300th Anniversary update: Plans are announced for Conference 2008.
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in 2008 will feature special events celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Brethren, as announced recently by the 300th Anniversary Committee. The Conference will be held in Richmond, Va., on July 12-16.
The opening worship service will feature a sermon by the 2008
moderator James Beckwith, followed by a concert by the National Christian Choir. Based in the Washington, D.C., area, the choir includes members from all over the midatlantic region representing a variety of denominations. About 15 of the 200 choir members are members of the Church of the Brethren.
Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday are planned as days of formal joint fellowship with the Brethren Church, a sister denomination to the Church of the Brethren. The two denominations will be together in the conference facilities as well on Monday and Tuesday, when there will be more time for informal fellowship by Conferencegoers.
A team of speakers is planning the Sunday morning worship including Chris Bowman, pastor of Oakton Church of the Brethren near Vienna, Va.; Shanti Edwin, pastor of Brush Valley Brethren Church at Adrian, Pa.; and Arden Gilmer, senior pastor at Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland, Ohio.
During "An Experience of Brethren Faith Journeys" from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, participants will choose from 27 different presentations including presentations on history and music, intercultural forums, art events, Bible studies, a panel discussion with representatives from the sister denominations, and sharing from Youth Heritage Travel Team members. On Sunday evening the Conference will gather international Brethren from around the world to share what God has been
doing in ministry outside the US.
The Monday and Tuesday worship services will take place in the
mornings. Monday evening will feature a concert by Christian musician Ken Medema, who has performed at several youth conferences of the Church of the Brethren. Tuesday evening will feature a drama about the life and martyrdom of Ted Studebaker, a Church of the Brethren volunteer and conscientious objector during the Vietnam War.
The closing worship service on Wednesday morning is being planned by a team of leaders including Melissa Bennet, pastor of worship and youth for Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Shawn Flory Replogle, pastor of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren; and Lee Solomon, dean of the doctor of ministry program at Ashland (Ohio)
Seminary.
The Anniversary Committee also plans a "service project blitz" around Richmond, to take place at two different times during the Conference: all day Saturday, July 12, and Monday morning, July 14. The Monday service projects will be for nondelegates only, as they will coincide with business sessions. "We want to make a difference in the Richmond community," said an announcement in the anniversary newsletter. "We are hoping that thousands of Brethren will participate, showing our Christian love by helping others in this way."
* 40 Days of Purpose: The next step
More than 30,000 churches around the world have participated in 40 Days of Purpose, the spiritual growth campaign launched by one of America’s largest churches, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.
This spring Bush Creek Church of the Brethren will take step two in a campaign designed to move into implementing God’s five purposes in the world. Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life calls this follow-up campaign 40 Days of Community. Bush Creek is making plans to participate in the campaign beginning April 13.
According to Pastor Warren 40 Days of Community moves people from focusing on God’s purposes in their personal lives – “What on Earth am I here for?” – to focusing on God’s purposes in their church and community – “What on Earth are we here for?”
Pastor Beekley pointed out that “the primary focus of this campaign is on fulfilling God’s five purposes together by deepening the sense of community within the church.”
Beginning April 6, all youth and adult Sunday School classes will meet in the fellowship hall at 9:30 for a video presentation by Rick Warren on the subject for the day. Following that presentation, the small groups will move to their own meeting areas for a continuing discussion of the topic introduced by Pastor Warren.
Members and friends of Bush Creek who are not currently participating in a Sunday morning group at 9:30 are encouraged to join one at least for this concentrated study. There are two groups meeting in the fellowship hall and two other groups at other places in the church. Sing up sheets are on the program table in the narthex. Any questions can be directed to Pastor Beekley or a member of the Ministry Commission.
* Bus Trip to 2008 Annual Conference
As we anticipate the anniversary of the founding of the Church of the Brethren, we have been exploring ways to make the 2008 Annual Conference a meaningful and memorable experience for as many Brethren as possible. Toward that end, the Bush Creek Church of the Brethren is organizing a bus trip to Richmond: a one day trip, leaving early in the morning (around 6:00 or 7:00) on Sunday, July 13, 2008, arriving in Richmond in time to experience worship and fellowship throughout the day, and returning in the evening (approximately 9:00).
Anticipated costs: For transportation on a full size luxury coach provided by Kewl Bus Lines, $35 to $40 per person (meals not included). There is a $15.00 registration fee at Conference, making each participant an official part of this celebration. Processing that fee is up to each individual, either in advance or on site in Richmond.
We would like to make this trip available to other Brethren in the central Maryland area, and anticipate pickup points in Westminster, Thurmont, Frederick, Union Bridge and Hagerstown, in addition to here at Bush Creek Church.
We need an early indication of interest from churches. Pastors or contact persons who have not already sent in their information should visit our web site to answer a few brief questions. Click here.
