Wrapping It Up

Today was the final day of conference. It is always a bit of a challenge to check out of the hotel and attend the last morning activities. I arrived in time to hear the moderator speak and see the  consecration of next year's moderator and moderator elect.

The preacher was Suely Inhauser of Brazil.

I kissed my sister good-bye as she headed for the airport. Then I headed out in search of food. If you are ever in Charlotte, NC I can recommend the fried green tomatoes and crab cakes stack at the Mimosa Grill!

Then to the airport for my trip home. The Charlotte airport was filled with Brethren. I had great conversations with people as we unpacked this year's experience. Mary Kay and I were on the same flights home. It was good to be with her. Her daughter picked us up at the airport. Bryan was at LAX dropping off Matt who is on his way to Senegal!  I am so glad to be home.

Business at Conference

I still was not feeling great on Tuesday so I got out of the breakfast meeting I was supposed to attend at 6:45 am.  I made it to the Convention Center by 8:30 am because Katrina was planning to speak at the microphone concerning the amendment on Equitable Representation on the M&M Board.  This amendment would have further reduced the representation of West Coast Brethren. I checked in with Katrina and she was ready.  But things had changed overnight.  The Moderator called for more table talk and when people lined up at the microphones Katrina was no longer first.  Several speeches ahead of her were against the amendment (which was also her opinion) so the moderator said he was looking for speeches in favor.  Katrina never got to speak....but the amendment did fail.

I think the thing that has most surprised me about this conference is the lack of vitriolic speeches and the mood of the business.  The business has been peaceful, respectful and thoughtful....at least from my vantage point.  A statement against drone warfare passed and the query on Scriptural Authority was answered by reminding us of our 1979 paper on the subject.  I was grateful for the process.

BMC hosted a worship service in the late afternoon to recognize 10 new Churches of the Brethren that have joined SCN.  

The preacher was Christy Dowdy and her sermon was excellent.  The service ended with communion. I was so deeply moved by the journey we have been on and the welcome to the table that I couldn't stop crying.  The fact that I was sharing this with my sister made me even more emotional.

After the service I hurried back to the BMC booth to staff it until worship began.  I find the booth to be a place of welcome for me.  The evening service was a dialogue sermon between a conservative and a progressive in the church.  Can we stay together as a church?

Lazy Monday

I woke up feeling even worse.  I went to a breakfast meeting and when I opened my mouth to talk I realized just how bad I sounded.  But I had some responsibilities so I headed over to the convention center after the meeting.  Morning business was mostly preliminary stuff. Lunch was the Womaen's Caucus luncheon.  It was very well done.  I stopped at first aid hoping for some help with the way I was feeling.  The worker told me he could take my blood pressure or give me a bandaid.  So I decided that the best medicine would be sleep. I spent the rest of the day taking care of my body....and my soul. At 9 pm I went to the insight session on the On Earth Peace inclusion statement.  The conversation was very respectful.

New Sunday Schedule

Annual conference this year tried out a new model.  Business was delayed a full day to have us worship together, pray together, and spend time in spiritual workshops.  The day began with a worship service.  The three point sermon was preached by Phillip Yancey around the theme of grace and safety in the church.  After worship I attended the workshop led by Shawn Kirchner on music and prayer.  Shawn's workshop took place on the stage so that he could have a piano.  His workshop was packed.    Extra chairs needed to be brought in.  Still people were standing, sitting on the floor and some couldn't find a place on the stage and sat below on the main floor.  It was a deeply worshipful hour.

For lunch I attended the University of La Verne Alumni luncheon.  I always enjoy this lunch and learn new things about my alma mater.  I am also grateful that the president of the university comes to Annual Conference.

We had another worship service in the afternoon.  The service was a three point sermon by Mark Yaconelli on prayer.  He urged us to begin by slowing down. After the service, my sister and I were scheduled to staff the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests booth -- only the second year BMC has had a booth in the exhibit hall.  The booth this year portrays the rapid growth in SCN churches and is sandwiched between Womaen's Caucus and New Community Project.

Each SCN church is represented by a candle.

The Womaen's Caucus booth is always filled with good people.

I skipped out of the evening "concert of prayer". The choir tour schedule has caught up with me and I am not feeling well.