UCC General Synod -- Day 1

Whew! What a full day as we began the 26th General Synod of the United Church of Christ

Here are the highlights of the day for me:

• Feeling a bit lonely (despite a warm welcome from all the volunteers) until I saw Jeff, Carol, Jane, Bob & Joyce, Michael, Teamus, Curran, Katie . . . you get the idea -- I wasn't lonely for long!


• Meeting Andy and Kimberly in person for the first time. Andy is the coordinator of i.ucc. Kimberly is one of the bloggers. I got to spend time with them as we greeted people and talked with them about i.ucc. I love meeting new people and making new friends!


• Meeting Phil Porter (and verifying that he is the one who wrote "Let Loose the Spirit.")


• Plenary 1's affirmation of the collegium's pastoral letter. I'll call it the 'Today we call for an end to the war" letter. The conversation prior to the vote was not without disagreement, but the letter and our affirmation of it was, I believe, prophetic.


• Dinner with the Science and Technology network. We celebrated the future of science and technology in our religious imagination. We also got a very cool "laser cup" in honor of Charles Townes, UCC member and inventor of the laser!


• Rev. DaVita McCallister's electrifying sermon -- with the line,"Jesus says "yes" and "amen" when others say "no" and "I don't think so."


• Celebrating with all the new UCC church starts in the last 2 years. I got to carry a sign for Norman UCC in Norman, Oklahoma as I danced up the aisles and onto the stage.


• Celebrating with over 1000 youth and young adults at this year's synod. (there are about 8500 people in total!)

I can't wait until tomorrow!