From District Conference 2016: A Summary of Conference

2016 Northern Plains District Conference Summary

Moderator Rhonda Pittman Gingrich presided over the 150^th Big Meeting of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District, August 5-7, 2016, at the West Des Moines Christian Church, with guest speaker Jeff Carter, President of Bethany Theological Seminary, and guest music coordinator Carol Elmore of the Virlina District, under the theme “This is Our Story….This is Our Song.”

Conference Actions:

1. Slate/Ballot Results: Moderator-elect (Marilyn Koehler); District Board Adults (Beth Cage, Doris Covalt, Alan Cox, Penny James, Diane Sittig, and Denise Flory); District Board Youth (Lauren Gumm, Caleb Peter); District Conference Planning Committee (Kim Hill Smith, Barbara Miller); District Leadership Call Team (Lucinda Douglas, Diana Lovett).
2. Church Closure: Motion passed to disorganize the Robins Church of the Brethren
3. Future Conference Locations: 2017 and 2018 District Conferences will be held at South Waterloo Church of the Brethren on August 4-6, 2017 and August 3-5, 2018.
4. 2017 District Budget:  Approved a budget totaling $112,505.00
5. Discernment of District Leadership: Leadership was discerned through prayer.
6. Calling District Leadership: Conference approved using a ballot to select the district leadership call committee, and all other positions to be chosen by a slate.

At the close of the Worshipful Work/Business Session, District leaders were dedicated and the incoming Moderator, David Whitten, was consecrated through prayer and the laying on of hands.  Moderator Whitten then introduced the theme for the 2017 District Conference: Go in the Strength you have…Am I not Sending You?  (Judges 6:14).

Attendance:
22 churches represented
116 adults registered
60 delegates among those registered
14 children/youth registered

Finances:
$6,124.02 in offerings
$5,377.50 from the auction
$1000.00 from auctioning the 150^th Anniversary Quilts
$718 for 150^th Anniversary Fundraising from Ankeny Church of the Brethren
$654.40 (for Sr. High) and $66.50 (for Jr. High) from Nurture Breakfast and Ice Cream Social
$73.00 donated to BVS for Marge’s Smalley’s books
$145.00 for Camp Pine Lake Fundraising

Service Projects:
304 Diapers for Haiti were delivered
25 Hygiene kits were taken to New Windsor
$120 for Des Moines Area Religious Council
$100 for backpacks