from the five Conference agencies, and two new fellowships were welcomed: Koinonia Fellowship in Charlottesville, Va., and Sunrise Church in Harrisonburg, Va.

In elections for denominational offices, Joan Lawrence Daggett was elected to the Annual Conference Council; Joanna Wave Willoughby to the Program and Arrangements Committee; James O. Eikenberry to the Committee on Interchurch Relations; Herman Kauffman to the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee; Diane Harden to the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) board; David B. Eller as trustee for Bethany Theological Seminary; John A. Braun to the Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) board; Michael Benner as at-large member of the General Board; and Robbie Miller to the On Earth Peace board.

The Conference also affirmed appointments to the boards of Conference agencies: for ABC, Eddie H. Edmonds, John Katonah, and John Wenger; for Bethany, Jerry A. Davis, John D. Miller Jr., and Charles Boyer, who was elected by the alumni; for the General Board, district appointees Ken Wenger, Mid-Atlantic, Dale Minnich, Western Plains, and Susan Kinsel Fitze, Southern Ohio; and for On Earth Peace, David Jehnsen and Bev Weaver.

For more detailed information about Annual Conference 2004 in Charleston, W.Va., see the Annual Conference pages at www.brethren.org.

Conference worship services focus on loving God and neighbor.

Daily worship services focused on the Annual Conference theme of "Loving God and Neighbor" and provided a strong foundation on which to build numerous days of worshipful work.

Moderator Chris Bowman's sermon on Saturday evening set the tone for the week. He encouraged Brethren to "turn our efforts and our energies back to the basics--loving God and loving neighbor, living lives for the glory of God and our neighbor's good. That is something worth our passion, something worth our protection, something worth our lives in the body of Christ."

On Sunday morning, Dena Pence Frantz, professor of Theological Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary, asked a question from scripture, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5b) She said, "The living God is known among us as we live our everyday lives in fullness and delight in God's presence and in active love for others."

Worship on Monday evening was well-seasoned with laughter, soulful music, drama, and heartfelt reflection on the question, "Who is my neighbor?" James Washington, pastor of Faith Center Fellowship, Whitehouse, Texas, spoke on "Living Lovingly Together." He underscored the importance of loving all of our neighbors, equal to all humanity, as opposed to only loving those with whom relationship is easy.

Worship pulled Brethren together on Tuesday evening around the love feast. Tim Button-Harrison, pastor of Ivester Church of the Brethren in Grundy Center, Iowa, posed the question of how Brethren are doing with loving one another beyond the local congregation, symbolized by sharing love feast together. He challenged his listeners, saying, "Like never before, today we are called to go extraordinary distances, to overcome great divides, to practice Jesus' command that we love one another."

In a fitting conclusion to Conference, the closing worship Wednesday morning sent participants out to continue the work of Jesus. Preacher Andrew Murray, Juniata College professor and Brethren musical legend, reminded listeners that "the Kingdom is not destination, it is a journey." Murray said, "There is no way to the Kingdom; the Kingdom is the way." He then asked listeners, as the denominational tag-line says, to "Continue the work of Jesus...peacefully, simply, together."

For many Conference-goers, the music in worship was a spiritual experience. From the "souped up" Bluegrass version of "Brethren We Have Met to Worship," to the heartfelt solos of Larry Brumfield, to the a capella group The Guys, music bathed the gathered body in a sense of God's presence.

A host of activities keep Conference-goers busy.

A fourth of July rally following the visit of President Bush to Charleston, an exhibit of boots related to the Iraq war, as well as the usual host of insight sessions, meal events, Bible and theological studies, support groups, and age-group activities, all kept Conference-goers busy in Charleston this year.

Marching behind a banner proclaiming, "Church of the Brethren: A Living Peace Church," hundreds of Conference attendees participated in a rally to protest the policies of President Bush, who spoke in Charleston earlier in the day on July 4.

The action also involved the West Virginia Patriots for Peace and the Sierra Club. The group assembled at the US Courthouse in Charleston, where a "wall" was stretched across the steps bearing the names of more than 800 US military personnel who have been killed in Iraq since the invasion.

