Annual Conference to address a full business agenda.

The 220th recorded Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren will be held July 1-5 in Des Moines, Iowa. Delegates will be kept busy by a full business agenda. Moderator Ronald D. Beachley, executive minister for Western Pennsylvania District, will preside over the business sessions.

The Conference theme, “Together: Exercise Daily in God,” from 1 Timothy 4:6-8, will be complemented by half-hour sessions during business on July 3 and 4 to engage in the denomination-wide study emphasis, “Together: Conversations on Being the Church.”

Other major items of business are:

“Call to Stewardship Education,” from Mid-Atlantic District, requesting “additional guidance, resources, and instruction for deepening our understanding of the stewardship of time, talent, and financial resources.”

Revisions to the Articles of Organization of Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT).

“Resolution: Divestment from Companies Selling Products Used as Weapons in Israel and Palestine,” from Fremont (Calif.) Fellowship in Christ and Pacific Southwest District, asking BBT to “divest itself from ownership of Caterpillar Corporation and any other company that sells products that are used routinely as weapons of destruction or death in Israel and Palestine.” The query cites scripture and Brethren tradition in asking for exploration of reinvesting funds in companies “doing business that enhances the quality of life for both Israelis and Palestinians,” and consideration of divestment because, “Caterpillar Corporation...sells to Israel bulldozers that are used to destroy Palestinian homes, farms, ancient olive groves, roads, and water and sewer pipes and that have killed several persons.... These Caterpillar D9 bulldozers are made according to military specifications and are sold to Israel under the US Foreign Military Sales Program.”

“A Call to Reduce Global Poverty and Hunger,” from the Church of the Brethren General Board, calling the denomination to help reduce global poverty and hunger by recommitting to the teachings of Jesus, revisiting the 2000 Annual Conference statement on “Caring for the Poor,” and pursuing the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.

“Commitment of Accessibility and Inclusion Resolution,” from the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) and its Disabilities Ministries, urging “each congregation, agency, institution, facility, and gathering of the Church of the Brethren to make a new commitment to enable all people to participate fully in all ministries....” The query asks the church to examine barriers that prevent people with disabilities from full participation and to commit that “all existing and future denominational office sites be modified or designed to follow the guidelines” of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Doing Church Business,” a report of a study committee elected in 2004, including numerous recommendations focused on preparation and training for Conference leaders and delegates and format of the Conference. “There is a clear need for significant change in order to enhance and model a discerning Christian community and the reign of God,” it says. Specific recommendations include training for delegates and moderators; congregational discernment about Conference business; “process counselors” and a Process Committee; small-group discernment during Conference; consideration of summaries of major dissenting opinions; holding Love Feast at Conference; and expanding the length of Conference. Committee members are Dave Shetler, Joe Detrick, Matt Guynn, Verdena Lee, and Dale Posthumus.

Also on the agenda: interim reports from the Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee, Intercultural Study Committee, 300th Anniversary Committee, and Review and Evaluation Study Committee; elections; and reports from denominational agencies and committees. (For full business documents go to www.brethren.org/ac/desmoines/2006business.html.)

At its pre-Conference meeting on July 1, the General Board has a full agenda as well, including a first report from a Brethren Service Center Ministry Options Exploration Committee regarding the center in New Windsor, Md.; a “Contingency Plan for a Military Draft”; revisions to its vision, mission, and core values statements; long-range planning; and finances.

For more go to www.brethren.org/ac. Daily news reports and photographs will be posted from the Conference in Des Moines from July 1-5, on the news pages at www.brethren.org/ac.

Source: 06/23/2006 Newsline
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