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2009-05-19 issue:

What delegates may expect

by Mennonite Church USA

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Wednesday, July 1
All delegates are encouraged to be present for the opening session. Leaders will be introduced and delegates will get acquainted with each other in their table groups and participate in the first Dwelling in the Word Bible study. Delegates will be oriented to the process and agenda for the week. We will hear from churchwide guests.

We will examine the larger context for our calling and work together in Mennonite Church USA. A churchwide financial report will be presented and delegates will examine priorities, initiatives and strategies for the church. The Executive Board will present its biennial report and project goals for the future. There will be time for table discussion and response from the floor. Following the delegate session, agency roundtables will give delegates an opportunity to talk to the leaders of our churchwide agencies.

Thursday, July 2
After a Dwelling in the Word Bible study, delegates will talk about the 2007 Assembly resolution on national identity and challenges to our ministry together in our cultural context. Table group and floor time will be followed by an initial report from the Listening Committee. We'll connect with several more churchwide guests and hear about follow through on the 2007 Delegate Assembly resolution to join Christian Churches Together.

Delegates will hear a joint report about the work of the church through the Executive Board and its four churchwide agencies, including an update on the Joining together, Investing in hope capital campaign for new churchwide facilities in Elkhart, Ind. Table discussion and opportunity for comments from the floor will follow. An affirmation ballot for the next moderator-elect and churchwide board members will be followed by reports from Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite World Conference.

Friday, July 3
This session will feature input from the Constituency Leaders Council of area conferences and constituency groups as well as progress on the 2007 Delegate Assembly resolution on healthcare access. The Corinthian Plan will provide healthcare insurance for all pastors and church workers in Mennonite Church USA. Table group discussion and opportunity for comments from the floor will follow. The resolutions committee will present a report about potential new resolutions.

Delegates will be joined by representatives from the youth convention for a Dwelling in the Word Bible study and discussion, as well as a report from youth convention representatives. Table group and floor time will follow. After the listening committee gives its second report, the Assembly will give its attention to a call for racial healing and reconciliation among us.

Saturday, July 4
After our final Dwelling in the Word Bible study and a report about an initiative to provide more resources for our growing racial-ethnic congregations, delegate time is available for the resolutions committee to present new resolutions for consideration by the delegate body.

In the final delegate session we will reflect on our experiences in these delegate sessions and encourage each other to greater faithfulness in our work together. The listening committee will present its final report and unfinished business will be completed. Table group and floor time will follow. Transitions in leadership will be recognized.

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