Atlantic Northeast District Conference Wrap-Up
October 12-13, 2012
The forty-third Atlantic Northeast District Conference of the Church of the Brethren was held at Elizabethtown College, Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, on October 12-13. Made Alive in Christ was the theme. Moderator was Robert Wintsch, member of the Mechanic Grove congregation, which was the host church this for this year’s conference. A total of 202 delegates attended, representing 75 out of 80 congregations.
Before Friday evening’s worship service, a Ministers’ Recognition Dinner, hosted by the District Ministry Commission, was held in the Susquehanna Room, Myer Hall. This year Anthony DiBenedetto, Philadelphia Geiger CoB, was recognized for his 50 years of ordained ministry. Newly ordained, licensed, and placed ministers were recognized as well as ACTS and TRIM Graduates.
Friday evening’s service of worship and praise was attended by 361. They were inspired by a 53- member district choir, led by Joy Brubaker. Keynote speaker Moderator Robert Wintsch presented an uplifting message on the conference theme Made Alive in Christ. An offering was shared of $2375 for SeBah – Seminario Biblico Anabautista Hispano (Hispanic Anabaptist Biblical Seminary).
Saturday’s business included the following:
- Celebration of two new projects: Potter’s House, Islip, NY and Source of Grace, Hyde Park, MA
- Disbanding of Gardiner Road Fellowship
- Board Chair Dave Stauffer gave updates on the Haitian First CoB and the Disaster Relief Auction
- Approved a budget for 2013 of $634,374
- Approved the following slate:
Moderator-Elect – Sherry Eshleman;
Program & Arrangements –Josh Tindall;
Gifts Discernment – Stephen Hess, Aida Sanchez, David Shissler;
Standing Committee – Larry O’Neill;
Alternate Standing Committee – Donna Hollinger;
District Board Vice Chair – Robert Di Salvio;
Church Development & Evangelism – Mary Etta Reinhart, Chris Smith;
Ministry – Marvin Foster;
Nurture & Christian Education – Josh Bytwerk, Donna Lefever-Hoover;
Stewardship – Robert Pickering, Barbara Hershey Platt;
Witness & Outreach –David Samaan, Gloria Torres
- Learned from the ANE District Displays
- Consecrated Thomas Fritz, from the Hempfield congregation, as the 2013 Moderator.