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Click above for the minutes from District Conference.
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Click above for a video of District Conference.
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In this issue...
(Click on the article you wish to read for easy navigation. If this doesn't work, you may view the newsletter in your browser by clicking here. Please also consider printing this document from your browser and displaying it on your church bulletin board for those who don't have email access.)
1. DISTRICT EXECUTIVE REPORT TO 2011 DISTRICT CONFERENCE
2. DISTRICT CONFERENCE WORSHIP AND MINISTRY RECOGNITIONS
3. DISTRICT CONFERENCE ACTION ITEMS
4. DISTRICT CONFERENCE AUCTION, GIVING AND SERVICE PROJECTS
5. DISTRICT BOARD REORGANIZES FOR 2011-2012
6. PRAYING FOR OUR TRAINING IN MINISTRY STUDENTS
7. REMINDER: DISTRICT YOUTH RETREAT AT IVESTER - NOVEMBER 11-13
8. DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS
9. DISTRICT STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
10. ARCHIVES, DOCUMENTS, WEBSITES AND MORE
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE REPORT TO 2011 DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Tim Button-Harrison, Northern Plains District Executive
 We live in times of great challenge and change that seem overwhelming and discouraging for many. Yet we are not hopeless or despairing, because we meet these times as a community of faith, blessed by God with heritage, promise and gifts. Remembering the past, those who came before us, we are inspired by the work of their hands and the witness of their voice. Trusting the future, what God has promised, we are encouraged by even the smallest signs of new life and hope springing up in our midst. And believing in a God who abundantly provides, we begin to discover that the talents, abilities, and resources needed to meet these times, are already within, among and around us.
These Hands…..This Voice…..These Times. This motto comes to us through the blended prayers and creativity of Ken Neher and Janis Pyle. They offered it to me and I offer it to you, Northern Plains District, as our collective motto for the months and years ahead.
In these troubling, challenging, promising, and exciting times, great things are happening in our District and new things are on the horizon. The District Conference Booklet includes reports telling about the ministries of Northern Plains District. These include efforts to develop leaders, expand witness, nurture people of all ages, deepen spiritual ties, and extend the church in new ways and places. There are also efforts underway to expand District communications, deepen the District Prayer Ministry, revitalize congregations, heighten intercultural awareness, and call out area ministers. These all aim to strengthen relationships among congregations to develop shared ministries to continue the work of Jesus, with these hands, and this voice, for these times.
This is only possible because of your dedicated work and witness. As I think of all our congregations and pastors, and each person who faithfully serves our District as an Officer or District Board member, or through the many District Committees or Appointments to carry out our work together, I am filled with deep gratitude. For your commitment, dedication and generosity, I offer you my heart-felt THANK YOU!
Prayer of Dedication
Dear God -- The challenges and questions we face in our lives, our congregations, and our world can seem overwhelming. Help each one of us to trust and see that you supply the strength and solutions we need through what is simple, well-known, and available in our lives. These hands that can reach out, welcome, comfort, create, provide and repair. And this voice that can speak with honesty and truth, share stories of life, love, loss and faith, inspire hope, challenge wrong, and offer wisdom and counsel. For these times in which we live, times of change and complexity, times of great human suffering and global problems, times of searching for faith, hope and love, times ripe and ready for the work and witness of your church. To continue the great work of Jesus in your world, O God, we dedicate ourselves and our resources, beginning with… these hands… and this voice… for these times. Amen. [RETURN TO TOP]
DISTRICT CONFERENCE WORSHIP AND MINISTRY RECOGNITIONS
 This year’s District Conference was held at Camp Pine Lake on July 29-31 with a Big Tent for our worship. Moderator Rick Gingrich (Open Circle) had selected the conference theme: “Let Our Stories Nurture Our Future.” The preacher Friday night was Roger Peckover (Lewiston). The service began with ministry recognitions: a graduation ceremony for Sue Bollinger (Lewiston) who completed the Training in Ministry (TRiM) program, recognition of the District’s eight TRiM students (see article below “Praying For Our Training in Ministry Students”), and this year’s Milestones in Ministry for ordained ministers recognized Cliff Ruff (60 years), Charles Grove (25 years), Tim Peter (20 years), and Lucy Basler (15 years).
The Saturday evening vesper service was the first service held in the new chapel. Led by Diana Lovett (English River), the evening included an open mic for story and song sharing. The Sunday preacher Sunday morning was 2011 Annual Conference Moderator Robert Alley. Toward the end of worship, a dedication service was held for newly elected District Leadership, and the Moderator’s gavel (along with a towel and bar of soap) was passed by Rick Gingrich to Ida Van Westen (Worthington), our 2012 District Moderator. [RETURN TO TOP]
DISTRICT CONFERENCE ACTION ITEMS
1) A decision was made to use “consensus” to conduct this year’s business.
