Pacific Southwest District passes divestment resolution.

Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require of you? Do justice, love tenderly, walk humbly with your God," guided business, worship, and fellowship at the 2005 conference of Pacific Southwest District on Oct. 7-9 in Modesto, Calif.

The conference passed a resolution on "Divestment from Companies Selling Products Used as Weapons in Israel and Palestine," according to a report by Janelle Flory. Other business included changes to the district by-laws regarding the Nominating Committee, unveiling of a new church grant process, a 2006 Budget with $400,000 earmarked to support new and growing ministries in congregations, elections, and reports.

The conference delegates passed the divestment resolution from the Fellowship in Christ, Fremont, Calif., on to the Annual Conference Standing Committee. The resolution calls for Brethren agencies to examine the divestment issue.

Four worship services shaped the spirit of the conference, Flory wrote. Moderator R. Jan Thompson, of Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren in Scottsdale, Ariz., opened with the question, Are we there yet? "I have the feeling that the people (of our district) are becoming excited about sharing the good news of the Gospel," he said. "That includes sharing justice in the local community as well as in the global community."

Moderator-elect Joe Schechter of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, introduced the district theme for 2006, "Centered in Jesus," in a following service. The theme is from Acts 17:28, "In Him we live and move and have our being." Junior and senior high youth led a multi-media worship service incorporating elements of drama, dance, chanting, the song "Where is the Love?" from rap artists the Black-Eyed Peas, and a photo and video montage. In place of a sermon, speakers shared briefly about the ministries of their congregations. "It was an extremely moving service," said District Board chair Paul Lovelace, of Pomona (Calif.) Fellowship.

The meeting concluded Sunday morning with a message from Stephen Breck Reid, academic dean at Bethany Theological Seminary, on "Mission--Here--Now." He wove together scripture references from Jeremiah 29, the Great Commission, and the theme from Micah to emphasize the importance of establishing ministries that build the kingdom of God here and now. He also led a Friday workshop on "When Micah Meets Matthew." Worship experiences included the commissioning of Schechter and moderator-elect Mary Kay Ogden, also of La Verne.

Source: 11/18/2005 Newsline
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