Middle Pennsylvania District Conference focuses on unity in Christ.

The Middle Pennsylvania District Conference was held Oct. 7-8 at Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa. Linda Banaszak of Clover Creek Church of the Brethren in Fredericksburg, Pa., served as moderator. Rodney Ritchey of Yellow Creek Church of the Brethren in Hopewell, Pa., designed and constructed the logo for the worship center using the theme, "Celebrating Our Unity in Christ." Fifty churches were represented with 167 delegates and 79 non-delegates.

Opening worship featured a district-wide choir conducted by Sarah Steele of Martinsburg (Pa.) Memorial Church of the Brethren, and the installation service for district minister David Steele, who began his work on March 1. He delivered the evening message, "A Fork in the Road." Connie Maclay, pastor at Beech Run Church of the Brethren in Mapleton Depot, Pa., delivered the Saturday morning message. Following lunch, the Youth Ministry Team led worship and members were consecrated.

An offering of "Pennies for Congregational Ministries" totaled $5,834.50, while $1,310.88 was collected for ministry education. Many laundry baskets filled with personal items were donated to benefit Huntingdon House, a facility for abused women and children. Break-out sessions included "Ask the District Minister," led by David Steele, and "Who's Calling?" with Christy Dowdy as leader.

In business sessions, James Ake of Stone Church of the Brethren was affirmed for another year as treasurer and a slate for district leadership was affirmed including Wayne Brockway, pastor of New Enterprise (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, as moderator-designate. He will assist moderator Barbara Rowe at the Oct. 20-21, 2006, district conference at Roaring Spring (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren.

Resources from the conference include a photo of the ministers present at the Friday evening banquet, which will be available on-line in the near future; and a Power Point presentation of church ministries shared Friday evening, created by Amy Crouse of Beech Run Church of the Brethren. For more about these resources contact the District Center at 814-643-0601.

Source: 11/30/2005 Newsline
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