Among the many protesters were 18-month-old Michael Bidgood Enders--with his dad, Greg--and Dale Brown, who has led and participated in many peace demonstrations over the decades. The action was coordinated by the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

An exhibit of combat boots bearing the names and home states of the US military killed in Iraq was set up outside the Charleston Civic Center on July 6-7, including an overnight candlelight vigil. The 10,000 plus Iraqi civilian casualties were also symbolically represented.

Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board, was visibly moved as he addressed a press conference at the display. Noting the action just taken by Annual Conference to adopt a General Board resolution on Iraq calling the church to accountability, he called upon the church to be ready to embrace all who will be victims of this war: Iraqis, returned military personnel, families of the lost and wounded.

The American Friends Service Committee traveling display received sponsorship by the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, On Earth Peace, Christian Peacemaker Teams, and West Virginia Patriots for Peace.

Enthusiasm for prayer and praise, study and discussion, also abounded in Charleston. An urban prayer walk blessed the streets of the city; the Brethren Revival Fellowship held its prayer and fasting session; Bible studies and theological studies were offered; and the many insight sessions gave opportunities to learn about current issues for the church and its members. Young adults were even escorted from the Civic Center at midnight one evening, having been discovered in the prayer room still praising God when the building was supposed to have been closed for the night.

Conference attendees also took advantage of service opportunities at the meeting. Some 2,500 Gift of the Heart kits and Clinic Boxes were brought to the Conference and collected by the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries program. Brethren also donated 164 pints of blood in the annual blood drive. Three quilts and three wall hangings raised $20,400 in the 30th annual quilt auction sponsored by Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren.

The annual Brethren Benefit Trust Fitness Challenge 5K saw a record turnout with around 160 participants, as opposed to the usual 90. For the first time, the largest group registered were women walkers age 40-59. First place runners were Courtland Howard and Deb Morris Crouse. First place walkers were Bev Anspaugh and Don Shankster.

General Board sets budget parameters, passes resolution on Iraq.

At its pre-Annual Conference meeting the General Board set budget parameters for 2005 that necessitate a budget reduction, and asked for a proposed resolution on Iraq to be rewritten and brought back later in the Conference week. The Iraq resolution was then passed by the board in a later meeting, and passed by the delegate body on Tuesday July 6. The board also affirmed a document describing a new Property Stewardship Committee and dedicated its Conference exhibit with prayer.

The board set a 2005 budget parameter of $5,426,000, which represents a $199,000 budget reduction for next year. "The Planning Team recommended a budget that included a much greater financial challenge," said Stan Noffsinger, general secretary, "but the board chose a more moderate plan to spread out the deficit over a number of years." The board also reviewed its policies on endowment, quasi-endowment, and investment income. "The board endorsed a philosophy that will help those resources provide support to the ongoing ministries of the General Board well into the future," Noffsinger said.

A resolution on Iraq brought by Brethren Witness/Washington Office director Phil Jones was sent back for revision with help from a small group of board members. The board set a special meeting on July 5 to consider the rewritten resolution, when it adopted the paper as a General Board resolution and passed it on to the Annual Conference delegates for their consideration.

A document describing a Stewardship of Property Committee was accepted by the board. The committee will offer recommendations regarding use of board properties in Elgin, Ill., and New Windsor, Md. The document calls for nominations of committee members to be submitted to the Office of the General Secretary by August 30. Membership of the committee will be announced at the board's October meeting. The committee is expected to report preliminary findings in Oct. 2005 and bring a recommendation in March 2006.

In addition, the board heard reports on an information systems audit, a cross cultural consultation in Puerto Rico, the new Gather 'Round curriculum, a polity manual update, and citations to staff and retiring board members.

At a reorganization meeting during the Conference, members of the General Board selected Donna Shumate as chair, Glenn Mitchell as vice chair, and David Sollenberger, Doug Price, J.D. Glick, and Jeff Neuman-Lee as executive committee members.

