Page 19 - 2025 Plan of Organization

(5) Promote the peace and service beliefs of the Church of the
Brethren and enable congregations and members to make an appropriate response to
denominational peace and service beliefs.

(6) Encourage and give assistance to congregations in the area
of Refugee resettlement.

(7) Work with the Pennsylvania Council of Churches in the
areas of Council on Alcohol Problems, Truck Stop Ministry, and Fruitbelt Farm Workers Ministry,
providing lay and staff representation to these areas of ministry.

(8) Undergird the Emergency Response and Services
Ministries in partnership with the denominational Emergency Response and Services Ministries
offices. This shall be accomplished by providing interpretation to the local District congregations
and appropriate response communications with the local congregations.

(9) Undergird the Brethren Disaster Relief Auction of the
Atlantic Northeast and Southern PA Districts. This shall be accomplished by working in
partnership with the Disaster Relief Auction Board of Directors and by providing a liaison from
the Witness Commission to the Auction Board of Directors to serve ex-officio without vote.

(10) Uplift and promote Heifer International (formerly Heifer
Project) in appropriate ways.

(iii) Ministry Commission. The Ministry Commission shall be
responsible for providing guidance and supervision of the work of the set-apart credentialed
ministry in the District. The Commission shall be made up of both lay and ordained persons;
however, the majority shall be ordained. The Commission will be responsible to:

(1) Counsel candidates prior to licensing, conducting
subsequent pre-licensing interviews, and recommendation to the calling congregation for final
approval and subsequent notification to District Board of that approval.

(2) Promote educational opportunities for ordination through
the graduate-level Master of Divinity (MDiv), Training in Ministry (TRIM), Education For Shared
Ministry (EFSM), and Academy-level training Systems utilizing Bethany Theological Seminary,
Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, and other accredited approved training opportunities.

(3) Administer the student loan fund for the District.

(4) Review and provide clearance to all licensed ministers’
requests to perform weddings.

(5) Counsel candidates prior to ordination, conducting
subsequent pre-ordination interviews, and presentation of the candidate to the District Board for
approval.

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