UPDATE

August 8, 2009

District Conference Coming Soon:
September 25,26 are the days for our 2009 District Conference. Registrations were due to Anne Zimmerman (417-256-9703) by August 1, but if you have failed to get yours in, please call her and then fill in your form and mail it to her along with your registration fee. Room assignments need to be made soon and meal numbers given to Windermere. If you plan to attend only on Saturday, you still need to register in advance and send your $30 registration fee. Registration forms can be found on the "Conference" page of this website if you have misplaced yours.

List of Delegates is Being Compiled:
The District Coordinator needs to have the names of the delegates from each congregation. Remember each church can send 4 delegates: the pastor, board chair, and 2 at large delegates. Please send the names of your delegates to Carolyn ASAP. Phone, fax, email or mail can all serve you well in transferring that information.
Phone/Fax: 417-926-1064
Email: moark@centurytel.net
Post: Carolyn Schrock
District Coordinator
5098 Girlstown Rd.
Mountain Grove, MO 65711

Theme and Speakers Chosen for District Conference:
“Celebrate What’s Right with the World” is the theme that Moderator Roger Schrock has chosen for the 2009 MO/ARK District Conference. The Conference Theme Song will be God, who stretched (#414 in the blue hymnal). Our Moderator will address the Conference on Friday evening based on 2 Cor. 5:17-20.

Two guest speakers have also been engaged. Shawn Flory Replogle, Moderator for the Church of the Brethren, 2010, will be one guest speaker. Shawn is the pastor of the McPherson (KS) Church of the Brethren. Moderator Replogle will speak to the conference on Saturday morning, 8:30 using the text of 2 Cor. 5:17-18.

Kathy Reid, former Executive Director of the Association of Brethren Caregivers, will address the conference on Saturday afternoon with her thoughts based on 2 Cor. 5:18-20.

Congregations will be asked to bring 3 highlights of their church in the past year. Five minutes will be allowed each church. Some of these reports will be given Friday evening and some on Saturday afternoon.

Business to Include New Constitution and Bylaws:
One of the major pieces of business at this year’s conference will be the presentation of a new structure, constitution, and bylaws for the MO/ARK District. The Leadership Team has been working hard on this during the past year. The proposed constitution and bylaws have been rewritten to match the new structure proposal. Copies of the structure, constitution and bylaws will be sent to each congregation in August to provide plenty of time for delegates to discuss these proposed changes with their congregations.

Annual Conference Wrap Up Still Available:
The district copies of the 2009 Annual Conference Wrap and the five sermons given at the worship services are still available from the District Office for more churches to use. Please contact the District Coordinator if your congregation would like to have a turn at the DVDs.

Camp Closes this Saturday:
Hammond Mills Camp has been the place of great experiences this past week. The theme for the week has been “Kickin It Like Christ”, a study of the beatitudes. Stephanie Sappington, manager of the camp, reports they have had a very nice bunch of 30 great kids, with 20 wonderful staff making 50 for the kitchen crew to feed.

The program and activities have been under the direction of Barb Davis and Seth Moore. Thirty-five campers/staff enjoyed a great float trip on Wednesday. There will be a Talent Show for all parents and visitors on Friday evening. Returning campers will be able to give all the stories of the wonderful week when they return on Saturday.

Congregations are Encouraged to Celebrate Bethany Sunday:
Church of the Brethren congregations are encouraged to uplift the mission and ministry of Bethany Theological Seminary by celebrating Bethany Sunday on September 13, 2009. Several resources are available for use in worship services and other settings.

The September 13 Living Word Bulletin Series features a devotional by Elizabeth Keller, director of admissions at Bethany. Resource packets were recently mailed to all Church of the Brethren congregations that include a bulletin insert, worship resources written by Bethany students and alumni, and a brief update on Seminary activities. These resources also can be downloaded from the Bethany Web site at www.bethanyseminary.edu/publications-online/bethany-sunday-2009.

Congregations also can request a free DVD of “Vines, Grapes, and Wineskins: Bethany Seminary’s Mission and Vision,” a twenty-two-minute skit that was presented as the Seminary’s report at the 2009 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. The skit features Church of the Brethren and Bethany personalities from the past and present as they meet around the trolley stop, engaging in conversation about elements of Brethren history, exploring pertinent questions Brethren are facing, and pondering the meaning of another way of living. To request a DVD, contact Jenny Williams, coordinator of congregational relations, at 800-287-8822 ext. 1825, or willije1@bethanyseminary.edu no later than August 25, 2009.

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN Position Opening:
The Church of the Brethren seeks candidates for the position of Director of Identity and Relations.

The Director of Identity and Relations communicates the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren to those affiliated with the church and to those outside who seek information about the church. A major responsibility is oversight of the denominational website. This person is also responsible for annual reports, connections with district conferences, and meeting other communication needs.

Those interested in being considered for the position should have proven experience in communications and in website development. They should have a deep understanding of The Church of the Brethren, be an active member of the church, and bring experience with the denominational scope of the church’s life and work. Candidates should have superior skills in writing, editing, and public speaking, and the technical and relational skills to manage a complex website and collaborate with others.

This position, located in Elgin, Ill., is part of the Brethren Press communication team and reports to the publisher of Brethren Press.

Please visit the home page for Upcoming Events

Carolyn Schrock
District Coordinator