Church News
Compiled by Bruce Henderson
women’s participation task force
Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Jr.
As has been previously announced in New Church Life and elsewhere, a
Women’s Participation Task Force has been hard at work over the past year
exploring ways in which the General Church might draw more effectively on
the wisdom and energy that the Lord has given to women.
In June of 2017, this group completed a report of its findings and
recommendations. This report was presented to the General Church Clergy
and the General Church Board of Directors, and has since been released to the
church at large. You can access it at www.about.newchurch.org/about/reports.
general church board of directors
At the June 23-24 meetings of the General Church Board of Directors members
met with the clergy and the Academy Board of Trustees to consider the uses
of the Church and the Academy in the selection process for the next executive
bishop. The board expressed a desire to give additional input to the clergy as
part of the process. The clergy will consider if they can modify their timeline
to accommodate this change.
Bishop Brian Keith reported that the Bryn Athyn Society has graciously
issued an invitation to a General Assembly in 2020 – the 250 th anniversary
of the establishment of the New Church. We are engaging more with Bryn
Athyn College and Academy Secondary Schools graduates about connecting
with the General Church. Strategic planning is continuing, with much of the
implementation now woven into departments.
The Rev. Phil Schnarr and William Buick were reelected to the board
of New Church Challenge. Newly elected to the board were Beth Kindred
and Nina Kline.
Assistant Bishop Peter Buss Jr. reported on an episcopal visit to West
Africa, including Ghana, the Ivory Coast