Today there was bunches of events throughout the city. I spent most of my time at workshops and worship. Many people here look to have gotten some sun out on the river. There was kite flying, service projects, concerts and other performances. I missed most of that, but people are in a relaxed, spirit filled, refreshed mood after a good day.
I started with our Massachusetts Conference morning caucus. 6:30 AM… At least they provide coffee and breakfast. Not much to discuss yet, as we have not started our committee reports, but we did continue the breakdown of Single Governance. I keep thinking this will get repetitive at some point because I have heard the story a lot of times, but every time we talk about it I get more nuance and insight. I know I have mentioned this topic a bunch and I promise I will go into it for one of these posts, but I am still wrapping my own head around it.
I then went to morning worship, which was great. Bigger then morning prayer services at FCS, but still a great way to ease into the day. This was followed by a presentation about the new Prayer and Praise song book. Branden, of FCS, has worked very hard with a team of people to get this hymnal out and the music sounds great. A lot of singing to start the day.
Following a nice lunch with Melissa (she says hello), my dad, Branden, Sonia, and Jason, I went to 2 workshops. One on making the work (committees and stuff) of the church a full opportunity for individuals to grow spiritually, and another dealing with Church multipying, where one vital church “Births” a new church. 5 Year plan anyone?
In both of these workshops it was mentioned that as a church we need to move from our head to our hearts. One leader pointed out that in the UCC we do a great job of intellectual theology, which is really great, and perhaps better then other churches. He suggested that we could work on keeping that thought process and moving more into a personal experience of a developing spirituality. I think we do a pretty good job of this balance at FCS, but more faith and spiritual development never hurts.
Following my dinner I am off to a celebration of the work of Rev. John Thomas. Looking forward to it. If there is one thing that General Synod seems to do well it is CELEBRATE!
OK, so I am new to blogging. No time to learn like jumping in feet first. Let’s see how it goes.
Today was the first official day of General Synod 27, in Grand Rapids MI. The city is great and the weather is very good. It seems really hot after coming form Boston’s cold rainy version of Summer. In reality I think I will not get to see much of the city as I will be in the very nice and seemingly newish DeVos Place. Melissa swam in lake MI today and says it is beautiful. We learned today that we, the General Synod of the UCC is the largest conference, at 4000 strong, EVER in Grand Rapids. We also got welcomed to the city by the mayor who is also an ordained UCC minister. Cool.
The day started slow for me breakfast with Melissa and my dad, Rich. I had a meeting to be trained on being a teller (Vote Counter), a big honor I am told, and then had the opportunity to give blood. I got my sticker then it was off to business.
Hearings about the Constitution and By-Law changes, and the single governance issue were next. This single governance thing will be big and I am sure I will post more later. We then started our first Plenary Session. Highlights included an inspiring speech from Stephen Sterner, mentioning a bunch of great stuff about developing leadership in our churches and bringing “Young People” to the church.
Final Session of the day had a good introduction to Geoffrey Black, the nominee for General Minister and President. He seems really great for the position. Thoughtful, friendly, and a talented leader
This was all followed by our opening worship. It is too late and I am too tired to put into words how exciting, moving, deep and… just wow, the preaching of Rev. Otis Moss III is. He is the pastor at Trinity, UCC in Chicago. This is the UCC church of recent news about a certain president and his former pastor. It was really moving to hear about the support the UCC gave to this church during the past year, and the vitality this church gives right back. Wow, When the video of this is available I will try to post it here, and you can hope to get a piece of the energy that there was amongst 4000 UCCers.
OK, I have to get up early tomorrow for our Mass Conference caucus, so I will sign off for now. All in all I think this is more blow by blow then you will want, but I am still learning. Bless you all.
