Virlina District Conference meets on theme, 'You Matter to God.'

The United Methodist Temple in Beckley, W.Va., was the setting for the 34th Virlina District Conference on Nov. 11-12. "You Matter to God" (Romans 12:4-5) was the theme. Total registration was 447 people including 217 delegates and 230 non-delegates. The worship, fellowship, and discernment of the district was led by moderator Russell R. Payne Jr., pastor of Coulson Church of the Brethren near Hillsville, Va.

The last district-wide conference held in West Virginia was in March 1940 at the Pleasant View Church. The Virlina District encompasses 92 congregations and 11,128 members within Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

Ronald D. Beachley, moderator of the 2006 Annual Conference, was keynote speaker for the opening worship service. Greetings and welcoming remarks were brought by Dan Johnson, pastor of the United Methodist Temple. Keynote speaker for Saturday evening worship was Earl F. Stovall, pastor of Hopewell (Va.) Church of the Brethren. Worship services were highlighted by a choir led by Harvey Leddy of Christiansburg (Va.) Church of the Brethren. Offerings of $3,581.60 were received for the expenses of the District Conference.

New business included approval of an amendment to the Virlina District Constitution and Bylaws concerning a reduction in the number of area divisions in the district. A resolution expressing concern over the use of mercury-based compounds as preservatives in commonly used childhood and other vaccines was returned to the District Board. A District Board budget of $285,150.12 was approved for 2006. Delegates also heard that the Camp Bethel budget for 2006 will be $473,940. A resolution was approved naming Owen G. Stultz, Virlina District executive from 1969-92, as the District Executive Emeritus. Delegates also received a variety of reports.

The conference learned that 22 congregations and fellowships have been involved in the pastoral placement process during the year ending Sept. 30. New pastors were named and those present were introduced.

Business also included the calling of 20 leaders including W. Gregory Broyles of Roanoke, Oak Grove Church of the Brethren as moderator-elect. Others called to leadership are Frances S. Beam to a second term on the Standing Committee of Annual Conference; John W. "Jack" Lowe Jr. to the district Program and Arrangements Committee; Sandy Wade, Evelyn Janney, Karen Cassell, Roy L. Forbes, and Carol Hinton to the Nominating and Personnel Committee; Jerry W. Naff, William M. Pugh, Arlen Doss, Doris H. Jones, Sam Reid, David W. Miller, Kathy Otey, J. Hebron Quesenberry, Tony Robertson, and Ronald Sink to the District Board; and Marilyn Lerch and R. Wayne Pennington to the Outdoor Ministries Committee.

The District Board reported that Cathy S. Huffman will serve as chairperson for 2005-06. Other members of the Executive Committee are Jerry Wayne Naff as vice-chairperson, Thomas S. Powers as Commission on Ministry chairperson, Gary Basham as Commission of Stewards chairperson, Jim Worline as Commission on Nurture chairperson, Jeffery A. Wray as Commission on Witness chairperson, E. Patrick Starkey as Outdoor Ministries Committee chairperson, and Horace D. Light Jr. as Church Extension Committee chairperson.

George Mendenhall and V. Enos Griffith were honored for 50 years of ministerial service. Approximately 70 people attended a Ministers and Spouses Banquet.

The 35th Virlina District Conference will be held in Franklin County, Va., on Nov. 10-11, 2006. Shirley B. Jamison, a member of Monte Vista Church of the Brethren in Callaway, Va., and a practicing attorney in Boones Mill, Va., will serve as moderator.

Source: 11/30/2005 Newsline
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