Day 1 – Official Opening Day

It's been an interesting day. Tiring, but interesting. The conference finally opened in the morning allowing registration, an exhibit hall and Cokesbury book store to open! (Yes, I bought 2 books already with more to come I'm afraid!)

The Day's session began with worship and Holy Communion. Bishop Huie gave a great sermon on the Hope of Resurrection. It was poignant and pointed, a good word for the opening. A good word for anytime. There is hope in Christ, in the face of all hopelessness of the world. Christ still stands as a beacon of hope. When natural disaster, death, destruction, fear, human atrocities, etc happen in the world, Christ still stands as one who provides hope, of forgiveness, of future, of love.

We closed with Holy Communion given to the entire 6500 people by the Council of Bishops. Scattered throughout the auditorium, the bishops served all as we sang together. A heart warming moment, to begin with the prayer of unity and the act of commUnion.

 
 

Then the fun began, a 2 hour 45 minute meeting to establish the rules of conference. While interesting, it was also challenging. (and now I'm ready for bed!)

 
 

There is a hope and a positive attitude that is permeating the meetings so far. At least that's the feeling I am getting from our delegation, from many of the South Indiana group and others I've talked to. Our prayer has been to call forth the movement of the Holy Spirit and allow all delegates and leaders to be moved in the way the Spirit would move. May we not get caught up in language, in procedure, in rules of order, in untying us from the bonds of Grace. Rather, let Pentecost happen within us here.

 
 

That is our prayer. I hope it is yours as well.

More to come tomorrow.

Peace ><>
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