Day 4 (Cont’d) – Let it Shine!

Ken Medema opened our afternoon plenary with joyous song and praise. He had us all moving around the floor of the civic center shaking one another’s hands, rubbing each others shoulders and scratching each other’s backs. The entire process reminded me of great times singing camp songs with good friends; it certainly set an uplifting tone to begin our business.

The first resolution, regarding the Tar Creek superfund site, was put forth to the General Synod with a recommendation to adopt the resolution as it stands. With what seems to be record breaking little conversation, dialogue and debate (none) the resolution passed and we moved on to the next item of business.

We then looked at the Resolution on Climate Change. This came from the same committee and also was put forth as it stood with a recommendation for adoption. After some dialogue and debate an amendment was made to add a clause that asks materials be provided to each church that would provide information on how to make their buildings green. The resolution passed with its amendment. Although we thought we were moving along smoothly, business was drawn to a close without us moving to the second committee, which had originally been scheduled for that slot.

We did however hear a moving keynote address by Marian Right Edelman who spoke about the crisis of American children living in poverty; 9 million live without healthcare. She touched all of us here with her message. Our children are dying of curable diseases because they don’t have access to adequate healthcare coverage. I encourage you to visit www.childrensdefense.org and write your representatives and senators to encourage them to provide our children with healthcare. It’s amazing that in the richest county in the world our children are still unable to have the simple necessities.

We began our evening plenary after a dinner break. We were behind already as we again were blessed with the wonderful talents of Ken Medema and his music. We began by hearing nominations and speeches by candidates from various positions in the larger church. The only positions that were contested were voted on by ballot and that was for 2 lay persons as well as 3 clergy to serve in the national setting. The results from the elections will be announced tomorrow.
The first resolution brought to the floor during our evening plenary was the resolution on workers justice in Smithfield. This came from the committee on which I served and as I had mentioned before, we recommended that the synod adopt the resolution with the few minor language adjustments that we made. This passed after only a small amount of dialogue. However yet again, our lovely moderators called the order of the day so that we could move on.

We celebrated the service of many volunteers and staff members. We then celebrated the work and ministry of Joe Malayang, Executive Minister of the Local Church Ministries and sent our blessings with him as he enters a new phase of his life in retirement.

Afterwards, I attended a youth and young adult worship service. It was amazing to see how many youth and young adults have turned out, and how many have stayed even though most of the festivities are over. We celebrated the fact that we are all significant and imperative parts of the body of Christ and together, united, we can be one. One body to serve our God. We worship in many different ways, through dance and song, through prayer and art, each person was given the opportunity to use their gifts to be a part of the greater body.

It was an exciting time, and it’s even more exciting to know that we still have more work to do tomorrow – lots more work!