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!