2) The ballot was marked with the following results: Moderator-Elect is Roger Emmert (Panther Creek); Recording Secretary is Alan Oneal (Panther Creek); District Board Members are Rhonda Pittman Gingrich (Open Circle), Lucinda Douglas (Living Peace)¸Diane Nolt (Root River), Brian Archer (Ottumwa), Merlin Grady (South Waterloo), Daniel Butler (Ivester), Conrad Douglas (Living Peace), and LaDonna Brunk (Ivester); Youth District Board Members are Brianna Goldman (English River) and Alina Douglas (Living Peace); Nominating Committee Members are Sue Bollinger (Lewiston) and Marge Smalley (Beaver); Program Committee is Janis Pyle (District member).
3) The proposed 2012 Budget was passed. Click the following pages to see it: page one, page two, page three.
4) Changes were made to the District’s Constitution and Bylaws. Click here to read them.
5) It was decided that the 2012 District Conference will be held at the Cedar Rapids First Baptist Church / Church of the Brethren on August 3-5, 2012. [RETURN TO TOP]
DISTRICT CONFERENCE AUCTION, GIVING AND SERVICE PROJECTS
 The District Auction raised $3,589.50 and $3,471.84 was received in offering donations. Additionally, diapers for Haiti (made from t-shirts) were collected, as well as non-perishable items for the local food shelf. Thank you everyone for your generosity and commitment to the mission and work of the Church of the Brethren in the Northern Plains District!!! [RETURN TO TOP]
DISTRICT BOARD REORGANIZES FOR 2011-2012
On July 30, the District Board reorganized for 2011-2012 as follows:
Executive Committee: Kathy Mack (Board President), David Whitten (Vice-President), Barbara Lewczak (Ministry Chair), Rhonda Pittman Gingrich (Nurture Chair), Laverna Sincox (Stewards Chair), Judy Mill (Witness Chair). (Ex Officio members of the Executive Committee are Alan Oneal (Recording Secretary), Diane Mason (Treasurer), Ida Van Westen (Moderator), Roger Emmert (Moderator-Elect), Tim Button-Harrison (District Executive), Lois Grove (Leadership Development).
Ministry Commission: Barbara Lewczak (chair), Ernie Dicks (secretary), Lucinda Douglas, Paul Little, Daniel Butler
Nurture Commission: Rhonda Pittman Gingrich (chair), Brian Archer (secretary), Diana Lovett, Terri Hansen, Christina Singh, Alina Douglas
Stewards Commission: Laverna Sincox (chair), Conrad Douglas (secretary), Ron Steege, Beverly Brinegar, Sarah Mason
Witness Commission: Judy Mill (chair), David Oliver (secretary), Diane Nolt, Merlin Grady, LaDonna Brunk, Brianna Goldman
Other members or participants of the District Board are Nelda Rhodes-Clarke (Standing Committee), Dick and Karen Williams (Disaster Ministries), Kirby Leland (Camp Pine Lake Board Chair).
District Board meetings are open and visitors are welcome. (On rare occasions there may be a closed session for a particular business item that requires confidentiality.) Upcoming District Board meeting dates and locations are October 28-29, 2011 (Fairview COB), February 3-4, 2012 (South Waterloo COB), April 27-28¸ 2012 (Camp Pine Lake), August 3, 2012 (Cedar Rapids Baptist/Brethren). [RETURN TO TOP]
PRAYING FOR OUR TRAINING IN MINISTRY STUDENTS
 At the 2011 District Conference, Lois Grove passed out bookmarks with the favorite scriptures of our Training in Ministry students and invited us to keep them in our prayers. Here are the students and their scripture: Brian Archer (Amos 7:14-15), Sue Bollinger (Philippians 4:8), Sharon Heien (Ephesians 3:14-21), Randy Johnson (John 10:10), Marilyn Koehler (Romans 8:38-39), Barbara Lewczak (1 Corithians 13:12-13), Diane Mason (2 Timothy 1:7), and Sarah Mason (Galatians 6:2). Sue Bollinger completed her TRiM studies this summer and Barbara Lewczak will complete her studies this fall. (Pictured left to right: Brian Archer, Lois Grove, Barbara Lewczak, Sharon Heien, Diane Mason and Sue Bollinger.) [RETURN TO TOP]
REMINDER: DISTRICT YOUTH RETREAT AT IVESTER - NOVEMBER 11-13
Open to all Senior High Youth (including recent graduates)! Enjoy plenty of fun and games, singing, fellowship and spiritual time at the District Youth Retreat. The fun starts Friday evening (November 11) and continues through Sunday morning (November 13) at Ivester Church of the Brethren.
