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Conference Theme:
"From . . . , To . . ."
"Walking by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:6 & 7
(About the Logo)
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Greetings from your 2008 PSWD District Moderator. I am going to prove my faith in God and my fellow man by sending
this letter to each church in the district knowing that the pastors will be the ones receiving it. This letter
can be given to the Moderator or the Board Chair to put before the members of the church. The point of this letter
is to bring you up to date on a several important District items, and to offer to come to your church this coming
year. I am pastor of Empire Church of the Brethren as well as being the District Moderator for 2008. As pastor,
I don’t want to be gone a lot of Sundays. I already have commitments for several Sundays away from Empire.
- I am willing to come to your church for a week day meeting. Whether it be a Board Meeting, a week day gathering,
or a special time with the District Moderator.
- Bryan Boyer has resigned as our District Executive Minister. The process of replacing Bryan has begun. In the
interim, temporary assignments have been named. Richard Hart will help us out once again at the District Office.
Bill Johnson, Board Chair, will handle business items. I, John Price, will be available to pastors.
- Two rather major things happened at this year’s District Meeting in La Verne. The structure of the District
Board was changed and a Unity Statement was adopted.
(Board Structure) www.pswdcob.org/forms/pswd-constitution2007.pdf
(Interpretive Chart) www.pswdcob.org/forms/pswd-constitution2007-Chart.pdf
The District Board of Administration is now two Boards. The 23 member Policy Board defines
the District Vision by seeking the Holy Spirit through Fellowship, Worship and Prayer. The Policy Board organizes
both itself and the Executive Board, and chooses the chairs for Ministry and Stewards Commissions. The 7 member
Executive Board is the district’s legal agent, acting to implement the District Vision, to fill appointments and
unexpired terms, and to organize, oversee and dissolve commissions and task groups. They meet often to take care
of ongoing district business. This will be an exciting year to put this structure in place.
(Unity Statement) www.pswdcob.org
The Unity Statement is a commitment to work together with each other and each church body
in our district. Though we vary widely in the way we exemplify the gospel we will support each other in the effort
to be faithful to the calling of God upon each of us and each of our Churches and Fellowships.
My theme for the year is, “From . . . To . . .” based on our journey. The Scripture reference is 2 Corinthians
5:6 & 7. Walking by faith not by sight. I have become convinced that it is more important how
we walk with each other, than what we get accomplished. The world operates on the premise that the
“what” is most important. The end justifies the means. Instead, we are witnesses to the truth of the Gospel. We
are committed to continuing the Work of Jesus. Jesus came to preach the good news. The Spirit anointed Jesus to
preach good news to the poor. He was sent to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. We can do this in many different ways. Our
district voted to do this in unity between churches. Supporting each other and our varied ministries. One way of
looking at the two polls in Christianity is at one end is believing what is right and at the other end is doing
what is right. That is to say acts of service. Living by the Word or reaching out to those in need. As the famous
saying goes, we can hang together or we will hang separately. I want to help us hang together. To be a unit in
our faith while realizing and supporting the fact that we will exhibit our faith in different ways. I ask for your
prayers for the district, our churches, our ministers and staff, and myself as together we continue the work of
Jesus, faithfully, simply and together, while doing so in a peaceful manor.
God is blessing us in many ways. God is faithful to being our God, when we are faithful to being His people. He
will never forsake us if we are about His will. We should never do anything without praying first. For if God is
not with us then it is in vain. I look forward to a great year for the Pacific Southwest District of the Church
of the Brethren. I am anxious to see what I will learn as your Moderator. I am excited to walk this year with the
Lord God Almighty. At the same time I am excited to see what God is leading you and your church to do in His name
today and tomorrow. We are in the midst of a Journey. We know where we come from. We will be celebrating 300 years
of the Journey this year. But what does God have for us Brethren in the future? What will ministry look like in
20 years? Will we survive as a Denomination? The future is as bright as the promises of God. If we can walk together,
in unity, toward what God has for us to do, the future will include the Church of the Brethren even on the Pacific
Slope.
God is with us, who can prevail against us?
In hope and faith, expecting a bright future,
John Price, Moderator 2008
GlyFrm@aol.com
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About the Logo
(About the Theme)
The idea for the Logo for 2008 was originally designed by Nathan Price to represent the 300 years of faith
struggle of the Brethren in the PSWD. Moderator John Price wanted the theme to reflect the Brethren commitment
to God, Family and Neighbor. After the basic design had been sketched out it was given to Eric Davis who made
the beautiful rendition you have before you. The intent of the Logo is to show the Brethren beginning through
the Logo of Alexandra Mac with the dedication to God, Family and Others demonstrating the commitment to Continuing
the work of Jesus. It was to also show that we Brethren in the West are committed to the original vision of the
founders of the Church of the Brethren. The struggle continues to be faithful. May God grant us another 300 years,
if he tarries, to continue serving as did our Lord Jesus the Christ.
John E. Price 2008 District Moderator
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The final design was created by Eric M. Davis, an artist, graphic designer and aesthetic engineer. Eric designed
the Centered in Jesus logo for the 2006 PSWD conference, so 2007 marks his second logo design, Alone
Together with the Spirit of God. He enjoys the challenges in designing logos, graphic design, public art, or
paintings and fine art. He and his family are members of the La Verne Church of the Brethren. Eric is the youngest
son of Dorothy (Brandt) and J. Rodney Davis. Eric participates in the Sunday School Rotation Workshop, teaching
art to the children of our congregation. Examples of his art can be seen at his web site www.ericmdavis.com Davis has been strongly influenced by the native
landscape of Southern California, bringing an eye for composition to his art that captures its natural scenes and
reflects its complexity. He dynamically presents the garden, the home and other colorful vignettes. Not only limited
to floral paintings, Davis’ talent covers a broad range of subjects from still life to portraiture.
Davis’ interest in art began at an early age where he had the ability to recognize the intricate beauty and detail
found in simple plants, flowers and other elements in nature. He has since refined his skill in applying this complexity
to his work, which is expressed in his colorful bold prints. Over the years, Davis has become a seasoned artist,
experimenting with many different media. His training includes oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, graphic design,
printmaking and photography. Davis’ art has been on the pages of ARTnews. His prints and originals have recently
been used for set decoration by the entertainment industry. The list includes TV shows Will & Grace, Without
a Trace and the movie Legally Blonde II, Red, White and Blonde. Most notably, NBC’s Mister Sterling featured his
painting of an Indian chief in the script.
Davis received a degree in fine art from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and studied at the Rhode Island
School of Design(RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island. He currently lives in La Verne, California, with his wife,
Juliet, daughter Riley, and son Brandt. |
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