25 Jun WMF Recognition and Other Info about the National Conference

Here is some information about the upcoming US National Conference, July 12-15 in Lancaster, Pa.

Women’s Missionary Fellowship Recognition
On Friday night, a ten minute video will be shown to recognize the role of the Women’s Missionary Fellowship throughout our history. The WMF is being discontinued as an official organization, but Global Ministries wants to honor it’s enormous contributions over the years to United Brethren missions.

Historical Tours
On Thursday and Friday (July 13 and 14), shuttle buses will take people to either two or four sites of historical significance to the United Brethren church. The tours are free, but you will need a ticket. Tickets will be available at the conference registration table.

• Isaac Long’s Barn. This barn, built during the 1750s, is where it all began—the place where William Otterbein and Martin Boehm met and began working together.
• Boehm’s Chapel. Martin Boehm built this church on his own property, overlooking the Boehm homestead. The gravesites of Martin and Eva Boehm are located here.
• Byerland Mennonite Church. This is Martin Boehm’s home congregation.
• First Reformed Church. This was William Otterbein’s charge when he started working with Boehm.

A morning option will accommodate local UB churches that want to send their constituents.

You will have 11 opportunities to take a two-hour tour of Boehm’s Chapel and Isaac Long’s Barn. Here are the departure times from the convention center:

• Thursday: 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm.
• Friday: 10:00 am, 10:15 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 1:15 pm, 3:30 pm, 3:45 pm.

On Friday afternoon, there will be a four-hour tour of all four sites—Long’s Barn, Boehm’s chapel, Byerland Mennonite Church, and First Reformed Church. It departs from the convention center at 1:00 p.m.

Charter buses will provide transportation. You may bring food or drink with you on the bus.

Thursday Delegate Breakfast
Churches have registered their ministerial and lay delegates. If you need to make a change regarding the personnel attending the business session, please contact Marci Hammel at marci@ub.org or (888-622-3019, ext. 308) as soon as possible.

All ministerial and lay delegates and advisory members are required to attend the breakfast at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 13. The breakfast is being sponsored by Global Ministries, which will be charged for the meal whether you attend or not. Please attend at 8:00 for the breakfast and presentation. We appreciateGlobal Ministries providing this meal as a start to the day’s Business session.

Friday Retiree Breakfast
A breakfast for retired ministers, spouses, and widows will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13. This breakfast is by reservation only. A limited number of sets are still available. Contact Judy Dyer at judy@ub.org or by phone (888-622-3019, ext. 313).

Thursday Morning Women’s Excursions
Three excursions are planned for Thursday morning for women who are not participating in the Business session: the Tabernacle Reproduction, the Tanger Outlet Mall, and a Walking Tour of downtown Lancaster. Descriptions of the excursions are here.

The morning starts at 8:00 am. Women will meet for breakfast ($5 ticket required) and devotions by Christy Cabe. Buses leave for the Tabernacle Reproduction and Tanger Outlets excursions at 9:00 am, and the Walking Tour starts at 10:00 am.