Preachers are named for the 2010 Annual Conference.

Preachers have been named for the worship services at the 2010 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, to be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., on July 3-7, 2010.

Preaching for the opening worship service of the Conference, on Saturday evening July 3, will be Shawn Flory Replogle, Annual Conference moderator and pastor of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren. Marlys Hershberger, pastor of Hollidaysburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, will bring the message on Sunday morning. Speaking Monday evening will be Earle W. Fike Jr., former Conference moderator and retired pastor, seminary teacher, and General Board executive from Bridgewater, Va. Nancy Fitzgerald, pastor of Arlington (Va.) Church of the Brethren, speaks Tuesday evening. Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries, will bring the closing message on Wednesday morning, July 7.

In other news from Annual Conference, nominations of candidates for open positions on the 2010 ballot are requested.

Nominations are sought for the following offices: moderator-elect (one person, three-year term); Program and Arrangements Committee (one person, three-year term); Mission and Ministry Board (three persons, five-year term); On Earth Peace Board (one person, five-year term); Brethren Benefit Trust Board (one person, four-year term); Bethany Seminary Board of Trustees, laity (one person, five-year term); Bethany Seminary Board of Trustees, clergy (one person, five-year term); Committee on Interchurch Relations (one person, three-year term); Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, laity (one person, five-year term); World Council of Churches Representative (one person, to be appointed by Standing Committee); Denominational Visioning Committee (four people, to be appointed by Standing Committee).

Four qualified candidates are needed for each open position. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1.

Members of the church may nominate persons online at www.cobannualconference.org (click on "Election Forms" then "2010 Nomination Form"). Nominees should be contacted and give permission before forms are filled out. Each nominee will be e-mailed a link to the "2010 Nominee Information" form to complete online.

The Annual Conference office also has paper nomination forms available in English and Spanish. Contact the Annual Conference office at 800-323-8039 ext. 229.

Source: 11/4/2009 Newsline