Tentative:
72nd Convention
July 22-24, 2027
Camp Allen, Navasota
UNITY OF THE BRETHREN
71st Convention
Camp Allen, Navasota
* Congratulations to our New Synodical Officers. An updated list with contact information will be posted soon!
- Rev. Mike Groseclose was elected President.
* Many bylaw amendments were passed at convention and were sent to congregations for referendum. All referendums were passed. By-laws will be updated soon, but refer to the summaries below for changes. ​
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED BY-LAW CHANGES
These proposals were presented at convention. Those that passed will be sent to individual congreagtions for referendum.
Changes regarding the Brethren Journal-
The proposal is to eliminate the Brethren Journal. It is no longer being published, and will not resume publication. This does not eliminate the distribution of information, rather it changes the means by which information is distributed and available. All official record keeping is done by the secretary of the denomination. Records will be available through the Unity of the Brethren Secretary and the Unity website. It is suggested that PDF versions of official documentation and records be made available through those outlets. The website can also be a source of publication for devotions, etc. (PASSED)
Changes regarding the Board of Christian Education-
The proposal is to eliminate the Board of Christian Education. With the dissolution of the Sunday School Union (in year?) and local congregations independently organizing and implementing their own curriculums, there has been no responsibility or 'workings' of the Board of Christian Education. No direction or responsibility has been provided for this board in the past four years. The board has been obsolete and as such, it is recommended that it is eliminated. (PASSED)
Changes regarding the Board of Home Missions and Board of Foreign Missions-
The proposal is to combine the home mission board and foreign mission board into one Board of Missions. The reason is for functionality and streamlining. It also makes the 1st Vice President of the Synodical Executive Board the chairman of the Board of Missions, with the other 5 members being appointed by the synodical committee. (PASSED)
Changes regarding Convention Delegates
The proposal is to change the number of delegates sent to convention by each congregation to ONE. (Currently congregations may send more than one delegate based on their membership numbers.) (FAILED)
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Changes regarding Referendum-
The proposal is to only allow congregations who are represented (either by synodical representative or delegate) at the convention to have voting privileges for referendum. The reason is that so that congregations can be well-informed on referendum issues before voting (no convention representation means that those congregations have not been involved in the discussions preceding referendum and therefore are not informed on the issues). (PASSED)
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Changes regarding the Synodical Committee-
The first proposal is to amend the by-laws regarding the executive board of the denomination in order to allow two laypersons from one congregation to be appointed the executive committee. Currently, there can only be one person from any congregation. (PASSED)
The second proposal is an additional statement to clarify that if a congregation is not represented at convention, they are still eligible to elect/appoint a synodical representative. (PASSED)
Approving the General Manager position (PASSED).
Youth Coordinator position to move to the auspices of the Board of Trustees (PASSED).
Allowing Alcohol on camp premises for private rentals (FAILED).
Allowing alcohol for use in religious ceremonies, not to exceed one gallon in volume. (PASSED).
Allowing alcohol in the private residence of the General Manager and Caretaker (PASSED).
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