Atlantic Southeast District conference is held in Puerto Rico.

The 82nd annual District Conference of Atlantic Southeast District, moderated by Hector Perez Borges, was held on the island of Puerto Rico. The host church was Yahuecas, and the host pastor was Norma Medina.

Two workshops were held prior to the Conference: "Building Healing and Welcoming Congregations" led by Juan G. Feliciano, and "Unleashing the Power of Prayer: Becoming a Spiritual House Acceptable to God" led by Belita Mitchell, moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.

Opening worship was led by Heriberto Martinez, with youth from the Arecibo congregation offering a pantomime presentation and a concert following the worship service. A licensing service conducted by district executive Martha Beach was held for Jose Medina of Manati Church of the Brethren. Ordinations were also conducted at the service for Jaime Diaz of the Castaner congregation and Hector Perez Borges of the Vega Baja congregation. Diaz and Ana Figueroa interpreted for the service.

Youth were involved in the conference, with youth from the Arecibo congregation offering a pantomime presentation for the opening worship service and a concert following the service, youth from the island serving breakfast on Saturday morning.

In business sessions, delegates accepted the nomination of Wayne Sutton of Miami (Fla.) First Church of the Brethren as moderator elect. Ana Figueroa of St. Petersburg (Fla.) Church of the Brethren will serve as moderator for the 83rd District Conference to be held next year in St. Petersburg. Other persons installed for district leadership were James Graybill and Jerry Hartwell on the District Board, Ray Hileman and Isabel Martinez on the Church Development Council, Jose Medina on the Nominating and Personnel Committee, and Jerry Hartwell on the Discipleship and Reconciliation Committee.

Delegates also accepted written by-laws changes; accepted a recommendation to close the Brandon "Good Samaritan" church, "made and accepted with sadness," according to the report from Beach; accepted a recommendation of the District Board to establish a District Designated Fund for the purpose of helping to create financial stability for the District; and accepted for a one-year term a request from the District Board to revise the 1998 District Conference decision for the distribution of undesignated funds given to the district. A committee is to be formed and a recommendation is to be brought to next year's conference with regard to the undesignated funds. A bread and cup communion was served following the business session.

During a final worship service, Mitchell offered a closing challenge to the 70-some people in attendance, and Diaz and Borges were consecrated with a moving laying-on-of-hands service at the conclusion of her message. Guests from denominational agencies, along with all of the credentialed ministers in attendance and associate district executive Jorge Rivera and Beach participated in the service.

Source: 11/08/2006 Newsline