General Board sets 2006 budget parameter, issues resolutions on Sudan and World Friendship Center in Hiroshima

Finances were at the top of the General Board agenda in its pre-Conference meeting in Peoria, Ill., on July 2. A 2006 budget parameter of $5,618,000 was set, following financial reports and projections. The board also received reports, passed a resolution on the 40th anniversary of the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan, and added a member to the staff Leadership Team.

In its reorganization meeting on July 4, the General Board passed a resolution on Sudan to the Annual Conference officers, for consideration by the 2005 Annual Conference, and named a new chair and executive committee members.

The financial report included information on long-range financial planning. Projections for 2006 are for a balanced budget of $5,618,000. In later years, however, projections are for expense over income based on a variety of factors including uncertainties in market fluctuations and medical insurance. The board also was presented with a first read-through of revisions of financial policy.

The board approved a new member of the staff Leadership Team: executive director of the Ministry Office. This moves the Ministry Office, along with district ministry and the General Board's portion of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, from the Congregational Life Ministries to report directly to the general secretary. Mary Jo Flory Steury, director of Ministry, will begin as executive director of Ministry effective July 17.

The 40th anniversary of the World Friendship Center was celebrated with a resolution commending the center "for its tireless efforts to work for peace, share stories about the personal suffering caused by nuclear weapons, and build friendships across borders." The resolution recalled the Center's partnership with Brethren Volunteer Service through volunteers who have served as hosts. "We honor the past and express hope for the future by reaffirming, with you, our commitment to creating a world free from both nuclear weapons and war," the resolution said.

The report of general secretary Stan Noffsinger highlighted ecumenical documents he has signed recently on behalf of the board and the church, especially an open letter on Iraq addressed to the American people from the National Council of Churches (NCC) governing board. Noffsinger was part of a "committee of reference" that worked on "A Call to Speak Out." The letter's release was timed to coincide with the fourth of July weekend, and was to be published in several major newspapers across the country. The NCC invites all concerned Christians and citizens to sign the letter via a website. As of June 30, about 630 religious leaders and more than 15,000 other people have endorsed the letter, the NCC said, adding that "religious leaders and persons of faith continue to e-mail their affirmations at a rate of several hundred a day."

Noffsinger called the letter "a pretty strong statement" against the war in Iraq. The document reads in part: "...We believe in the transcendent sovereignty and love of God for creation, and that the responsibility of human beings is thus to pursue justice and peace for all. We also believe that, as the biblical prophets of old, who in faithfulness to God spoke out to a people and a nation they loved, in humility before God we too are to speak to a land and people we love.... On the day we celebrate our freedom, we acknowledge that the freedom promised in the toppling of a dictator has been replaced by the humiliation of occupation and the violence of a civil war. The sacrifice of brave men and women has been used to serve policies that have diminished our nation's prestige and our capacity to be agents of justice in the world." See http://ga3.org/campaign/endorsement for more information.

In discussion of the letter, board members affirmed Brethren participation but expressed concern about its lack of scripture references for the peace witness, and suggested that an accompanying cover page list biblical background and Brethren background when this and other such documents are shared with staff and congregations.

Noffsinger also reported that he and Kathy Reid, executive director of the Association of Brethren Caregivers, plan to work together on the idea of creating a study committee on the issue of stem cell research.

The report on a recent trip to Sudan by Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook and Brethren Witness/Washington Office director Phil Jones prompted the board to write a resolution reaffirming the Church of the Brethren commitment to work in Sudan. On July 4, the board passed a resolution on Sudan to the Annual Conference officers for consideration by the 2005 Annual Conference. The short document "recognizes that God calls the Church of the Brethren to continue to minister to the people of Sudan," and recommits the church to peace-building efforts and continuation of Brethren work in southern Sudan.

Other reports were received on the Mission Alive '05 conference, the new Growing Faithful Disciples resource, and from mission staff Irv and Nancy Heishman, working in the Dominican Republic, and Greg and Karin Davidson Laszakovitz, working in Brazil. Stewardship of Property Committee chair Dale Roth gave an update of the group's work and current listening sessions. A report on staff work related to conscientious objection and preparations for the eventuality of a military draft was given by Jones and Brethren Volunteer Service director Dan McFadden, who are working with staff of On Earth Peace and ecumenical partners to create resources for conscientious objection and to plan for alternative service opportunities.

Noffsinger told the board of a new way Annual Conference agencies will report to district conferences, beginning this year. The five agencies will share a 15-20 minute time slot in most districts, beginning with a five-minute video on the vision and mission of the agencies, followed by a presentation by two of the agencies. Over a three-year period every agency will have the opportunity to report to all 23 district conferences.

Staff citations were given for Julie Hostetter and Jeff and Peggy Boshart. Citations also recognized outgoing General Board members Carol Kussart, J.D. Glick, Doug Price, and Donna Shumate, who has served as chair. Outgoing members were given plaques representing a donation of over $1,000 to the Emerging Global Mission Fund in their honor by continuing board members. The gift is seen as a model for others to recognize service with donations to the fund's New Birth New Life campaign.

In the board's reorganization, Glenn Mitchell was selected as chair. Others named to the Executive Committee are Jeff Neuman-Lee, vice chair, along with Jaime Diaz, Vickie Samland, David Sollenberger, and Angie Lehman Yoder.

Greetings were brought by Anastacia Bueno Beltre from the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic, and by Toma Ragnjiya of the Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), who is studying in the US. He affirmed the board's concern for Sudan and for peace in Iraq, expressing the EYN's concern for peace in the north of Nigeria.

The board closed its pre-Conference meeting with a dedication of the General Board exhibit.

Source: 7/07/2005 Newsline
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