220th Annual Conference Des Moines, Iowa July 1-5, 2006

Index	Theme	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Wrap Up

A group of Brethren served a meal at a shelter for homeless youth in Des Moines. - photo by Clara Glover

Oil lamps symbolized the light of Christ at the Congregational Life Ministries dinner. - photo by Keith Hollenberg

Sam Cassel brought the message at the Brethren Revival Fellowship insight session on how the church can become more disciplined. - photo by Jesse Reid

The Brubaker Blossoms, a children's singing group, performed at the Brethren Revival Fellowship luncheon. - photo by Jesse Reid

The Association of Brethren Caregivers and On Earth Peace co-sponsored an insight session on responding to domestic violence as a living peace church. - photo by Jesse Reid

"THE LOCAL ANGLE”: SINGLES GROUP SERVES AT YOUTH SHELTER
Monday afternoon several people went to Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren in Des Moines to prepare a meal for the Freedom for Youth Ministries shelter on 2nd Ave. Eleven people went to share dinner with the young men and women who use the shelter.

Teens walk the streets of Des Moines struggling to survive and numb the pain of their past. Through the effort of Freedom for Youth Ministries, the lost youth hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and begin to understand that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.

Manager Joyce Jones told us the shelter aims to provide a safe place as a daytime drop in center, with a focus on creating Christian relationships. Along with regular Bible study, they have a game room and other activities. Freedom for Youth Ministries also provides transitional housing for young people on their way to a more stable lifestyle. Jones added, “We never could have gotten going without the help of Panora Church of the Brethren.”

This shelter openly preaches the gospel and accepts no federal funds. It is supported by various churches in the area and has volunteers from many denominations.

One of the young women told us, “Here God has showed me a way to be a better person.”

--Clara Glover is pastor of Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren in Des Moines

BRF INSIGHT SESSION: “HOW THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN CAN BECOME A MORE DISCIPLINED CHURCH”
Sam Cassel brought the message at the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF) Insight Session on Monday evening. Brother Cassel was given the topic, “How the Church of the Brethren Can Become a More Disciplined Church.”

He answered the question with a seven point outline: 1) by understanding the law of sowing and reaping, 2) realize what happens when discipline is lacking, 3) understand the church’s place in the discipline cycle, 4) remember how our forefathers saw the need for discipline, 5) realize that gradually watered down discipline means no rules are left, 6) know that discipline has fallen out of favor in most of Christendom, and 7) think about how the Church of the Brethren can become a more disciplined church.

There were a number of BRF sponsored events at this Conference. Sunday at noon BRF facilitated the Prayer and Fasting session. Monday noon Fred and Janet Beam spoke and the Brubaker Blossoms, a children’s trio, sang at the BRF luncheon. The final BRF activity will be the dinner meeting Tuesday evening, with Charles Ilyes bringing the message.

--Karen Garrett is a student at Bethany Theological Seminary and a school teacher

SESSION DISCUSSES PEACE CHURCH RESPONSES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On Earth Peace, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, and Womaen’s Caucus collaborated to present an insight session entitled “Domestic Violence--Spiritual and Holistic Responses as a Living Peace Church.”

Panelists were Barb Saylor of On Earth Peace; Kathy Reid, director of ABC; Brenda Petry, who formerly worked at a domestic violence center in Minneapolis; and Carla Kilgore, Womaen’s Caucus Convener and social worker.

The session reviewed the history of the domestic violence movement, as well as the church’s response. In a survey about the church’s response to issues of violence given to last year’s Annual Conference delegates, there was a significant voice asking for more response to domestic violence. Panelists shared their experiences with domestic violence and the church and the related work or perspective of the agency each represented.

Panelists also discussed the barriers some have to discussing domestic violence in church and how a history of abuse can affect a survivor’s faith and relationship to the church. Also discussed were ways the church can make itself a safe and supportive space for families struggling with issues of abuse. The panel recommended that churches and pastors become educated on these issues and familiarize themselves with the resources in their community for families affected. The panel agreed that the church must recognize that these issues affect its members and continue to discuss issues of domestic violence.

More information as well as worship resources are available at www.brethrencaregivers.org and at www.tubmanfamilyalliance.org.

---Jill Kline is a member of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE MINISTRIES DINNER FOCUSES ON RURAL CHURCHES
Sandra A. LaBlanc, director of Small Town and Rural Ministry for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was the presenter at the Congregational Life Ministries Dinner held at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel. Her message was that rural churches are the backbone of many denominations.

She shared six things that help rural churches grow: prayer, worship, discipleship, evangelism, caring ministry, and leadership. Even if a church is small and resources seem limited, La Blanc encouraged members to recognize the abundance that God has given us.

The General Board’s Congregational Life Team members work with congregations in the areas of worship planning, spiritual formation, evangelism, stewardship education, small membership churches, and urban and ethnic ministries.

Note: Dr. Gary Farley was listed in the Annual Conference booklet as a speaker along with Sandra LaBlanc, however, he was unable to attend.

--Kathleen Campanella is director of Public Relations and Hospitality at the Brethren Service Center

BRETHREN LIFE AND THOUGHT ANNOUNCES NEW EDITOR
Brethren Life and Thought, the Church of the Brethren academic journal, held its annual meeting at a luncheon today. This year’s items of business included the approval of a new editor. Julie Garber of North Manchester, Ind., has been called to the position.

In other business, the group approved a budget for 2007-08, and affirmed new Publishing Advisory Board members.

Garber stated that one of her goals will be to make Brethren Life and Thought a resource useful for pastors, church leaders, and interested parishioners, while maintaining academic standards of research.

In addition to the meal and business meeting, the luncheon included a conversation between Graydon Snyder and Virginia Wiles titled “He Said/She Said: Making Sense of Paul.”

--Karen Garrett is a student at Bethany Theological Seminary, and a school teacher

Members of the 2006 Annual Conference news team, a ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board, contributed to the Annual Conference web pages: Jake Blouch, Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Kathleen Campanella, Eddie Edmonds, Karen Garrett, Clara Glover, Amy Heckert, Keith Hollenberg, Jill Kline, Sarah Kovacs, Frank Ramirez, Jesse Reid, Regina Roberts, Frances Townsend, and Becky Ullom.