Photo by Jesse Reid Jim Lehman (left), who has been a leader in Voices for an Open Spirit, and Craig Alan Myers, a leader in the Brethren Revival Fellowship, dialogue at an insight session.

Leading members of Brethren Revival Fellowship and Voices for an Open Spirit continue dialogue
A dialogue that began two years ago, continued for two hours at an insight session this evening. The initial dialogue begun in “Brethren Life and Thought” between James H. Lehman and Craig Alan Myers was continued in a standing room only forum with nearly 150 people present, under the title, “Bloodstream to Mainstream: Voices for an Open Spirit and Brethren Revival Fellowship.”

The two agreed at the opening that if the attendees came to see an argument or a conflict, because of the conference booklet description, they would be disappointed. The two men agreed on several points, including their love for the Church of the Brethren, the feeling that each of their positions has lost ground, and their belief that an ongoing dialogue within the church is necessary.

“To have a discussion and to say ‘I’m listening,’ that’s important,” said Myers. “We see that people are not all that much different. I don’t see people as enemies. What I try to do is express in clear terms where I stand.”

At the center of the discussion and admittedly much of the disagreement is about having convictions in their beliefs, and at their interpretations of the Bible. “I don’t think we are going to find common ground,” said Lehman. “What we have to find is reconciliation. We have a common experience of being human, of standing before God.”

The session also discussed the role of Annual Conference and how the question of sexual orientation has been the flashpoint for much of the disagreement within the church in recent history.

The session was standing room only, with at least 150 people in attendance.

--Eric Bishop

Photo by Jesse Reid Stephen Breck Reid, academic dean at Bethany Theological Seminary, speaks for the Brethren Journal Association luncheon.

Reid speaks on ‘Black Theology and the Hebrew Prophets’ for Journal Association
The Brethren Journal Association held its Annual Meeting at a luncheon today. The association publishes “Brethren Life and Thought” in cooperation with Bethany Theological Seminary. “Brethren Life and Thought” is a journal that seeks to engage the denomination in dialogue about both current and timeless issues. The meeting included a meal, guest speaker, and business meeting.

Stephen Breck Reid, academic dean of Bethany Seminary, spoke on the topic, “Black Theology and the Hebrew Prophets.” An Old Testament scholar, Reid reminded the gathering that we bring our life perspective to any biblical text we read. Focusing on Old Testament prophets, he said, “You are called to be a prophet in your baptism.” As Christians relate to others as “prophet,” they are to take the risk to invite others to risk with them. While speaking as prophet, Reid said, Christians must keep our message public, missional, and remain ourselves. His message was given as encouragement to those present as individuals and as an association.

The business meeting included various reports and the announcement that Carol Gardner will be retiring from her position as managing editor of the journal, as she moves to Illinois with her husband Richard Gardner. The meeting affirmed the call of Nancey Murphy and Matt Guynn to positions on the journal’s Advisory Board; both will serve terms expiring in 2010.

--Karen Garrett

Joys and challenges of an inclusive church: Gleanings from the United Church of Christ
A combined dinner meeting of Voices for an Open Spirit, Womaen’s Caucus, and the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests was the setting for a presentation from denominational staff from the United Church of Christ (UCC). The meeting was held as part of the hospitality center sponsored by the three groups at a hotel near the Convention Center.

The UCC, which is headquartered in Cleveland, has officially encouraged its congregations to declare themselves to be “open and affirming” since 1985. Currently about 650 of the 5,500 UCC congregations have done so, and others practice a welcoming spirit.

The speakers responded to questions from moderator Steve Clapp about how the UCC got to a place of passing the recommendation, and what the response of the congregations have been, both positive and negative. It was noted that both the UCC and the Church of the Brethren are congregationally structured denominations, which can be both a problem and a grace when it comes to a controversial issue. They reminded the meeting that it helps to respect one another in the love of Christ, and because of the bonds we share as Christians, even in the face of issues that divide.

--Sarah Leatherman Young

Love me tender: Romance Brethren style
It is not unusual to find someone doing their best Elvis Presley interpretation on the plaza of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum, but things got a little more interesting on Saturday when this particular impersonator, Brian Mackie of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., pulled out a rose and proposed to his girlfriend, Karen Miller of Mooreland, Ind.

When asked why he chose that time and place to propose, Mackie reported that it was because they had first met on the Saturday of last year’s Annual Conference, joining a long romantic history of people who have met their future spouses at the Brethren annual meeting.

Karen, by the way, said, “Yes!”

--Sarah Leatherman Young

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