Synod Assembly - Friday Eve
By Rev. Keith Spencer
Interesting Fact: Our bathrooms here in the hotel have scales in them.
This seems anti-intuitive: I mean, if I am on vacation, do I really want to worry about my weight? But, one surmises that they have done studies of these things and people have demanded them. Would you? I refuse to step on it in protest. And I will eat dessert in peace.
Worship.
The “Jazz” setting of Holy Communion may have been the most awesome worship experience at a Synod event, ever. Really. Yes, I used the term “awesome,” which I understand is still allowed, even for Lutherans. Capturing the improvisional feel of jazz, the service was first rate. Don’t know if the service actually exists or if the musicians are so gifted that they just wrote it themselves. Regardless, they are quite a blessing for this event. What a joy!
The Bishop’s passionate homily kept us involved (casual observance noted no bobbing heads – None!) and interested. Please note homilies for this writer are short, single focused mini-sermons – this was a fired-up Bishop preachin’ about justice – anyway – it was a powerful sermon – he even quoted two hymns, so you know that he was enjoying himself, too. I counted at least ten Lutherans in the room clapping along with one of the hymns and keeping in rhythm – so you know that spirit was moving in mysterious and exciting ways! The hymns lifted up the need for justice – we need to sing them more in our congregations - we need to more thoroughly embody them, too.
Time for Some Work.
Seats were at a premium – I heard that Synod Council was offering up their seats on Ebay. The opening scorecard for people present totaled over six hundred, with 16 voting youth and young adult delegates joining us under the new guidelines approved at last year’s assembly. They received a robust ovation. We’ll see how many more join us at tomorrow morning’s session – granted it is a wonderful start – but with something like 218 parishes in this synod I will admit I was a bit disappointed. Come on folks – send more youth and young adults!
Diane Jacobson spoke on the ELCA’s “Book of Faith” initiative.
So how many of us come to the Bible humbly, prayerfully, mindfully, attentively, and expectantly (OK, that’s a lot of adverbs, but they do make a point, don’t they?)
We read it – but how immersed are our congregations? The point was made that truly missional congregations spend most of their time in Bible study. Many of us probably do “OK,” but imagine what the Sprit could do, if we really went for it. Find out how your congregation can become a “Book of Faith Congregation.” I know that ours will.
Dinner for us was a quick trip to the
LOMF shindig – excellent as always. Sounds like they are ramping up for a
record-breaking camp summer. Don’t worry
Evening service was a healing service.
Worship continues its benchmark of excellence!
Good turn out, good message, thoughtful prayer and anointing with oil.
Prayers were personal – some folks had heavy burdens – great call for the first night by the worship planning team.
Grabbed a snack. Went back to the room and stepped on the scale. We’ll see the impact of that at breakfast.