The last day of General Synod 26 was filled with . . . procedure. Here are a few last thoughts:
- Resolutions: Most of our day was spent hearing committe reports and discussing and voting on resolutions. I've not been attending as a voting delegate, but I've been fascinated watching and listening to the process. Debate has been civil and respectful and we've passed a number of significant resolutions. (A complete list is on the UCC website now -- the amended resolution text will be up soon.)
- Lynn Redgrave: (yes! the actress!) Ms. Redgrave is a cancer survivor and UCC member in Connecticut. She told us about her journey through cancer treatment and finding a spiritual home in the UCC. She challenged as she said "The point is no longer how long I live, but how I live each moment and how I reach out to others." She also made us laugh (and cringe a little) when she said, "If the UCC ran this country, we'd be OK."
- Ken Medema: I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He had us laughing, singing, shouting and crying again. I loved when he was sharing about not having CD's for sale at Synod. He told everyone to go to http://www.kenmedema.com/, that's http://www.kenmedema.com/ . . . (Last night that's the way we ended the i.ucc.org speakout. -- yes, with our website and not Ken's -- I'm glad Ken was listening and I'm happy his little homage reminded everyone not only of his website, but i.ucc as well!)
- Michigan Conference, UCC: Michigan hosts General Synod in 2009. They're invitation to us included a gift of a "Michigan Palm Pilot" to everyone. Just take your hand use it to show different places in the state of Michigan. I'm looking forward to Grand Rapids!
- Dr. Mary Mikhael: Dr. Mikhael is the president of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon. She thanked the UCC for our progressive witness but reminded us that there is still so much to do. According to Dr. Mikhael, we're "Not out of a job just yet."
It's been an uplifiting experience at (my first) General Synod. I'm looking forward to many more.
I miss Cassie, Marianne, Matthew and Andrew. I head home tomorrow.
4 comments:
no, but it is time to sleep off the weekend high from synod...
We're not out of a job, but we sure do need the rest, eh? It was great spending time with you at synod!
It was cool to meet both of you guys there. I thought about a Speakout plugging the Blog Network...
Jeff was telling me that next synod we should plan a "ucc bloggers" section too!
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