I can vaguely remember, from my childhood, large district meetings that felt more like family reunions than business sessions, as people ventured up to the colorful panorama of the New England autumns. I am not certain that these memories are true but am reminded of them after this year’s Eastern Region biennial convention. We met together June 24-26 at beautiful Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center.

Our first goal was to have people attend, and we ended up having representation from every single Eastern Region church, stretching from Florida to Ohio to Road Island. Our second goal was to have an event that spurred on in the minds of the people and congregations in the east the idea that we are one region. As such, we are in a sense one large church, serving together throughout a massive geographical area. And that is exactly what happened. There was such a strong sense of community and unity that we can now fully begin to bite into the vision that God has for us jointly as a Region.

It was such a blessing to also partner together with Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, as they held their annual meeting at the same time. This partnership not only provided more opportunity for delegates but also, when combined, brought an even larger mass of God’s children together for worship.

On Saturday evening we all gathered together and joyfully affirmed the call of our Regional Pastor Warren Geraghty as he was installed to that position. We want to give a special thanks also to Rev. Matthew Rogness, Dr. David Veum, Rev. Stan Olsen, and Rev. Steve Brue for joining us and giving reports from our larger CLB ministries.

Roger Viksnes is Regional Chairman for the CLB Eastern Region

The first Central Region Biennial Convention took place on June 24-26 at Heartwood Conference Center, near Trego, Wisconsin. With about 190 people registered (including 45 children), we gathered around the theme, “Connected.”

Friday evening Kevin Olson spoke on John 15:1-8 (“Connected to Christ, by his Word, to Bear Fruit”). Dr. Gene Boe taught three sessions on evangelism. One of them was titled, “The Church’s Four ‘E’s: Evangelize, Establish, Edify, and Equip.” A panel of three followed up by sharing how they have seen this process worked out in their respective churches. We divided into groups, according to regional clusters, to discuss and plan ways to support each other, reach our neighbors for Christ, plant new churches, and accomplish new cluster ministries.

On Saturday, the CLB Women’s Ministries–Central Region met for reports and business. After some time to enjoy the conference center, we conducted the Central Region Business meeting. After a delicious dinner, we met again for worship, with Brad Pribbenow preaching on John 17:1-19, “Connected, Protected, and Perfected.” The convention ended with Sunday morning worship with President Joel Egge speaking from John 17:20-26 on the theme, “So the World Might Believe.”

The Bethany LBC worship team from Colfax, Wisconsin led us in worship for each session. Many volunteers provided child care and activities for the Kids’ Klub Program. The fellowship was wonderful – giving us all a chance to mingle and get to know people from other churches. There were many who had never attended a Lutheran Brethren convention before. All in all, the convention was deemed a great success! There seemed to be an overwhelming sentiment that the Heartwood venue was perfect for our first Central Region Biennial Convention. And we all left with great anticipation of our next convention two years from now.

Rev. Joel Nordtvedt is Regional Pastor for the CLB Central Region

It had already been a great week of learning and fellowship at the Pacific North Bible Camp at Warm Beach, but when Saturday rolled around it was time for the first Pacific North Biennial meeting.

The business session was held in the morning led by Regional Chairman Larry Fransson, from 10:15 a.m. to noon following the regularly scheduled morning Bible study. Then after lunch there were five seminars presented: “A Testimony of God’s Grace” by CLB President Joel Egge; “Reaching the World on our Doorstep: International Students and Immigrants” by Joel Nordtvedt; “Reaching Out: Motorcycles, Wild Game Dinners and Backyard BBQs” by Gary Witkop; “Elder and Pastor Training” by Steve Paulson; and “Recharge – Renew – Refresh: A Women’s Ministries Roundtable” by Ruth Vallevik.

The business session included reports, elections and adoption of a budget. Of particular interest in the business session were updates from the two churches receiving subsidy from the Region. Both reported that the Lord was clearly at work in their ministries, while at the same time there were definite financial challenges for them as a result of the economic downturn. Also of interest was the report of how God is working among the young adults of the Region, and subsequently a budget line item was added to support this work. The seminars in the afternoon were both well received and well attended, and there was a great sense of anticipation for what God will be doing throughout the Region in the ensuing two years. All in all, it was a great start for the first Pacific North Regional Biennial meeting.

Rev. Stan Olsen is Regional Pastor for the CLB Pacific Region

The Women’s Ministries National Conference was held this year in conjunction with the Eastern Region Convention, Saturday, June 25, 2011. “Unfolding Grace,” the Conference theme, continued to unfold throughout the weekend.

Our keynote address this year was given by a mother-daughter team of Cindy Geraghty, wife of Regional Pastor Warren Geraghty, and daughters Ellen Geraghty and Anne Weed. In a powerful presentation, all three unfolded God’s grace to us, challenging us to be vessels of God’s grace to those around us.

Breakout sessions gave opportunities to learn in smaller venues twice during the day from the following speakers: Lecia Grandstaff – Grace for Unity in Ministry, Kristina Grandstaff – Reaching Out with Grace, Annie Kitchin – Transforming Grace, Ellen Geraghty – Growing into Grace, and Lil Foss – Grace Under Pressure.

In the session Unfolded Grace we learned that because of generous April giving, we were within $300 of making our budget. We watched a slide presentation of completed projects and a glimpse of projects for next year: 1) Focus on Pastors’ Wives and 2) Continuing Projects. (Details at www.wmclb.com)

In addition to the Conference on June 25, WMCLB also sponsored additional opportunities during the Eastern Regional Convention weekend:

1. Friday, June 24, during the Hands of Grace day, a group of women painted two youth rooms at Brooklyn’s 59th Street Church.
2. Saturday, June 25, a “teen track” was provided for several girls who attended the Conference with their mothers.
3. Sunday, June 26, after the Regional worship service at Tuscarora, women toured New York City, including a Broadway play – some extending their stay to include sightseeing from Monday through Tuesday morning.

2012 Annual Conference will be in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, during the August 2-5 National Biennial Convention of the CLB.

Cheryl Olsen is Information Coordinator for Women’s Ministries of the CLB.

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