NEWSLINE - July 7, 1996 NEWSLINE is the weekly online newsletter of the Church of the Brethren posted each Thursday by the Communications Dept. through cobnews@aol.com. Interested persons can "hear" Newsline by calling 410 635-8738 or receive a "fax" of Newsline by calling 800 323-8039, ext. 257. Newsline by "e-mail" is available by sending an online request to cobnews@aol.com. To print this listing (Netscape), Press ALT, F, P To save this listing (Netscape), Press ALT, F, S To search this listing (Netscape) Hold CTRL + Tap F %%%%%%%%% = (heading of a new week) --------- = (heading of a new item) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% NEWSLINE 07-07-96 This is the Church of the Brethren Newsline for July 7 in Cincinnati. Today is the final day of Annual Conference. In today’s business, a 1995 study paper, "Nonviolence and Humanitarian Intervention," returned to the 1996 Annual Conference floor for adoption and was accepted by delegates with one slight editorial amendment. The statement is an outgrowth of concern voiced by members of the denomination several years ago about military intervention in Somalia. The 1995 study paper was reviewed by individuals and congregations throughout the year and received widespread input and suggested revisions, of which a number were included in the final paper. The paper provides a strong biblical basis and, according to Washington Office Director Tim McElwee, "builds on and is consistent with Church of the Brethren heritage and past General Board statements." A "Statement on Child Exploitation," which is the result of work by youth attending the 1995 Christian Citizenship Seminar, was accepted by Annual Conference delegates as a study paper for action at next year’s Annual Conference. The paper affirms the church’s global responsibility to the living and working conditions of children throughout the world. Delegates adopted a set of guidelines for developing and recommending curriculum in the Church of the Brethren that will serve as a foundation to direct future content and selection of materials for congregations. An amendment to add an item to the list of 12 guidelines was accepted by the delegate body. The addition concerned including study materials designed for or that take into account those individuals who are new to the denomination and/or new Christians who may not be "biblically literate." Conference delegates heard and accepted reports from several committees during Saturday morning’s business session. Among the heard reports were the Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Committee and Brethren representatives with the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches. A progress report was given by the committee assigned to the Office of Deacon; the committee will give its final report next year. Delegates also received a progress report of the Review and Evaluation Committee, which is charged with appraising the work of the General Board in terms of Annual Conference mandates. Delegates were asked to complete a questionnaire that will help the committee assess denominationwide concerns and perceptions about the General Board and its program before delivering a final report to the 1997 Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif. Annual Conference expressed its appreciation for retiring General Secretary Donald Miller. Miller, who will retire at the end of the year, received a plaque and a standing ovation for his work for the denomination, in this position. Conference attendees also were encouraged to attend a reception for Miller and his wife, Phyllis, following Saturday afternoon’s business session. Lowell Flory and Anne Gephart Quay were elected to the committee to study Denominational Polity: Property and Stewardship Issues. In preparing for his year as Annual Conference moderator, Fred Bernhard charged Bob Mikesell, a member of Bernhard’s congregation, to gather volunteers to greet people as they entered the Convention Center and the worship hall before each worship service. Over 160 Oakland Church of the Brethren members and members from other congregations volunteered as greeters before each service. Thirty-four youth from the Oakland congregation greeted Conference attendees on Wednesday morning. About 200 junior high youth participated in planned Annual Conference activities this year. In addition to daily devotions, speakers, field trips, and breaking down into groups of interests, the youth also constructed 800 Gift of the Heart school and health kits. The kits will be sent to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and then shipped on to Bosnia with other kits. SERRV International reported that total sales from Conference week were over $38,000, the most ever sold by the self-help handcrafts organization at an Annual Conference. The Andrew Center’s Tree of Life collected 1,182 leaves with names on them of new Church of the Brethren members who joined the denomination since last year’s Conference. Two Saturday evening concerts were available to Conference attendees. One concert was by the gospel ensemble Glad and a second by a choral group from Southern Ohio that sang selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. General Board member Stafford Frederick, pastor of the Olathe (Kan.) Church of the Brethren and a native of Trinidad, West Indies, provides the sermon for the Conference’s concluding worship service Sunday morning. His sermon title is "Living or dying, glorify God." Keith Funk, pastor of East Chippewa Church of the Brethren, Orrville, Ohio, will lead worship. Immediately following worship is a consecration service for 1997 Annual Conference moderator David Wine and moderator-elect Jimmy Ross. This is the Church of the Brethren Newsline for July 7. Newsline will resume its weekly schedule on July 18.