Page 12 - 2020 Conference Booklet

DISTRICT BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS

The time-worn phrase, “We’ve never done it this way before,” has become the new
standard. From the retirement home to the hospital, from the school to the church, from the
concert hall to athletic venues, and from the stores to where we work, “We’ve never done it
this way before!”

Our District Executive Brother Bill Waugh, and our Office Manager Carolyn Jones have
had to work without the benefit of being in the District Office at the Brethren Home. Member
churches owe a great debt of gratitude to them as they have had to work from home. As many
have found out, this is not a luxury, but a stressful necessity.

With that in mind, pray for our Steward’s Commission and office staff as plans are being
made to move the District office to a new location. It has been made clear that even after the
current health crisis there will be no place available in the Brethren Home for the District Office.

This 2020 Southern Pennsylvania District Conference will also be different; “We’ve never
done it this way before.” Our thanks go to Moderator John Hess, Moderator-Elect Ray Lehman,
the Buffalo Valley congregation, and the other congregations (Chambersburg, New Fairview
and Newville) hosting delegates and pastors on September 19, 2020. The challenges have been
unprecedented, but all of those involved in planning have done their best to carry on with our
“gathering.”

Brother Hess has chosen well for our theme, from Psalm 34:14, “Seek Peace & Pursue
It.” You might remember that David wrote this Psalm regarding the time that he had
pretended to be insane! Consider verses 11 through 14:

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

This is a time to look for the good, to pursue peace even in the midst of these trying
times of pandemic and social unrest. As Psalm 34:17-18 reminds us:

“The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

This is a time to pursue peace and to bring it to those who are brokenhearted, and to
those whose spirits are crushed by these unprecedented events in our lifetime.

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