Northern Ohio District meets on theme of freedom.

The 2010 Northern Ohio District Conference took place July 30-Aug. 1 at Ashland (Ohio) University. Moderator Kris Hawk, pastor of visitation at Akron, Springfield Church of the Brethren, chose the theme "Free from Fear, Free to Love," from 1 John 4:16b-21.

Delegates heard the theme described in music and drama presented by Junior and Senior Performing Art Camps; in worship and preaching by Annual Conference moderator Robert Alley, interim pastor Tom Michaels of Hartville Church of the Brethren, and Hawk; and in business sessions led by Hawk and the conference officers. Conference guests included Alley, Brethren Benefit Trust representative Loyce Swartz Borgmann, and Bethany Theological Seminary representative Fred Bernhard.

Delegates passed a modestly-increased district budget for 2011, approved trustees for Manchester College, received and approved reports from district and denominational representatives, and elected new board members and district officers.

During her Sunday morning closing message, Hawk talked about the struggle to understand the depth of God’s love: "The problem is that we are not secure ourselves in the love of God. We should never base our love on something we can lose. When we love other people, we become more secure of who we are in Christ. Through us, God can powerfully love other people."

Following the closing service, Sherry Reese Vaught, ordained minister at the Maple Grove congregation, and Tom Zuercher, pastor of the Ashland Dickey congregation, were consecrated as moderator and moderator-elect of the 2011 district conference.

-- John Ballinger is district executive minister for Northern Ohio District.

Source: 8/12/2010 Newsline