A NEW YEAR

The old year recedes and the new one advances quickly. Tumult and change seem overwhelming at times. Faithful living in Christ means that we are to fix our eyes on Him and not on this perishing world. BRF will continue to call the Church of the Brethren to faithfulness to Christ, and to be firm in our Biblical witness. Pray for us that we might uphold and advance the Gospel in the right spirit.

BRF ACTIVITIES FOR 2003

BRF, God willing, will maintain its Visible presence at Annual Conference and at some district conferences. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend as many of the following events as you can.

• July 6--Prayer and fasting session at Annual Conference (Sunday noon).
• July 7--BRF Luncheon at Annual Conference (Monday noon); tickets will be available at the BRF Display.
• July 7--BRF Insight Session at Annual Conference (Monday 9 PM).
• July 8--BRF Dinner Meeting at Annual Conference (Tuesday 5 PM); tickets will be available at the BRF Display; plan to get them early. The Dinner Meeting has been the highlight of Annual Conference for many a Conference goer. Other planned activities include:
• July 27-August 1--The Thirtieth Annual Brethren Bible Institute on the campus of Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA. Brochures will be available soon. Also, see the BRF Web site. June 15-22-BRF sponsored Youth Work Camp at Brooklyn, New York, with some exposure to the World Trade Center area.
• August 17-27--BVS-BRF Unit training at Camp Swatara in Bethel, PA. Volunteers are already being sought to work at the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Lewiston, Maine. Contact James F. Myer at 1-717-6265555.
• September 13--The BRF General Meeting at the Valley Pike Church of the Brethren near Maurertown, Virginia.

CONTINUED FUTURE GOALS

BRF will seek to expand the work of the Brethren Mission Fund, to organize some youth activities, and to maintain a publishing ministry. We do request your prayers and financial support. May all of us keep on working for Christ, waiting on Him, and watching for His return!

HELP STILL NEEDED IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Persons are still needed to teach English to a variety of students in the Dominican Republic's Churches of the Brethren. The Brethren Mission House has been a bright light in our work with the Dominican Brethren, and we are looking to continue its ministry. Contact James Myer.

A GROWING MAILING LIST

Incredible as it seems, some in the Church of the Brethren have not heard of the BRF. We know this by the steady and regular requests (via both regular and electronic mail) to be added to the BRF mailing list. Some have heard of the BRF, but knew little about it. The recent controversy over homosexual practice in the Church of the Brethren has led to a new appreciation of the BRF--even from our opponents. We intend to keep on commending the good and challenging the bad in the Church of the Brethren. If you know of those who might enjoy receiving the BRF WITNESS, pass a copy on to them and encourage them to request it. There is no charge or obligation. A growing number of articles from past issues of the BRF WITNESS are available on our web site at <www.brfwitness.org>.

2003 CONFERENCE IN BOISE, IDAHO

Next year's Annual Conference will be here sooner than we think, and the BRF is planning on being there as usual, Lord willing. Already several queries related to the 2002 Annual Conference actions are being processed. We urge conservative and evangelical congregations to be sure they are fully represented. Smaller, struggling congregations may have persons who will serve as delegates as part of their ministry. It is not a time to let down our guard.

--Craig Alan Myers

Alaska Anyone?

A tour of Alaska and the Yukon is being planned for July 9-22, 2003. Participants can include the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference at Boise, Idaho, on their way; or, only take the Alaska portion of the trip. The tour will include a day in Vancouver. Please write for a brochure. (James F. Myer, 234 Keener Road, Lititz, PA 17543)

--Jim & Faye Myer

• CHANGE OF ADDRESS?

It is a constant task to keep our mailing list current. You can help us:
1) Promptly report any changes in your address.
2) If there is a duplication on our mailing list, please tell us about it.
3) If you need more (or fewer) copies of the WITNESS for your congregation, let us know.
4) If you do not want to receive our brochures, we will delete your name from the list if you let us know.
5) If you know of congregations or individuals that would appreciate receiving the BRF WITNESS, don't hesitate to ask us to include them on our mailing list. We send it free of charge to all who want to read it.

If you currently get the BRF WITNESS , and want to make any changes (address updates, number of copies, deletions, etc.), please send us the address label from your mailing. This will help us serve you better.