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Events - Cluster Meetings

MEMO TO:   All Delegates and Congregational Leadership Groups
       DATE:   February/March 2008
      FROM:   Timothy Burkholder, Interim Executive Conference Minister
SUBJECT:   2008 DELEGATE CLUSTER MEETINGS

I am pleased to welcome you to the 21st annual delegate cluster meeting series. We are in an exciting “in between time” during which the Executive Committee has made the following a priority:

           “In this time of transition, we will:

• listen to God and to each other;
• nurture caring connections;
• open ourselves to God’s surprises.”

It seems to me that we can accomplish something on each of these in our meetings and I hope you have an opportunity to share some of God’s surprises with each other during our time together.

The Transition Team will be sharing their progress to date, inviting us to learn how we can embrace ways to join God’s reconciling work in the world (“And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors….”  2 Corinthians 5: 19b-20a) and soliciting input on the nature of the lead conference minister to be called. Your counsel and feedback is also needed on the proposed 2008-09 Spending Plan that is reduced from the previous year but will still need generous support by each congregation. There will also be a time to consider the reasons for suspending the constitution in this summer’s Annual Sessions (June 19-21 at Westview Junior-Senior High School in Topeka, Ind.). At the end of the meeting we will provide time for you to plan how the information you receive can be taken back to your congregation for consultation and counsel.

We are extending an invitation and encouragement for all members of your congregational leadership to attend in addition to your delegates. We are also encouraging you to include young adults in your delegation. Please make sure that a delegate representing financial matters attends since there are important issues for them to receive information on and give feedback to.

Please read over the docket material carefully and make additional copies for all non-delegate persons attending from your congregation so that they will be fully informed for the meeting.

We look forward to having delegates and leaders together in your area. Come open to the Holy Spirit in our midst and be praying for our time together. May the Peace of Christ be in you radiating to those whom you are in contact with.