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

Index	Theme	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Wrap Up

Jim Hardenbrook presented a report from the Annual Conference Council. Hardenbrook serves as chair of the council, as past moderator. - photo by Keith Hollenberg

The gavel is passed from 2006 moderator Ron Beachley to 2007 moderator Belita Mitchell, to close the business session. - photo by Keith Hollenberg

Moderator Ron Beachley and his wife, Linda, received a quilted wall hanging as a gesture of appreciation from the Association for the Arts in the Church of the Brethren. - photo by Keith Hollenberg

An interim report from the Intercultural Study Committee was given by committee members including Thomas Dowdy, pastor of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, Calif. - photo by Keith Hollenberg

REPORT FROM FINAL BUSINESS SESSION
Business opened with the interim report of the Intercultural Study Committee, which reviewed the work the committee has done, the tasks that have yet to be completed, and told the stories of some congregations and districts that are working to become intercultural. The committee received an extension of another year to complete its study.

The Annual Conference Council reported on its letter to Michigan District answering the concerns of the 2003 query, “Clarification of Confusion” on issues of sexuality and ministry. Council chair Jim Hardenbrook read the response to the delegate body. The letter was also distributed in the delegate packets as part of the Standing Committee report. The floor was not opened for discussion after the report, which was presented as an item of information.

The Program and Arrangements Committee gave its report. Conference director Lerry Fogle led the delegates in recognizing the committee and this year’s Conference volunteers. The report reviewed Conference budget and finances. The committee’s intention is to keep Conference fees the same through 2009, but if attendance continues to fall short the Conference budget will be challenged, he said. Fogle also reviewed new offerings at this Conference including intergenerational activities.

It was announced that the 2011 Conference will be held in Grand Rapids, Mich. The dates will be July 2-6, 2011.

Donna Forbes Steiner, process observer, gave a brief report. “You have faced a daunting task,” she said. She expressed compliments to the moderator, but also referred to problems and challenges in carrying out business this year.

Steiner added that although business was challenging here in Des Moines, “The greater challenge is to prepare to go on with what happens after Annual Conference.... Where do we go from here? If we want to be a vibrant church we need to affirm the diversity in our midst. How can we be community without including all and holding all in respect?”

The presentation of a wall hanging to moderator Ron Beachley was made by the Association of the Arts in the Church of the Brethren. Beachley commented that the hanging includes squares from his congregation, college, and from seminary friends.

Handing over the gavel to 2007 moderator Belita D. Mitchell, Beachley thanked the church for the prayers and support he has received. He also instructed Mitchell that the gavel brings respect, trust, and responsibility.

Mitchell closed the session, saying that she is excited about “what God will do in our midst” over the coming year. “Join me in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2007!” she said.

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.