Friday, December 01, 2006
MODERATOR NEWS AND NOTES
A goal I am committing to as Moderator and soon-to-be District Executive is to increase communications throughout the IL/WI District. Writing brief articles for the District Newsletter is one way of following through on this goal. Here is the first installment of what I intend to make a regular part of my efforts as a servant in this district.
District Conference 2006
Evaluations of the 2006 Conference held at the York Center Church of the Brethren Nov. 3-5 were very positive. Moderator Leonard Matheny's Spirit-led experiment to enhance the format of the Saturday business session was well received with hope that a similar format will be used in subsequent years. Joyce Person was called to serve as Moderator-elect. Conference-goers were given the opportunity to celebrate District life as Christ Connections Community Church, the Youth, and Disaster Response Coordinators excitedly shared about their ongoing ministries. This conference filled with sharing and celebration culminated with a time of prayer and anointing.
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team met at Camp Emmaus Nov. 17 & 18 for their annual retreat. Welcomed to the team were Sharon Rice (Northeast Region, York Center), Ed Garrison (Standing Committee Delegate, Mt. Morris), and Joyce Person (Moderator-elect, Polo). During the retreat, the Team was reorganized with Wilbur Bowman called as Chairperson and Loren Habegger called as Vice-Chair. Meeting dates and locations for 2007 were discussed and determined. An effort will be made to publicize Leadership Team meetings providing the opportunity for congregational representatives to attend. A transitional process was approved for the succession of the Moderator position. Kevin Kessler, Moderator, who has been called to serve as District Executive beginning Jan. 1, 2007, will resign as Moderator effective Dec. 31, 2006. Joyce Person, Moderator-elect will assume the position of Moderator. The Leadership Team will then appoint a person to fill the vacated Moderator-elect position. An announcement will be made when that appointment is made.
Study Committee
The Study Committee called "to give direction to the established structures of the district (including the New Church Development Board and the Leadership Team) in the development of protocol in response to" the Great Commission convened for a telephone conference call Nov. 20 and is now moving forward with their mandate. Mark Karasek (York Center congregation) is chairing this important committee and task.
Information
For further information about the District, please visit the District's website: www.iwdcob.org. Feel free to contact me, as well.
Peace,
Kevin Kessler, Moderator
120 N. Third Ave.
Canton, IL 61520
(309)647-4828
Email: cantoncob@sbcglobal.net
District Conference 2006
Evaluations of the 2006 Conference held at the York Center Church of the Brethren Nov. 3-5 were very positive. Moderator Leonard Matheny's Spirit-led experiment to enhance the format of the Saturday business session was well received with hope that a similar format will be used in subsequent years. Joyce Person was called to serve as Moderator-elect. Conference-goers were given the opportunity to celebrate District life as Christ Connections Community Church, the Youth, and Disaster Response Coordinators excitedly shared about their ongoing ministries. This conference filled with sharing and celebration culminated with a time of prayer and anointing.
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team met at Camp Emmaus Nov. 17 & 18 for their annual retreat. Welcomed to the team were Sharon Rice (Northeast Region, York Center), Ed Garrison (Standing Committee Delegate, Mt. Morris), and Joyce Person (Moderator-elect, Polo). During the retreat, the Team was reorganized with Wilbur Bowman called as Chairperson and Loren Habegger called as Vice-Chair. Meeting dates and locations for 2007 were discussed and determined. An effort will be made to publicize Leadership Team meetings providing the opportunity for congregational representatives to attend. A transitional process was approved for the succession of the Moderator position. Kevin Kessler, Moderator, who has been called to serve as District Executive beginning Jan. 1, 2007, will resign as Moderator effective Dec. 31, 2006. Joyce Person, Moderator-elect will assume the position of Moderator. The Leadership Team will then appoint a person to fill the vacated Moderator-elect position. An announcement will be made when that appointment is made.
Study Committee
The Study Committee called "to give direction to the established structures of the district (including the New Church Development Board and the Leadership Team) in the development of protocol in response to" the Great Commission convened for a telephone conference call Nov. 20 and is now moving forward with their mandate. Mark Karasek (York Center congregation) is chairing this important committee and task.
