Photo by Keith Hollenberg Worshipers pray together during the Monday evening service.

Photo by Glenn Riegel Worship included a call to discipleship to Jesus Christ who breaks down barriers between all peoples; worshipers wave bandannas as a sign of commitment to the call.

Photo by Regina Roberts Bethany Seminary student Carla Gillespie bears the light of Christ into worship.

Photo by Regina Roberts The message is given by Duane Grady, a staff member of the Congregational Life Teams of the General Board.

Building Well Relationships
Galatians 3:26-28, John 4:7-26
Preacher: Duane Grady

Monday evening worship calls the church to cross cultural barriers
Monday's worship was a lively and culturally diverse one, which called the Conference into action. Duane Grady preached, and Brandon Grady served as worship leader (noting that he was a brother in Christ with the evening's preacher, but otherwise no relation). Duane Grady is one of the Congregational Life Team staff for the General Board, and lives in Anderson, Ind.

The service featured drama, and a gamut of experiences, from loud praise to quiet acapella singing. Focused on the theme of "Building Well Relationships," three scriptures were examined: Galatians 3:26-28, Revelation 7:9, and John 4:1-26.

Preacher Duane Grady recalled the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, noting that Jesus had crossed barriers of location, isolation, gender, race, tribe, lifestyle, criticism from his peers, limited vision, and pain to reach out to her and build relationship.

He encouraged the Brethren to work hard like Jesus did to cross over barriers, so that the church can become a reflection of the Kingdom of God in which every type of people worships God together. He said that building relationships with people different than ourselves is an appropriate response to God's love. Recalling the case of Samuel Weir and Annual Conference, he said that it's time that we, "No longer be patient with prejudice."

Duane Grady also recalled the old history of the "Chataqua Salute," in which white handkerchiefs were waved as a kind of visual commissioning of those going off to the mission field. As Conferencegoers entered the auditorium, each was given a bandana in a bright color. Grady explained he was asking us to stand and pledge ourselves to a different kind of mission, one in which we work to fulfill the vision of Revelation 7:9 of all peoples worshipping together.

It was a very dramatic close to the service as Brethren all over the auditorium stood up to wave their bandanas in a sea of color, in response to his call.

--Sarah Leatherman Young

Photo by Regina Roberts Special music is by Best Friends, a new Brethren group dedicated to sharing music in the African-American tradition.

Photo by Regina Roberts Bandannas wave across the congregation in a celebration of Christ's welcome to all.

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