UPDATE

July 1, 2010

Delegates on Their Way to Conference:
Delegates, pastors, and others from MO/ARK are traveling to Pittsburgh, PA to participate in the business of the denomination. Five congregations from our district are sending delegates: Broadwater, Cabool, Messiah, Peace Valley, and Warrensburg. Lucy Landis serves as our representative for Standing Committee.

There are several pre-conference meetings and activities, but the conference officially opens Saturday evening, July 3 with a worship service and will conclude at noon on July 7. The theme for the conference is “Taking Jesus Seriously: If you love me you will obey what I command." (John 14:15). Shawn Flory Replogle will serve as moderator. You will remember he and his family were with us for our District Conference last September. Please pray for all the delegates and others as they travel.

Annual Conference Sessions to be Webcast:
Can’t go to Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, but want to see what’s happening? To see an event streaming live on your computer, click on www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcasts. Then click on the Annual Conference link. You will also be able to watch a recording of many of these events after they have taken place.

Did You Know?
Annual Conference is scheduled to be held in St. Louis in 2012. This will be an opportunity for many more of us to attend since it will be close. It will also be an opportunity for folk from our district to be involved in leadership. So mark your calendar now to plan for an early July trip to St. Louis and be thinking how you might like to contribute to the leadership needed from our District.

We are invited for Fish:
Our sister congregation in the boot heel is calling us. Here is an invitation from Mike Stokes:

Farrenburg Church of the Brethren will be holding their annual Fish Fry on Saturday August 7th. Serving will begin at 5pm till ? We have decided to hold this event on Saturday to make it easier for our out of town family and friends to attend. We would like to see you all for an evening of good food and fellowship.

Secret Oath-Bound Societies Query...
Last year a query came to the Annual Conference in San Diego from the Southern Pennsylvania District. The delegates affirmed the denomination’s 1954 stance on this and appointed a committee to suggest ways to educate and inform people about the stance in their congregations. The committee has completed their work and the reply to their task can be accessed online at: www.cobannualconference.org/secret_oath_bound_societies.html. If you are unable to access that report and the resources regarding that stance, call the District Office at 417-925-1064 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

Are there persons in your congregation who have no idea about the COB’s position on secret oath-bound societies? You might want to use this subject as a study resource for your Sr. High, young adult, and/or adult classes for a special study.

Reminder for Ordained Pastors:
All congregations have been sent the forms to fill out for the 5-year ordination review of all ordained ministers - active or retired. Pastors should be sending those forms to the district office. The deadline has passed so please send ASAP. Thanks.

Enjoy this wonderful summer. Some of us have had tooooo much rain and some not enough. We take whatever the Lord provides and thank him for all the care for us in so many ways.

Carolyn Schrock, District Administrator, produces UPDATE in the District Office.