Separate No More

Dear friends, sisters and brothers,

In our final update, we are pleased to announce that the 2007 Annual Conference delegates overwhelmingly approved the Intercultural Study Committee's final report, "Separate No More."

We are thankful for every Church member's prayers during the past three years. We are grateful for the study, conversation, and on-going dialog that provided valuable insight to our findings.

Although our work as a study committee is done, this is a new beginning for the Church of the Brethren and an opportunity for growth, transformation, and healing.

"As we prepare to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren, we call all our sisters and brothers to recommit themselves to radical discipleship that embraces our traditional witness of peace, simplicity, compassion, and stewardship of God's creation. We give thanks for the old wineskins (Matthew 9:17) that faithfully carried forth the living witness of Christ in our world. But in the spirit of transformation found in Romans 12:2, it is time to make new wineskins for the future of the Church of the Brethren.

"Therefore, we recommend that the denomination widen the relevancy of our witness to those 'from every nation, people, tribe and tongue' by adopting Revelation 7:9 as our denominational vision for the remainder of the 21st century. Thus, we can clearly articulate to ourselves, our friends, and the unchurched that we are - and will be - SEPARATE NO MORE."

Blessings in Christ,

Asha
Darla Kay
Gilbert
Glenn
Nadine
Neemita
Thomas

Winner: Adult

Josephine "Jo" Wampler
Bridgewater Church of the Brethren

Winner: Teen/Youth

Mitchell Miller
Codorus Church of the Brethren

Winner: Older Child

Victoria Royal
Pleasantview Church of the Brethren

Winner: Young Child

Hannah Custer
Huntsdale Church of the Brethren

Deadline Extension: Revelation 7:9 Art Contest

We are extending the submissions deadline for the Revelation 7:9 Art Contest to May 11, 2007!

For guideline information, please consult the original announcement below this posting. Completed entries must be received by May 11 to:

Asha Solanky
Attn: Art Contest
8209 Franconia Rd.
Richmond, VA 23227

Age group winners will be announced here and at the 2007 Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio (June 30 - July 4, 2007).

Announcement: Revelation 7:9 Art Contest

The Intercultural Study Committee invites you to participate in our Revelation 7:9 Art Contest! Entries are welcome from all ages groups, and congregations are urged to encourage participation from their membership.

Guidelines:
One entry per artist.
Entries should represent the artist's understanding of Revelation 7:9. (See below.)
All entries must be flat on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper.
Any media may be used (i.e., crayons, markers, oils, graphics images, photography, etc.).
On the back of the entry, please clearly print (or firmly attach a sticker that includes):
1. Artist's name,
2. Congregation name and address, and
3. Age group, using these categories:
- Young child (8 and under)
- Older child (9 to 12)
- Teenager/youth (13 to 18, in high school)
- Adult (College-age and older)

Deadline: Entries must be received by Friday, April 6, 2007 to:
Asha Solanky
Attn: Art Contest
8209 Franconia Rd.
Richmond, VA 23227

Judges will award a prize to the winner of each age group. All of the artwork, including the winning entries, will be displayed in the Intercultural Study Committee's booth at the 2007 Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio (June 30 - July 4, 2007).

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held branches in their hands." ~Revelation 7:9