Theme for 2009 Annual Conference is announced.

A theme has been announced for the 2009 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, to be held on June 26-30 at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, Calif. The theme is taken from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21: "The old has gone! The new has come! All this is from God!"

An extended theme statement reads, in part, "We are God's new creation transformed through Christ. Released from the past, we find God's presence no longer guilt-provoking, frightening, and condemning; but dynamic, creative, and life-giving.... As we move past the celebration of our heritage and toward the culmination of our purpose, let us hear these words! The old has gone! The new has come! All this is from God!"

In other news related to the 2009 Conference, a special parking rate has been negotiated of $5 per day, rather than the previously announced $12 per day. Also, there are two corrections to the listing of denominational offices open for 2009: only one person will be elected to the Bethany Theological Seminary board, and the opening is for someone to represent the Brethren colleges; and a district executive will be elected to the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, not someone from the laity. "Please take these corrections under consideration as you discern nominees for these positions," the office requested. Nominations must be sent to the Annual Conference Office by Dec. 1.

Source: 9/10/2008 Newsline