Cross-Cultural Consultation furthers Revelation 7:9 vision.

The Church of the Brethren's 10th consecutive Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration will be held April 24-27, 2008, at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. During this 300th anniversary year of the Church of the Brethren, the consultation will consider Brethren history and look ahead to envision where God is leading the church.

"Predominantly, we gather in Jesus' name as we further the Kingdom’s vision expressed in Revelation 7:9," said an announcement from Duane Grady, one of the Congregational Life Teams staff working with the steering committee that coordinates the event. Also working with the event is staff member Carol Yeazell.

The consultation will include an opportunity to see the offices of several Brethren agencies and to meet their staff. The group also will visit congregations in the greater Chicago area, where participants will be hosted for meals and worship.

There is no registration fee for the event. Freewill offerings will be collected during the worship service each evening to offset expenses incurred for meals, airport transportation, travel, and other expenses related to hosting this annual event. The General Board can provide travel assistance for one to two people per congregation.

Options for housing will include two hotels in the Elgin area, and private homes. Hosts will be asked to provide transportation each day from their homes to the Church of the Brethren General Offices, and to provide breakfasts.

Members of the Cross Cultural Ministries Team Steering Committee are Barbara Date, Springfield Church of the Brethren, Oregon/Washington District; Thomas Dowdy, Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren, Pacific Southwest District; Carla Gillespie, Bethany Seminary, South/Central Indiana District; Sonja Griffith, First Central Church of the Brethren, Kansas City, Western Plains District; Robert Jackson, Lower Miami Church of the Brethren, Southern Ohio District; Marisel Olivencia, Harrisburg (Pa.) First Church of the Brethren, Atlantic Northeast District; Gilbert Romero, Bella Vista Church of the Brethren, Pacific Southwest District; Dennis Webb, Naperville Church of the Brethren, Illinois/Wisconsin District.

Advance registration will assist with the planning for the conference. Registration and schedule information are available at www.brethren.org, follow the keywords to "Cross Cultural Ministries." Registration forms are available in Spanish and English and are due Feb. 1, 2008. Online registration will be available after Dec. 1. For more information contact Joy Willrett at the Congregational Life Ministries office, 800-323-8039 or jwillrett_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 9/12/2007 Newsline Extra