Funds aid Sudanese, Hondurans, Church World Service, and provide flood relief.

Grants from the General Board's Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) and Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) have been given to aid victims of civil war in Sudan, economic development in Honduras, and the Church World Service Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison Program, and to provide disaster relief following flooding in Washington State and the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

An EDF allocation of $60,000 supports a Church World Service (CWS) appeal for the violence-ravaged Darfur region of Western Sudan. The funds will assist in providing food, medicine, water and sanitation, agriculture materials, and counseling to approximately 500,000 persons over the next 18 months.

The sum of $22,000 from the EDF undergirds the work of the Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison Program of CWS, as it continues to facilitate faith-based responses to disasters.

The Washington state Faith-Based Disaster Recovery Network received an EDF grant of $7,500 for its work in the wake of extensive damage caused by flooding and storms in 15 counties. Church of the Brethren Oregon/Washington District Disaster Response and other volunteers have been helping with the rebuilding of homes. The funds will provide financial support for the recovery to continue.

In the Dominican Republic and Haiti, an EDF allocation of $4,000 supports a CWS appeal for flood relief. The funds will be used to ship medical supplies, Gift of the Heart Kits, and blankets from the Brethren Service Center to the island nations. Additional appeals for long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts are expected. Another EDF grant of $7,000 will go to the Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic, where church construction over an unforeseen sink hole has caused considerable damage and rendered a section of the building unsafe for use. The funds will assist in repair and reconstruction before additional damage occurs.

An allocation of $15,000 has been made from the GFCF to support economic development work of the Christian Commission for Development (CCD) in Honduras. The funds will support an effort to establish an agency for the promotion of micro-loan development countrywide, with the goal of raising the economic well-being of families primarily in subsistence areas.

Brethren bits: Disaster relief, BVS, and much more.

• Church of the Brethren disaster coordinators visited sites in central Pennsylvania after an F3 tornado tore apart homes and brought down trees and power lines the afternoon of July 14, according to Emergency Response staff Helen Stonesifer. Campbelltown, in Lebanon County, received the worst storm damage with 24 injuries reported and up to 50 houses damaged. A number of homes in South Londonderry Township, in the Country Squire Estates, were leveled and others were ripped open. Jean Myers, Disaster Child Care Region III coordinator, and Tom Cope, Atlantic Northeast District disaster coordinator, visited sites July 15 to offer child care and clean up assistance. The Emergency Response office reported that 60 Brethren volunteers from the surrounding area were out doing clean up today July 16, and are planning on returning daily for the next several days.
  
  
• The summer Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) orientation unit 260 will run from July 25 through Aug. 13, with 25 volunteers planning to attend. The orientation will be held at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The BVS office reminds anyone who might be interested that the unit will host a potluck at Union Bridge (Md.) Church of the Brethren on Saturday, July 31, beginning at 6 p.m., for any past BVS volunteers, Civilian Public Service workers, sea-going cowboys, and anyone who feels connected to BVS.
  
  
• At its Annual Conference luncheon, the Committee on Interchurch Relations gave an Ecumenical Citation to Kira Marriner, a member of Live Oak (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, for her work in peacemaking.
  
  
• The Association of Brethren Caregivers gave its first "Open Roof" award at Annual Conference. The award was presented to Lansing (Mich.) Church of the Brethren for its progress in accessibility to those with disabilities.
  
  
• The Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren (AACB) is beginning a project to record the history of AACB quilts and quilting, as part of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren in 2008. The group, which this year celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Annual Conference quilt auction, will collect photographs and interesting articles about Conference quilts made between 1973 and 2006. The group seeks facts about the quilts such as the purchaser(s), families or churches who have owned the quilts, places where the quilts have been displayed, and interesting anecdotes connected to the quilts. The group also would like to hear from quilters at Annual Conference who can give information about the number of years they have worked on quilts there, and from those who first learned to quilt at Annual Conference who may be willing to share their stories. "What has this experience of quilting at Annual Conference meant to you?" asked AACB coordinator Joyce Parker in a release about the project. "The AACB is grateful for the heritage of quilting at Annual Conference--creating and finishing pieced quilts." Send stories and information to AACB Coordinator Joyce Parker, 1293 Laurel Dr., W. Salem, OH 44387, 419-945-2327, e-mail djparker@bright.net. People who want to be involved in the history project are invited to contact Parker as well.
  
