Day 2- Let it Shine!

This morning's opening worship was again powerful and inspiring. The amount of people that turned out was incredible. After worship Bill Moyers, the morning's keynote speaker, spoke and drew much support from the large crowd. I also went to hear a panel of women theologians who spoke about peace and women's role in achieving peace. It was fascinating to hear the different perspectives from various faiths. Rabbi Naamah Kelman of Jerusalem spoke about how women were an essential part of achieving peace because of their ability to find common ground, even in the midst of turmoil, by talking about family or joining a book club. Ingrid Mattson, a Professor of Islamic Studies at Hartford University challenged that perspective when she looked at the existing female leaders in the Arab world, heads of state that were doing no more for peace than their male counterparts. She mentioned thatin Bangladesh there is a female head of state who has done little to abolish poverty while a man, Dr. Muhammad Yunus from the same area won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with micro credit and the development of the Grameen Bank and his dedication to helping impoverished women get themselves out of poverty (to learn more and see how students are trying to abolish poverty by 2025 through his ideas visit www.asap2025.org). Then the Rev. Nancy Taylor, pastor of Old South Congregational UCC in Boston, spoke about how women might have different characteristics that will help to achieve peace but both men and women need to begin listening and learning to and about other faiths and cultures in order to achieve peace.

Senator Barack Obama, a long time member of the UCC and a candidate for the US Presidency, delivered the afternoon keynote. He drew much support and even more press. He helped to build the excitement and energy that was and is present here in Hartford; his speech was followed by more synod in the city activity, and then a grand celebration of the 50th anniversary. The excitement and intensity is amazing. I'm looking forward to the rest of our adventure here.