TONIGHT'S SPEAKER MULTI-GIFTED Robin Wentworth Mayer, speaker for tonight's worship service, wears many "hats" well. She is pastor of the Kokomo, Ind. Church of the Brethren; she is a regular columnist for MESSENGER ("Stepping Stones"); she has managed her own private counseling practice; and she is a dedicated wife and mother. Mayer and her husband, Horst G. Mayer, have six children. She is a graduate of Ball State University and Ashland Theological Seminary. Prior to answering the call to the Kokomo Church, she was pastor of the Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren, Middlebury, Ind. Mayer has provided leadership for the denomination's evangelism program and is a member of the management team that plans the Evangelism Academies. She also served a term on the District Board of Northern Indiana. FIFTY EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS OFFERED Conference goers have fifty Insight Sessions from which to choose tonight, tomorrow, and Friday. Insight Sessions are designed to do just what their name implies: impart insight into what Brethren programs are and how they work. Each of the Insight Sessions is sponsored by a program branch of the General Board, and they are resourced by those in the church who are the most knowledgeable about the Insight subject. Insight Sessions follow the evening worship services and are scheduled for one hour, 9-10. The Conference booklet can be consulted for subjects and locations. INSIGHT ADDED TOMORROW NIGHT An Insight Session has been added to the list in the Conference booklet for tomorrow (Thursday) night. It will feature the premiere showing of "By Water and the Word," a new video on Brethren beginnings in Europe. Appearing in the video are Don Durnbaugh, Jeff Bach, Dale Brown, Dale Stoffer, and Bill Willoughby. TV actress Jill Eikenberry, of Brethren ancestry, narrates the video. The session will be in the Grand Ballroom B of the Regal Hotel, 9-10 p.m. GIVING BLOOD IS BEST HOSPITALITY "Give Blood - It's a Heartwarming Experience" is the theme of this year's Annual Conference Blood Drive. To donate a pint of life-giving substance to help another is perhaps the ultimate way to show hospitality, the overall theme of the Conference. The goal for the drive this year is 500 pints for Cincinnati's Hoxworth Blood Center. The drive started today and continues tomorrow and Saturday, noon-6:30 p.m., in Exhibit Hall C. This year appointments are being made for the blood drive at the sign-up table in the lobby. Drop-ins are also welcomed. PARTICIPANTS LISTED FOR LIVE REPORT Tomorrow at 9:20 a.m. delegates and others attending Conference will be treated to another dramatic Live Report from the General Board. Using live drama and audio-visual effects, the presentation gives an exciting overview of Brethren worldwide ministry. Tomorrow's program is entitled "The Bread We Break," and its setting is an imaginary orientation session for a Brethren Volunteer Service unit. Cast in key roles are Jim Bowyer, Mike Huffaker, Karen Cox, and David Miller. Program interpreters are Derek McDonald, Donna Mallott, Dan Plunkett, Orlando Redekopp, Connie Burkholder, Guy Wampler, Curtis Dubble, Dana Statler, Pattie Stern, Sandi Boeger, Ludovic St. Fleur, and Berwyn Oltman. Musicians are Jeanette Kearney Anderson, Stephanie Beery, Nancy Miner, and Erin Anspaugh. Other participants include some 30 CROP walkers and 60 servers of bread. Directing the Live Report is Lee Krahenbuhl; assisting with lighting and sound are Rex Knepp and Erik Snyder; and the video segments are by David Sollenberger and Church World Service. Developing the report for the General Board were staff members Todd Reish, Beth Sollenberger Morphew, Sara Speicher, Glenn Timmons, Donald Miller, and Howard Royer. Baking the variety of breads being served, 300 loaves in all, were staff members Beth Sollenberger Morphew and Elsie Holderread. TREE OF LIFE REPLANTED The Tree of Life, which has "blossomed" each of the past three Annual Conferences in the main assembly arena, has been "replanted" this year in the Andrew Center exhibit. The tree gets its leaves by delegates adding names of new members received by their churches since last Conference. Leaves on which the names can be written are available at the exhibit. Delegates are urged to help the tree take life! OAKLAND CHURCH TO SHOW AND TELL Moderator Fred Bernhard and other members of the Oakland Church of the Brethren will tell the story of how biblical hospitality has renewed the congregation and helped it grow, in an Insight Session tonight in Convention Center Room 244. The session begins at 9. WON BREAKFAST IS NOT RESTRICTED The Washington Office wants everyone to know that it is not necessary to be a current member of the Washington Office Network (WON) to attend the WON Breakfast on Friday morning. The event provides an opportunity to learn about Washington Office ministry. SEARCH COMMITTEE INVITES NAMES The General Board Search Committee for a new general secretary is broadening its search for qualified candidates and extending the application deadline until August 15. The committee invites