by Sherri Brokopp Binder, Ripple congregation, with Emily Ralph Servant, Director of Communication
Both the Implementation Committee and Business of the Conference Committee have been meeting over the summer, gathering feedback, and working on proposals for the logistics of a future reconciled conference in preparation for Franconia and Eastern District Conferences’ upcoming decision at Conference Assembly, November 1-2, 2019.
The Implementation Committee is responsible for thinking through how the reconciliation will take place, practically. As part of this, they are developing bylaws for the new conference based on the work of the Structure Team and other committees. To support the new bylaws, they are also updating documents like those that outline the roles of Delegates, Leadership Ministers, and so forth.
The Business of the Conference committee is responsible for developing a clear list of services provided to congregations by the Conference. They are discussing business matters and how they should be managed through the reconciliation, including ensuring that the budget reflects and is supportive of the mission and vision of the new Conference.
Together, the two committees are contributing to the legal documents required to complete the reconciliation. These documents will be available to delegates for review at the Assembly Scattered meetings, scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, 7:00 pm at Nations Worship Center in Philadelphia; Thursday, October 3, 7:00 pm at Salem Mennonite Church in Quakertown, PA; Tuesday, October 8, 7:00 pm EST (online) on a ZOOM video conference; Thursday, October 10, 9:00 am at Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville, PA; as well as additional meetings scheduled in Vermont & California.
Committee members:
Business/Finance
Task Force: Mark Reiff (Doylestown), Rina Rampogu (Plains)
Staff: Conrad Martin (Blooming Glen)
Eastern District: Jim Gunden (Zion)
Franconia: John Goshow (Franconia board; attends Blooming Glen)
Implementation:
Task Force: Scott Roth (Perkiomenville), Sherri Brokopp Binder (Ripple)
Staff: Mary Nitzsche (Perkasie)
Franconia: Ken Burkholder (Franconia board; attends Deep Run East)
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.