Synod Assembly Day One

I know, I know…it has been two days since I posted. AND I didn’t post that much in May. Time seems to just get away from me as much as I would love to grab hold of it and control it. It certainly has a mind of it’s own.

But I am hoping to do better during the month of June. I thought about writing something and back-dating it to yesterday but to be honest, I was wicked busy yesterday and never had time to write. So let us start with today.

Today is the first day of the ELCA New England Synod Assembly. Once again this year I am a voting member representing my church. It is an honor and a privilege and I am pleased I can do this.

This year the Assembly is in Springfield, MA. Yes, where they had the tornado a couple of days ago. So far the only damage I have seen is a couple of very, VERY large trees torn from the ground and split apart in a park near the hotel. When I say “torn from the ground” I mean literally. The one tree was ripped from the ground so the whole root ball is exposed. And this is a very large tree (oak, I think). I would post the pictures I took but I didn’t bring the cord with me that lets me download pictures from my camera. Maybe I will get them posted later next week.

The Assembly itself is going very well. Today was reports and worship. The reports tended to be a little long and, since I am tired, my mind tended to drift. I tried knitting, playing with my computer (free WI-FI in the hall), playing with my phone and drinking ice water. I managed to make it through and caught most of what they were saying.

The worship time was inspirational! The pastor who delivered the sermon this evening was from Madison, WI. He was really good! Spoke about salt and how we are the salt of the earth. Gave me a whole new perspective on what that passage means. I also liked when he said we should close our mouths and listen. I know I tend to pray on and on and on sometimes instead of praying and then listening to God. Not all the time because I do spend a great deal of time in quiet devotion but, when I am stressed or nervous, I can ramble on to God and that is when I really should stop, shut my mouth and listen the most. Someday I hope to learn this valuable lesson. Tonight’s sermon certainly helped to drive the message home.

I guess that is all for tonight. I will try to post again tomorrow.

Keep all of us here at the assembly in your prayers that we will truly be God’s servants.

One last note:

God’s Purpose for the New England Synod:

To go where love leads

To serve where love calls

Amen!