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Abbotsford, B.C.
Combined US and Canada MB celebration set for Abbotsford in July 2002


Delegates from over 400 Mennonite Brethren congregations in the United States and Canada will gather for a celebration July 25–27, 2002 in Abbotsford, B.C. They will celebrate over 140 years of ministry of the binational body, the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, and formalize the dissolution of the Conference as the ministries are transferred to the two national conferences: Canadian MB Conference and US MB Conference.

Under the theme “Like a fire . . . burning in my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9), convention planners have arranged three evening celebrations to be held in Central Heights MB Church. Music, drama and a multimedia production will spotlight the past, present and future of Mennonite Brethren ministries in North America. A look to the future will explore the partnership of North American MBs with the other 15 MB conferences around the world.

MBMS International, Board of Faith and Life, Board of Resource Ministries and MB Biblical Seminary are the four ministries that have served under the binational structure. Over the past three years, the General Conference has been processing the divestiture of these ministries to the two national conferences. Most or all of these ministries will continue to work under boards chosen from both countries but will report to the national conferences when the General Conference is dissolved.

Ed Balzer of Abbotsford will coordinate the programs. Larry Albright of San Jose, Calif. will lead in worship. Scriptwriters for the three evenings are Dora Dueck and Connie Epp, both of Winnipeg, and Brad Thiessen of Fresno, Calif. The planning committee for the celebrations is composed of Hildegard Bandsmer of Central Heights MB Church; Ed Balzer of South Abbotsford MB Church; and David Giesbrecht and Rudy Baerg, both of Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford; and Marvin Hein, executive secretary of the General MB Conference.

The two national Conferences will also hold their biennial meetings in daytime sessions in Abbotsford. The Canadian MB Conference convention will be held in Northview Community Church; the US MB Conference will meet in Bakerview MB Church.

 – a release

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Last modified December 7, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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