  
• John Waggoner, the mutual fund columnist for "USA Today" and a member of Dranesville Church of the Brethren, Herndon, Va., joined a panel discussion at an Annual Conference insight session on personal investing. The session was presented by Brethren Benefit Trust and attended by about 50 Conference-goers. Other panelists were Gail Habecker, investment professional with PMG Advisors; Don Fecher, director of the Brethren Pension Plan; and convener Will Thomas, BBT's director of Socially Responsible Investing. The discussion focused on "Now what should I do? Investment challenges with your personal finances." A videotape of the session, complete with an overview on equities by Waggoner, an overview on bond markets by Habecker, and a discussion of how investment assets should be allocated along with questions and answers, will be available on DVD or VHS in mid-September. Contact Lauryn Estes at BBT, 847-622-3374, to reserve a copy.
  
  
• Jonathan P. Emmons, who served as organist for Annual Conference this year, has received a partial scholarship to attend the Organ Academy International Summer School at Mount Royal College Conservatory in Calgary, Canada. The Bridgewater (Va.) College senior music major is one of 18 young organists from around the world to be accepted into the program, which will run from July 26 to Aug. 3. Under the direction of Simon Preston, former organist and choirmaster at Christ Church in Oxford, England, and London's Westminster Abbey, the program offers intensive, short-term organ instruction in both small group and individual sessions taught by a distinguished faculty. Emmons is the son of Timothy and Alice Emmons of Rocky Mount, Va.
  
  
• Blood donors at Annual Conference in Charleston learned about a new "Church of the Brethren Walk-In Campaign" to enlarge the ranks of those registered with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Wendy Jeansonne, of San Carlos, Calif., shared information about the program with Conference-goers. According to Jeansonne, bone marrow donations may help treat 70 different types of blood diseases and disorders, and those who register with the NMDP could be called for a donation as far into the future as 40 years. Some 30,000 people a year seek unrelated donors for a life-saving match, she said. Those interested in having tissue typing done may make an appointment at the nearest NMDP donor center and mention the Brethren campaign, which will cover fees. Donors must be healthy and between the ages of 18 and 60. The campaign ends on Aug. 31. For more information about the campaign, contact Joanne Malone, Virginia Blood Services, 800-989-4438 ext. 4162. For more information about the NMDP call 800-MARROW-2 or see www.marrow.org.
  
  
• The Ecumenical Stewardship Center has announced a 2004 Leadership Seminar in St. Pete Beach, Fla., on the theme "Faith and Money: Breaking the Silence," Nov. 30-Dec. 3. This annual event draws clergy, denominational staff, educators, organizational leaders, and entrepreneurs with a passion for faithful stewardship ministry. Presenters will be Nelson Kraybill, president of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary; Rosemary Williams, director of Women's Perspective; Steven Tomlinson, dramatist; and Greg Rickel, event chaplain. Cost is $395. An early bird savings of $40 off the registration cost is available through Oct. 4. A special group discount of $80 savings is offered for 20 or more registrants. For more information, see www.stewardshipresources.org, email stewardshipcenter@ameritech.net, or call 800-835-5671.
  
  
• Eleven youth from Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind., formed the nucleus of a June 18-28 learning tour to Honduras coordinated by the New Community Project, a Brethren-related nonprofit organization. The group, along with pastor Melissa Bennett, youth advisor Shawn Sollenberger, construction guide Jim Dodd of Midland, Va., and New Community Project director David Radcliff, refurbished a badly deteriorated health clinic in the community of San Juan Bosco. The group also visited with teachers, nurses, and a women's group; attended a soccer match in a neighboring village; and ended the trip with a visit to the Copan Ruins.
  
