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The July 5 - 9, 2003 Annual Conference was held on the campus of Boise State University in their 13,000 seat, 17,472 square foot sports complex called The Pavilion. With a population slightly over 403,000 at an elevation of 2,842 feet and nicknamed the “City of Trees,” Boise straddles the Boise River which has become a haven for Rafting Enthusiasts. Parks and Fountains offered relief from the hot dry climate. This move to a campus environment is in keeping with increasing requests to lower the cost of Annual Conference by utilizing the facilities of universities or second-tier cities. New AC Executive Director Lerry Fogle of Frederick, Maryland, assumes the helm from Duane Steiner who resigned in 2002. Meals were served in either the Student Union cafeteria or under outside tenting. Exhibits were housed in both the Pavilion or the adjacent Kinesiology Center. Messages awaited friends or colleagues. In Jesus' Name was the theme and logo of the Conference but Prayer was the emphasis. Youth from each District made drawings of what prayer meant to them and was displayed on a Prayer Wall. Tuesday evening provides worshippers with another opportunity to enjoy the Children's Choir. Business Sessions convened under the leadership of Moderator Harriet Finney, Co-District Executive of Indiana South-Central District, and Moderator-elect Christopher Bowman. Unfinished Business: Duties and Relationship of Moderators which was sent to the newly installed Annual Conference Council for redrafting, and India Church Relationships recommendation for a fresh approach to resolving the disunity between Churches of Northern India (CNI) and Brethren churches that have withdrawn from that coalition. New Business: Clarification of Confusion was also given to the new AC Council to provide greater interpretation of last years delegate action to the sponsoring Michigan District. Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ was returned to the sponsoring Eaton COB / Ohio Southern District as delegates feared a creedal statement may be the result. Living Peace Church was accepted that calls for continued efforts toward peace. One delegate questioned the Conference to explain why abortion, the war in the womb, was not included. Denominational Name study committee requested an additional year to listen and encourage dialog. Congregational Disagreements with Annual Conference Decisions was given to a new study committee that will seek to advise congregations and districts with guidelines concerning disagreements. One delegate noted that this situation is nothing new to the Church of the Brethren. He cited that women were permitted to enter the ministry in 1922 and yet many congregations will not accept women in the pastorate. Additionally, he observed that the COB was a founding member of both the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches, yet many Brethren still object to participation in each body. Reportable Agencies: Brethren Benefit Trust celebrates 60th Anniversary of Pension Plan. Report of Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee was accepted that recommended an increase for the 2004 pastoral scale of 2.1 percent. Additional Notes:
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