Shenandoah District conference meets for 37th year.

The 37th yearly conference of Shenandoah District was held at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren Nov. 5-6 on the theme, "A Caring Community," from Matthew 25:31-46. Moderator John Garber led the business session. Clerk Charlotte Campbell reported that the high point of attendance was 337 including 141 delegates, 15 alternate delegates, 58 pastors, 37 church board chairs, and 57 nondelegates. Delegates represented 84 of the district's 103 congregations and fellowships.

The conference opened with a worship service led by Garber and preacher Chris Bowman, pastor of Oakton Church of the Brethren in Vienna, Va. Special music was provided by a combined choir of churches in the Waynesboro, Va., area, directed by Tonya Garman. An offering of $1,204 was received, to be divided between the 2005-06 Discipleship Emphasis and Spiritual Retreats for Youth and Adults.

In business, delegates approved congregational status for Mountain View (McGaheyesville, Va.) Fellowship and for Knight's Chapel Fellowship, Barboursville, Va., and a name change from Trout Run Church of the Brethren to Sugar Grove Church of the Brethren, Wardensville, W.Va. Bruce Barlow, District Board Chair, introduced the 2005 district budget of $377,000, which was approved along with income and expense parameters requiring a five percent increase in congregational giving, representing a 1.4 percent increase over 2004. Delegates also approved the district board report and financial reviews showing a wide range of activities by various groups related to the board, and received a report on how undesignated gifts would be applied in 2005. Thirty minutes were used by the Standing Committee delegates, David Rittenhouse and Charles Simmons, as an "open mike" time to hear about what persons yearn for in the Church of the Brethren.

In other business, delegates recognized changes in church and district personnel: eight pastors beginning in new parishes; ministers recognized for "Milestones in Ministry"; and district staff and volunteers completing service including Bob McFadden who served six years as TRIM coordinator, Lisa Cook who served seven years as administrative and financial secretary, and Frances Adams who served 17 years as treasurer. New district staff and volunteers were introduced: administrative assistant Sandy Kinsey, treasurer Elby Wilson, and financial secretary and clerical assistant Pat Judd.

The election of officers for 2005 also was held. Paul Roth was elected as moderator elect. Glenn Bollinger was elected to the Standing Committee of Annual Conference. Paul Davis, Fred Bowman, Nancy Lantz, Charles Comer, Howard Lutz, Randy Cosner, Katie Jarvis Dovel, and Paul White were elected to the district board. Becky Glick was elected to the Program and Arrangements Committee and Debbie Bollinger and David Grimes to the Nominating and Personnel Committee. Ramona Pence was elected to the General Board.

Other events during the conference included 11 insight sessions, lunch meetings with representatives of denominational agencies, and a pre-conference Ministers' and Spouses' Dinner with 116 attending, where Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board, gave the meditation.

As business concluded, moderator Garber presented the gavel with words of challenge and encouragement to Pete Leddy, Jr., who dismissed the conference with a benediction and a challenge for the work ahead. The 2005 Shenandoah District conference will be held Nov. 4-5 at the Bridgewater church.

Source: 11/19/2004 Newsline