  
• A call for true inspirational stories of peacemaking has been issued by Linda Williams, a member of First Church of the Brethren, San Diego, Calif., and co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Peace Lover's Soul." Chicken Soup for the Soul Ent. Inc. is considering publishing a two-book set in order to "get twice the number of dynamite stories of peace, harmony, compassion, and forgiveness out to the general public," Williams said. Among those who already have submitted stories are Nobel Peace Prize laureates Desmond Tutu and Oscar Arias. Those interested in the project may submit stories, poems, songs, quotes, or cartoons; help select stories; and give input on cover art and title. Guidelines for submissions and sample stories are at http://chickensoup.peacestories.info/. Authors of stories chosen for inclusion in the book will receive $200 and have a 50 word bio published in the book. E-mail story submissions to Submissions@PeaceLoversSoul.com. To help select stories, contact Williams at Submissions@PeaceLoversSoul.com. To help select cover art and title, go to www.chickensoup.com, click on "Join Our Test Center" under "Share with Us," and submit name and e-mail address.
  
  
• Brethren interested in organizing a Brethren in Business association are invited to attend a meeting to be held in conjunction with the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) "Business as a Calling" 2004 convention in Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 4-7. The theme of the meeting will be "Risky Business." Cost to Brethren will be $295. Movement to launch the fledgling association has been stimulated by the former organization of Brethren in business, the Brethren Business Network, and is being given leadership by John Braun, a pastor and an associate with Good News Associates in Seattle, Wash. An informal meeting with those interested in the new association was held at Annual Conference. To contact Braun call 206-368-2654 or 206-920-5671. For more information about MEDA visit www.businessasacalling.org or call 800-665-7026, or to register online visit www.meda.org.

Top

Anti-racism team will lead youth peace retreat.

The weekend of Sept. 24-26, On Earth Peace will host a Senior High Youth Peace Retreat at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. "Red and Yellow, Black and White: Learning about Racism," will help youth develop skills to identify and dismantle the sin of racism in their lives. The weekend will include time for worship, discussions, and recreation. All high-school aged youth are invited to attend.

The Church of the Brethren Anti Racism Team members will provide leadership for the weekend. The team has been trained and called by the denomination for this ministry, and has previously led training events for the General Board and district conferences. "While it's critical for everyone to be a part of this kind of training, it is especially important for youth," said Torin Eikler, a member of the team. "They seem to see the struggles and pain that institutional racism causes within the church, in their schools, and in the world more easily, as they look at things with a fresh set of eyes." The team also will lead the On Earth Peace board, meeting in New Windsor at the same time, in an all-day training.

"This retreat is a great way for youth and their advisors to engage in the same questions that were raised this summer about our church fulfilling the scriptures, like in Galatians 3:28," said Kim Stuckey, coordinator of Peacemaker Formation. The retreat will begin 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, and end at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. Cost is $50 including housing and meals. To register or for information about scholarships contact Kim Stuckey at On Earth Peace, 410-635-8706 or e-mail kstuckey_oepa@brethren.org. More information and a complete schedule are available on the "Upcoming Events" page of the On Earth Peace website www.brethren.org/oepa/events.html.

Credits

Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board, on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month, with other editions as needed. Newsline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source. Members of the 2004 Annual Conference news team, a ministry of the General Board, contributed to this report: Kathleen Campanella, Jill Kline, Frank Ramirez, Frances Townsend, Sarah Leatherman Young, and Becky Ullom. Mary Kay Heatwole and Kim Stuckey also contributed.

Newsline is a free service sent only to those requesting a subscription. To receive it by e-mail, or to unsubscribe, write cobnews@aol.com or call 800-323-8039, ext. 260. Newsline is available at www.brethren.org and is archived with an index at www.wfn.org. Also see Photo Journal at www.brethren.org/pjournal/index.htm for photo coverage of events. For additional news and features, subscribe to the Church of the Brethren magazine "Messenger." Call 800-323-8039.