BMC Activities at Church of the Brethren Annual Conference 2006

BMC Active at Church of the Brethren Annual Conference

Luncheon:  BMC had an active presence at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, held in Des Moines, Iowa. Sunday, July 2nd was a particularly active day for BMC. Becky Kreps, BMC board member, was the featured speaker at a luncheon held at the publicly affirming St. John’s Lutheran Church. At the event, which drew over 80 people, Kreps reminded listeners that, “There comes a time when dialogue is not effective – particularly when the dialogue is truly a monologue or when the dialogue is about how to “keep the peace” without addressing the underlying issues.” Kreps presentation will appear in the next issue of Outspoken.

Public Witness:  Later that afternoon over 250 people gathered in the exhibit hall to participate in a BMC sponsored public witness. This was the second year for the witness, which was organized to call attention to BMC’s more than twenty year exclusion from the Conference exhibit area. The witness began as individuals carrying communion elements led a procession around the exhibit hall area. Using salt as a metaphor, participants reflected on the ways that the welcoming community is salt for a hurting church. “Salt is used in the winter to melt ice,” said SCN pastor Andrew Sampson, “Perhaps SCN churches are the salt that will help melt hearts of ice in the Church of the Brethren.” The service concluded with an open invitation to share communion.

Hospitality Room:  The day ended with a community gathering at the Voices for an Open Spirit/BMC Hospitality Room. Musicians David Hupp and James Towns offered up some inviting sounds as a packed house relaxed, chatted and enjoyed the music.

Becky Kreps speaks at BMC luncheon

Josih Hostetler and Jon Magley lead the witness procession

Brethren gather for public witness

David Hupp and James Towns perform in the BMC/VOS hospitality room

Photos by Dale Seese.