DISTRICT CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

by Kevin Kessler, DE

The First Church of the Brethren, Peoria, served as the host of the 2008 District Conference held November 7-9. Conference opened with worship Friday evening with Moderator-elect Gil Crosby serving as worship leader and Moderator Jerry Sales providing the message, based on the conference them of “Love One Another.” Both Moderator-elect and Moderator are members of the Peoria congregation.

Moderator Sales convened the business meeting Saturday morning. The business agenda flowed smoothly and, in addition to usual reports, included the following:

• A report on the growing Martin Creek congregation. As a result of their growth, action was taken to approve the birth of a new congregation, The Rock Community Church of the Brethren. This will be a new congregation in addition to the existing Martin Creek congregation.
  
  
• A recommendation was made and approved to revise the bylaws of the New Church Development Board.
  
  
• A recommendation was received and approved to revise the constitution of Camp Emmaus.
  
  
• A balanced budget of $92,000 was approved.
  
  
• Called to serve were Orlando Redekopp, Moderator; Pat Heid, Treasurer; Christine Hoecker, Financial Secretary; Roger Ruth, Program and Arrangements; Vernon Dean, Jim Lehman and Anna Lee Hisey-Pierson, Leadership Team; Carol Kussart and Christy Waltersdorff, Gifts Discernment and Call Committee; Pat Rittle, Don Fecher and Ralph McFadden, Pinecrest Community; Karen Bridges, Russ Edwards, Joan Boatz, Pleasant Hill Village; Molly Westlake, Lynn Jones, and Mike Siburt, Camp Emmanuel; Ellis Boughton and Don Hart, Camp Emmaus; Dawn Blackman, Vernon Showalter, and Lois Snyder, New Church Development Board; Elvin Zook, Sara Edgerton, Marsha Link, Larry Rowland, and John Zeglis, Manchester College Board of Trustees.
  
  
• Moderator Sales led a service of unity using baptismal waters from congregations throughout the district.
  
  
• Discussion was held regarding the legal issues pertaining to property of the Astoria Church of the Brethren. Included was discussion about polity regarding congregational property.
  
  
• A recommendation was received and approved to dissolve the federation agreement the LaMotte Prairie Church of the Brethren had with the Oak Grove Church near Palestine, IL.
  
  
• Gil Crosby was recognized as a graduate of TRIM.
  
  
• Orlando Redekopp was consecrated as the Moderator-elect.

Sunday morning included three insight sessions. David Shumate, Annual Conference moderator, was slated to be the speaker during the Sunday morning worship service. Due to a family situation, David was unable to be present. Herman Ware, a church planter working with NDCT to plant a church on the west side of Chicago, graciously agreed to speak Sunday morning. Host pastor, Dana McNeil, served as worship leader. Gil Crosby was installed as moderator for 2009.