ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Dennis Webb (Naperville), the district’s representative to the Annual Conference Standing Committee, has submitted his resignation effective at the end of this year’s Annual Conference. The district Leadership Team is working on finding a replacement to fill that term.

COVID Protocols: The Annual Conference office recently updated the COVID-19 protocols for gathering in Omaha in July. Per that notice, the following guidelines will be in effect for the time together:

• Attendees will be expected to wear N95 or KN95 masks at all times in the convention center and in the meeting rooms at the Hilton except when eating or drinking. Leadership speaking from the podium or head table may remove their masks while speaking to be better understood, but will replace their masks when they are finished speaking.
• Congregational singing (masked) will be permitted. All choirs will also wear their masks while singing.
• Meal events will take place, but with limits on numbers to allow for safe distancing, and planners will be asked to present the program first. Those who feel comfortable doing so may eat in the meeting room and enjoy the table fellowship, while those who do not feel comfortable doing so will be able to request a boxed meal to take with them after the program.
• Social distancing reminders will be posted in areas where people tend to congregate in lines.
• A small red heart sticker will be available for individuals to affix to their nametags to identify their desire to maintain a distance of three feet. This is a simple way to communicate a desire for extra personal space.

Although not required at this time, all Conference attendees are encouraged “to test for COVID before coming to Annual Conference,” per the announcement. “If you test positive—or if someone in your household tests positive within five days prior to Annual Conference (whether or not they were planning to come to Annual Conference)—please, please, please stay home.” In these cases, registration fees will be refunded. Anyone who feels ill while at Annual Conference is asked to get tested and then isolate until you have a test result. Those who test positive should not return to in-person activities. Read more Conference details at https://www.brethren.org/ac2022.

The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference will take place July 10-14 in Omaha, Neb. This will be the first in-person conference since 2019. A virtual option for non-delegates will provide access to business sessions, a Ted & Co. theatre performance, two concerts, and selected equipping sessions for a fee. Online registration ends June 10; on-site registration will be available at a higher fee.
   
The business items for the conference are posted online. The Conference will address one item of unfinished business, “Update to Polity Regarding Annual Conference Agencies,” and seven items of new business.
   
New business includes queries on “Standing with People of Color” and “Breaking Down Barriers–Increasing Access to Denominational Events”; three items related to pay and benefits for pastors: a new Integrated Annual Ministry Agreement and Revised Guidelines for Pastors’ Salaries and Benefits, a Revised Minimum Cash Salary Table for Pastors, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment to the Minimum Cash Salary Table for Pastors (the latter recommendation to come in June); amendments to the appeal section of the Ethics in Ministry Relations polity document; and revisions to the denomination’s bylaws. Learn more at https://www.brethren.org/ac2022.
   
Topping the elections ballot are two candidates for Annual Conference moderator-elect—Marla Bieber Abe and Madalyn Metzger (formerly of Springfield First)—and two candidates for Annual Conference secretary—Connie R. Burkholder (who served as interim district executive last year) and David K. Shumate. A variety of other committee and board positions are also on the ballot. Complete biographical information is available at www.brethren.org/ac2022/business/ballot.
   
To watch the business online you must register as a virtual nondelegate. Business sessions will no longer be live-streamed free of charge. Go to www.brethren.org/ac2022/registration.