Reconnect with old friends and make new ones as well. Take a break from your busy fall schedule to enjoy some time in God's presence. $35 registration fee covers the cost of everything, including meals.
Contact Barbara Wise Lewczak at bwlewczak@netins.net for more information. [RETURN TO TOP]
DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 16, District Fun-Raiser, Ankeny COB, 4-7 p.m.
October 23-29, Northern Plains Disaster Work in Bellevue/Brentmont Tennessee
October 28-29, District Board Meeting, Fairview Church of the Brethren
October 29, Iowa City Area Brethren Gathering, First Mennonite Church of Iowa City, 5 p.m.
November 5, Church Development and Renewal Committee, Clear Lake Library, 10:30
November 8, NE Iowa/SE MN Brethren Pastors Meeting, South Waterloo COB, noon
November 8, Central Iowa Brethren Pastors Meeting, Stover Mem. COB, 10 a.m.
November 14-17, DE at Advanced Foundations for Church Leadership
November 18-21,, DE on vacation
December 4, Sue Bollinger Ordination Service, Lewiston (MN) COB
December 13¸Central Iowa Brethren Pastors Meeting, Ankeny COB, 10 a.m.
---- 2012 ----
January 21-26, Council of District Executives Winter Meeting
February 3-4, District Board Meeting, South Waterloo COB
February 18, Church Development and Renewal Committee, Clear Lake Public Library, 10:30
February 27-March 1, DE at Advanced Foundations for Church Leadership
March 20, Central Iowa Ecumenical Pastors Forum, Ankeny Resurrection Lutheran, 9noon
April 5, Maundy Thursday Love Feasts
April 8¸Easter
April 27-28, District Board Meeting, Camp Pine Lake, Eldora, IA
May 17-19, Church of the Brethren, Church Planting Conference
May 22-23, Iowa Ecumenical Leaders Annual Retreat
June 18-21, DE at Advanced Foundations for Church Leadership
July 1-7, Brethren Song and Story Festival at Camp Emmanuel, Astoria, IL
July 7-11, Annual Conference, St. Louis,MO
August 3-5, Northern Plains District Conference, Cedar Rapids Brethren/Baptist Church
September 24-27, DE at Advanced Foundations for Church Leadership
---- 2013 ----
June 29-July 3, Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC [RETURN TO TOP]
DISTRICT STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Tim Button-Harrison, District Executive, 1211 Clark Ave., Ames, IA 50010, 641-485-5604, nplainscob@gmail.com
Nancy Davis, Office/Financial Secretary, P.O. Box 493, Ankeny, IA 50021, 515-964-4816, npofficesecretary@gmail.com
Lois Grove, Leadership Development, 6 Grenville St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503, 712-326-8266, grove19@msn.com
Matt and Betsy Kueker, Camp Managers, 23008 W Avenue, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-939-5334, camppinelake@heartofiowa.net
Barbara Lewczak, Camp Program Director, 26505 195th St., Minburn, IA 50167, 515-240-0060, bwlewczak@netins.net
Jess Hoffert, Communications Intern, 708 16th Street Apt. 3, Des Moines, IA 50314, 507-429-0495, nplainscom@gmail.com
[RETURN TO TOP]
ARCHIVES, DOCUMENTS, WEBSITES AND MORE
Archive of Newsletters
October 7, 2011
September 21, 2011
August 26, 2011
June 29, 2011
May 28, 2011
April 28, 2011
March 31, 2011
February 18, 2011
January 20, 2011
December 10, 2010
November 13, 2010
Documents
2011 District Directory
2011 District Budget
2012 District Budget pages one, two and three
District Constitution and Bylaws
Church Development and Renewal Charter
District Membership Task Force Resources
Annual Conference Statement “The Meaning of Membership”
List of Resources for Membership Training
Background and Notes for Discussion
Where Do We Go From Here?
Weaving Our Stories Together: Documents and Links
Logo to use in newsletters, projections, etc.
"Weave Us Together" song by Rosemary Crowe
District Board Fall 2010 Workshop led by Janis Pyle
Brethren Heritage Day 2010: Stories and Poems
“Planting a Church on the Prairie” by Marlene Neher
“Pray for Us and We’ll Pray for You” by David Whitten
“A Cool, Soaking Rain” by David Whitten
"The Boastful Farmer" by Lee Hogle
"The Race of Life" by Lee Hogle
“Total Nonsense” by Lee Hogle
Other Pieces
Harold Smith Eulogy by Tim Button-Harrison
[RETURN TO TOP]
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