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General Council Update Aug. 14, 2009 PDF Print E-mail

General Council Update Aug. 14, 2009

Friday, Day 6 at General Council Kelowna

Today was an incredible day. We elected a new moderator. Her name is Mardi Tindall. She was not my first choice but she came in a very close second (for me). But I know she will lead the United Church well for the next three years.

We did some churchy kind of work today. Much time was spent talking about Designated Lay Ministry. The United Church did a bad thing 3 years ago. They created a new type of minister (called Designated Lay Minister) but didn’t think about how anybody could become a Designated Lay Minister (crazy eh? Someone referred to it as the DLM fiasco). Anyway we passed a motion today that gave DLM’s a chance to remain as members of Presbytery even if they are not working (and getting paid for it) in a congregation. However the final decision (authority) rests with the Presbytery.

Today ended with us writing six-word stories about who we think the United Church is. Some of them were:
Church stands firm against the wind.
Open house needs repairs, help wanted.
Never united, but walking towards uniting.
Boring at times, but worth it. (That was from one of the youth at our table.)
Shaped by God, work in progress.
Faithful vision keepers living into hope.
Not the church we think we are.
Accept all, live faithfully, love God.
Everything is going to pot, hallelujah! (This refers to the Council theme: Down to the Potter’s house)
Gospel told, people bold, buildings sold.
Spin a rainbow, be changed always. (This is the one from Joey’s table).
Looking back, looking forward, always trying.
Church feels like mud, Potter approves.
Dying now to live for you.
The vessel is broken….who cares?

It was a fun activity. Now, I am starting to think about how I will be coming home. I am glad that I have set some time aside to do that.

I think of you constantly here because…well…we never stop talking about the congregations in our pastoral charges and so you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

God bless all.
Barbara

Pray for PEACE! Work for JUSTICE! Sing for JOY!