members of the denomination to be active agents of the Holy Spirit in calling out the gifts of one another and to submit names of potential candidates to the committee. Search Committee members are Donald Fitzkee, chair; Stafford Frederick; Kathy Hess; Lori Knepp; and Beth Middleton. Names and addresses of potential candidates may be submitted to committee members throughout Conference week, or in writing to the chair following Conference. Persons called to consider the position are urged to write Donald Fitzkee, 117 Heisey Ave., P. O. Box 140, Rheems, PA 17570. An application packet will be forwarded in response. HEALTH CHECK-UPS AT ABC EXHIBIT A variety of health and caring opportunities are available at the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) exhibit throughout this week. They include shoulder massages, blood pressure screenings, private counseling, and consultations on making churches accessible for persons with disabilities. The bulletin board at the ABC exhibit gives the times. PRACTICES FOR CONCERT LISTED Practice times for the Saturday evening multicultural concert are tomorrow, 2:30-4:30 in the Convention Center Ballroom B; Friday, 1-3, Ballroom B; Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m., Bronze Room B of the Regal Hotel; and Saturday, 3-4 p.m., Convention Center Ballroom B. More information can be obtained at the Urban Ministry exhibit. WENGER TO FACILITATE SUPPORT GROUP A new support group for pastors who wish to talk about how co-dependency affects their ministry will be facilitated by John Wenger, Ph. D., a psychologist from Anderson, Ind. The group meets tomorrow morning, 7:30, in Convention Center Room 238. Co-dependency symptoms are recognized in behavior such as trouble saying "No," in overextending oneself, and in separating one's self from one's ministry. DOCTORS, NURSES NEEDED IN FIRST AID Any physicians, registered and licensed practical nurses willing to help out in the First Aid Station this week are asked to leave name and conference address /phone number at the First Aid Station, located off the hallway inside the main entrance to the Convention Center. LUNCHEON TOMORROW FOR TWO GROUPS Tomorrow's luncheon, listed in the Conference booklet as the Older Adult Luncheon, is also sponsored by the Church and Persons with Disabilities Network (CPDN). The two groups are combining to hear Darren and Denise Gabbert speak on "Disability-friendly Churches." The luncheon will be in the Regal Hotel Bronze Ballroom A. MODERATOR WANTS YOUR AUTOGRAPH! Everyone attending Conference is invited to stop by the Southern Ohio hospitality center and sign Moderator Fred Bernhard's guest book. CARDS TO CHEER FORMER AC MANAGER Former Annual Conference Manager Doris Lasley will undergo brain surgery July 9 to destroy an overactive part of her brain that is causing sporadic paralysis. She has been battling Parkinson's disease for some time. Those who may wish to send her a card may address it to Doris at 811 Scott Street, Elgin, IL 60123. FIFTEEN WOMEN HONORED TODAY Women from fifteen districts were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Church of the Brethren at today's Program for Women Luncheon. Cited by the National Women's Council as role models and mentors for other women were: Christina Campbell (Mich), Helen Constable (West Pa), Mary Eikenberry (So Ohio), Theresa Cocklin Eshbach (So Pa), Denise Gabbert (Mo-Ark), Sonya Pauline Sherfy Griffith (W Plains), Mary Mason (Atl SE), Jean R. Moyer (Atl NE), Judy Mills Reimer (Virlina), Gayle Hunter Sheller (Ore-Wash), Elaine Sollenberger (Mid Pa), Shirley Spire (SE), and June H. Wolfe (S/C Ind). Doris Knicely (Shen) and Ramona L. Jagger (N Ind) were recognized posthumously. BRETHREN PRESS LISTS SPECIALS Persons who purchase any three volumes in the Jubilee Celebrations series at the Brethren Press (BP) exhibit this week will receive a 20% discount off the retail price of $9.95. Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. three authors will be in the BP exhibit to autograph their books. Authors and titles featured will be: E. Paul Weaver, Journey Into Faith; Dale Brown, Understanding Pietism; and Steve Longenecker, Anabaptist Currents. Also tomorrow the BP will give a free copy of The Buggies Still Run by Warren Kissinger with every purchase. Brethren Press announces some changes to the audio taping schedule listed in the Conference booklet. The Ministers' Association Conference and the World Ministries Commission Dinner will both be on tape. The Urban Ministries Luncheon will not be taped. Audiocassettes are available at the BP exhibit or via the mail order form. PRESIDENT SEARCH SEEKS CANDIDATES The committee searching for a president for McPherson College seeks nominations of qualified persons. Send names to LaVon Rupel, P.O. Box 97, McPherson, KS 67460-0097. REGISTRATION LINE WAS LONG ALL DAY A long line backed up from the registration tables yesterday as most Conferencegoers arrived in time for last night's opening session. By day's end, 3,577 had registered, including 1,032 delegates. Last night's worship attendance was 3,903 and the offering, $6,677.60.