Annual Conference announces 2012 site, schedule for 2008.

The Program and Arrangements Committee of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference met recently at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. A number of significant decisions were made regarding future conferences.

The site of Annual Conference 2012 has been chosen. The event will be held in St. Louis, Mo., July 7-11, 2012.

A number of unique events are planned for next year’s Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., July 12-16, 2008. The Conference will commemorate the 300th anniversary celebration of the Brethren movement by holding a simultaneous annual meeting with the Brethren Church at the same location, the Greater Richmond Convention Center and the Richmond Coliseum. Many joint activities are planned, in addition to other Church of the Brethren-only activities.

Notable differences from the usual Conference schedule are the time of opening worship at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, followed by a concert of the 200-voice National Christian Choir at 8 p.m.; joint activities with the Brethren Church on Sunday, July 13, starting with worship at 10 a.m., followed by celebratory activities in the afternoon and an evening service focusing on missions; Church of the Brethren worship services on Monday and Tuesday, July 14-15, at 8:30 a.m. rather than the usual evening time slot; participation by Christian musician and composer Ken Medema in the Monday morning worship service, and a Medema concert on Monday evening at 8 p.m.; a drama on the life and death of Church of the Brethren volunteer Ted Studebaker during the Vietnam War, on Tuesday at 8 p.m.; and a closing joint worship service with the Brethren Church on Wednesday morning, July 16.

The general schedule for next year’s Conference will be posted soon at www.brethren.org/ac/richmond/schedule.html. Registration fees for 2008 have not increased over 2007, the Annual Conference office announced. Fees for all aspects of Annual Conference next year can be found at www.brethren.org/ac/richmond/feeschedule.html.

For more information go to www.brethren.org/ac. Questions may be directed to executive director Lerry Fogle, 800-688-5186.

Source: 08/29/2007 Newsline