Now what? Was one of the comments at the end of Dr. Sharon Watkins sermon last Friday... and now that I'm home I'm feeling a bit of "Now what?" It was a great week. The final closing service and communion celebration was truly that... a celebration! WONDERFUL music from the Assembly Children's Choir as well as the world-traveled Indianapolis Children's Choir and the adult Assmbly Choir who sang with emmy-award winning Christian singer, Donald Lawrence and everyone was up on their feet waving their hands and clapping. Christian folk singer Carrie Newcomer shared beautiful music as well as the Assembly praise band under the wonderul, inspired and invigorating directorship of Bill Thomas. The talented Congan musician who played the Congo drum carved out of a huge log called us to worship again on Sunday and was followed by the rhythms of a Samoan praise band from a church in Indianapolis. I wanted to get a little video of one of Donald Lawrence's songs with the choir, but my camera batteries died and I didn't have replacements with me. DUH.
Connie and I left after the closing service and decided to drive straight back Sunday night. Her husband, a trucker for a major national trucking company was on his was TO Indianapolis and we were able to meet him in Bloomington, Illinois at a truck stop as he was heading south and we were heading north. Met their Spaniel, Taz, that rides along with him in the truck. Sweet, sweet dog. Got back to Vinton about midnight, by the time I unloaded my stuff from her car and loaded my own (good thing I wasn't flying and having to pay extra for extra weight for the stuff I brought home) it was 12:30 when I got on the road again for Stanhope. I got home about 3 a.m. this morning.
It's good to be home, good to see my son again, good to have Marshall back with his tail wagging that he missed me. But all the way back I was singing one of the final songs, "Revive Us" and praying that the energy I received in Indy would follow me home and revive my spirit... not just when around 6000 others praising and praying, which is easy... but when it's just me. Revive me for that which I have been called to do. Revive me from the depression and tiredness that seems to surround me in spite of my best efforts. I was revived in Indy... may God's spirit come SUDDENLY and often and zap me with a bolt of energy when I need it and for the work yet to come. I hope the "now what" is answered and I have the knowledge to hear it and the energy to do it. Revive us with your fire! Revive ME with your fire!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
SUDDENLY!!!
Suddenly there was a loud noise from God like a mighty wind!!! Suddenly the angel appeared! Suddenly the waters parted! Suddenly.... the General Assembly was revived with the spirited words of Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas of the Mississippi Blvd. Christian Church of Memphis, TN and we were shouting and crying and waving our hands and standing and shouting Amen and Hallelujah! Suddenly, without warning is how God comes into our lives. It's been a glorious day at GA!
A resolution to change how resolutions, and how many issues, can be brought before the GA was hotly debated. Some felt they were trying to allow more time to truly delve into issues. Others thought they were trying to silence some voices and 'censor' what was discussed. Another resolution regarding our outreach in friendship to the people of all nations who are challenged, enslaved, in crisis, war. To pray for them as they prayed for the U.S. in 2001 and showed us solidarity in our grief. The resolution calls for us to light candles and pray for our brothers and sisters around the world every year on September 12... the day that the world held vigils, lit candles, and publicly prayed for all who died on 9/11. We also passed a HUGE change in the Order of Ministry, allowing licensed ministers to follow an ordination track of education without going to seminary.
I finished my second day of 'going green' workshops, and have some initial ideas to bring home and information to share.... but I told them that no way no how was this Iowa girl going to tell folks to grow less corn and feed cows green grains (alfalfa, etc) not corn so there's less methane.
All topped off with an amazing, roused off of our feet worship including inspiring music from the Assembly praise band, a praise band from New York, the youth assembly choir and the adult assembly choir, AND an amazing singer from Indiana and a liturgical dancer from Chicago. And I was moved to tears when ministers were asked to stand... new ministers and retired ministers went forward and the rest stood in place and then they asked everyone to put their hand on the shoulder of a minister near them while they prayed. A laying on of hands for all.
Tomorrow I can't wait to see what will happen with the closing worship and concert that is planned! Hallelujah! Amen! SUDDENLY! Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
A resolution to change how resolutions, and how many issues, can be brought before the GA was hotly debated. Some felt they were trying to allow more time to truly delve into issues. Others thought they were trying to silence some voices and 'censor' what was discussed. Another resolution regarding our outreach in friendship to the people of all nations who are challenged, enslaved, in crisis, war. To pray for them as they prayed for the U.S. in 2001 and showed us solidarity in our grief. The resolution calls for us to light candles and pray for our brothers and sisters around the world every year on September 12... the day that the world held vigils, lit candles, and publicly prayed for all who died on 9/11. We also passed a HUGE change in the Order of Ministry, allowing licensed ministers to follow an ordination track of education without going to seminary.
I finished my second day of 'going green' workshops, and have some initial ideas to bring home and information to share.... but I told them that no way no how was this Iowa girl going to tell folks to grow less corn and feed cows green grains (alfalfa, etc) not corn so there's less methane.
All topped off with an amazing, roused off of our feet worship including inspiring music from the Assembly praise band, a praise band from New York, the youth assembly choir and the adult assembly choir, AND an amazing singer from Indiana and a liturgical dancer from Chicago. And I was moved to tears when ministers were asked to stand... new ministers and retired ministers went forward and the rest stood in place and then they asked everyone to put their hand on the shoulder of a minister near them while they prayed. A laying on of hands for all.
Tomorrow I can't wait to see what will happen with the closing worship and concert that is planned! Hallelujah! Amen! SUDDENLY! Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
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