More than 150 Brethren from across the US gathered at La Verne
(Calif.) Church of the Brethren Oct. 26-28 for the fifth annual
Progressive Brethren Conference. The weekend of worship, workshops,
music, study, and celebration was built around the theme “Holy Work:
Becoming a Beloved Community.”
A colorful banner hung from the church’s bell tower as conferees
registered in the courtyard Friday afternoon, beneath cobalt skies and
in shirt sleeve weather brought on by warm Santa Ana winds blowing
westward from the desert. The event got off to a rousing start with
“Annual Conference: The Musical,” which featured show tunes fitted with
new lyrics--some taken verbatim from Conference floor dialogue.
Workshops the next day led by Abigail Fuller and Katy Brown Gray of
the faculty at Manchester University, provided an overview of recent
progressive and conservative dynamics in the United States--both in
society and in the church. The workshops offered data showing a gradual
shift toward openness and acceptance in the culture and the church,
although the church tended to drag its feet behind the culture, they
pointed out.
This was the first Progressive Brethren Conference to take place west
of the Mississippi, and the first since the newly formed Open Table
Cooperative assumed a leadership role along with Womaen’s Caucus and BMC
(Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests). In previous years,
Voices for an Open Spirit had been instrumental in coordinating the
conferences. VOS announced at Annual Conference this summer that it was
discontinuing operation after 10 years and transferred the reins of
leadership to others in the progressive movement.
“There have been times when these conferences have been places for
lamenting, for wondering, ‘What are we doing to do now?’” said Daisy
Schmidt, chair of Womaen’s Caucus. “This year, it feels like we’re
moving forward.”
Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and author of the
best seller book “Tattoos on the Heart,” told conferees at Sunday
worship that reconciliation and genuine connection--“becoming a beloved
community,” referring to the conference theme--can and does happen.
“There is reason to hope,” he said. “I’ve seen former gang bangers work
side-by-side. And when you work with someone, you get to know them. And
when you get to know someone, you can’t be enemies.”
-- Randy Miller is editor of the Church of the Brethren “Messenger” magazine.
Source: 10/31/2012 Newsline
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