We begin our final day as a Council.
The work before us seems almost insurmountable!
We are reminded of the intercultural lens that we have covenanted to use as a way to engage our work. We are invited to take some time to think about the covenant and really consider how we can live this out in the work that is before us in these last hours.
It was frustrating and demanding as we slogged through the material before us. Many voices, coming from different positions and places of understanding. Although one could feel the heaviness in the arena there was also this amazing sense that we are moving, slowly and methodically, but moving none the less. In the midst of the work and the long discussions it is sometimes hard to see and hear that, as one person named, there is great wisdom in the this room. There definitely is and for that we can give thanks!
At different times we stopped for moments of celebration. First hearing from our new family of the United Church of Christ, naming this new thing that has come to be and the possibility that is held up for both of our churches.
Then from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea. For the first time in our history we enter into recognition of Ministry with our partner churches, broadening and deepening our relationship with amazing possibilities for witness and justice making.
Having taken a time of respite over supper we returned to the court to finish the work of the Comprehensive Review that we have been diligently plodding through over the last three or so days. In fairly good order we made an omnibus motion to pass all that we covered
and with a 95% majority it was carried.
The last order of business was to hear from the Moderators Advisory Committee. The chair of the Committee shared some moments of reflection and gave thanks of the ministry of all those involved. He then thanked Gary for all of his dedication, love and care.
Gary said
“It has been a journey of joy! My beloved church, thank you. We have journeyed well together. The Spirit has held us and we have never been abandoned. We are not alone. Be brave and be gentle with each other and with yourselves.”
We then moved into our final worship together as family in this place. Rev. Jordon Cantwell was installed as the new Moderator.
Then we gathered around the table sharing in the sacrament of abundance and great joy!
GC42 – Day 7 Our Final Day
© 2015 Rev. Valerie Peyton Kingsbury
Graphics and Arrangements by: Beulah Bouzane, BCI-Esolutions.com