Information
For further information about the District, please visit the District's website: www.iwdcob.org. Feel free to contact me, as well.
Peace,
Kevin Kessler, Moderator
120 N. Third Ave.
Canton, IL 61520
(309)647-4828
Email: cantoncob@sbcglobal.net
2007 WORKCAMPS FOR BRETHREN
Mother Teresa said "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." Church of the Brethren Workcamps give us a chance to experience service and love firsthand. "Small Things, Great Love," the 2007 Workcamp theme, reminds us that God gives us small seeds of opportunity to put our faith into action. We can choose to use them in many ways. Workcamps nurture seeds - seeds of faith, seeds of service, seeds of hope - and promote growth with great love. Followers of Christ are called to come and see, and to act! When we follow the example of Jesus, we look to someone who fed the hungry; who gave drink to the thirsty; who visited the sick and imprisoned. Participation in a Church of the Brethren workcamp starts or continues the journey of service!
Workcamps are held all over the country for anyone Junior High through 100+ years old. The workcamp program expands this year, offering 35 workcamp experiences for Junior High Youth, Senior High Youth, Young Adults, and Intergenerational participants.. Our growth goal offers a variety of service environments like favorite Richmond, VA or first time site Dundalk, MD for diverse age groups. Everyone can find a workcamp to attend!
To learn more about workcamps, visit our website at http://www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/workcamps/index.html. Also look for our brochure at your church. Have questions? Contact Amy Rhodes, Rachel McFadden, Travis Beam, or Steve Van Houten at 1-800-323-8039 or at cobworkcamps_gb@brethren.org. We hope to see you next summer!
Workcamps are held all over the country for anyone Junior High through 100+ years old. The workcamp program expands this year, offering 35 workcamp experiences for Junior High Youth, Senior High Youth, Young Adults, and Intergenerational participants.. Our growth goal offers a variety of service environments like favorite Richmond, VA or first time site Dundalk, MD for diverse age groups. Everyone can find a workcamp to attend!
To learn more about workcamps, visit our website at http://www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/workcamps/index.html. Also look for our brochure at your church. Have questions? Contact Amy Rhodes, Rachel McFadden, Travis Beam, or Steve Van Houten at 1-800-323-8039 or at cobworkcamps_gb@brethren.org. We hope to see you next summer!
GOOD NEWS!
There will be no rate increase for MESSENGER subscriptions in 2007! Rates will remain at 2006 levels.
MORE GOOD NEWS! MESSENGER is your link to all the events and people in our denomination
Beth Burnette, Promotions Specialist
Your family, your church, your faith
MORE GOOD NEWS! MESSENGER is your link to all the events and people in our denomination
- Check to see if your church has a MESSENGER club. If you are an individual subscriber, you may not be aware of the reduced rate for club subscribers.
- If your church does not yet have a club, would you be willing to be a MESSENGER representative to help form one so you can benefit from reduced rates?
- Even if your church pays for subscriptions, remember that discounted subscriptions (gift, student, and first-year subscribers) are available any time during the year. First-year subscribers may be people interested in the Brethren faith or new members of the denomination who are learning about us and the many projects in which we are involved.
- Gift subscriptions are available for friends and family, especially for shut-ins who may feel separated from their church.
- The MESSENGER-on-tape series offered by the Association of Brethren Caregivers is also a perfect gift for many of these folks.
- In addition, eight-month subscriptions can be given to keep college-bound students grounded in their faith as they face new challenges.
- Some folks “get lost” when they relocate and want to renew their subscriptions. Do you have recent “newbies” in your congregation who want to renew? Check it out!
Beth Burnette, Promotions Specialist
Your family, your church, your faith
NEW WEB SITE FOR PEORIA
Visit First Church of the Brethren's new, exciting website on your internet connection. Go to www.peoriabrethren.org and see what is happening in Peoria.
Find out who we are; What's going on; What we believe; Active Ministries. There are links to other Brethren connections. Visit the Peoria Church online and see God's work through our Ministry.
Find out who we are; What's going on; What we believe; Active Ministries. There are links to other Brethren connections. Visit the Peoria Church online and see God's work through our Ministry.
Editors: Gil Crosby at crosbygm@juno.com and Leonard Matheny at mathelw@mindspring.com
