Synod Assembly Day Three

Today was the last day of the Synod Assembly. Actually it was a 1/2 day since it ended at noon.

The 1/2 day consisted of a two hour business session where we passed some resolutions and conducted other business.  Everything went smoothly.  No controversies this year.

After the business was over, we had the Festive Eucharist service. Two changes from previous years. First there weren’t any ordinations and secondly it was held at the Mass Mutual Center instead of at a church.

Not having any ordinations meant that the service was shorter and less formal. We didn’t have the procession of everyone who was ordained resplendent in their robes and stoles. The service itself seemed more relaxed. Not contemporary or a praise & worship type service but easy flowing and…I guess, just less formal. That is the only way I can think to describe it.

The music was, as always, very uplifting. Even without the benefit of the acoustics that are available in a church. The choir sang beautifully and the organist did a wonderful job playing and directing the choir.

There was one thing that happened that surprised me and filled my soul (actually many things filled my soul but this was one of them). At one point during communion, the organist got up to receive the bread and wine. We had just finished singing one verse of a hymn that had five verses. At my church, 99.9% of the time, when the music stops playing, people stop singing. I say 99.9% because one time someone started singing and the rest of us followed along. Well, at this service, when the organist stopped playing at the end of the first verse, someone in the front row started the second verse. Totally spontaneously. After all, if it was planned, the choir would have started it. Immediately, everyone joined in and we sang through the next two verses a capella. It was beautiful!! All of these people lifting their voices in praise without benefit of someone leading them. Just singing. It really moved me.

I know it says in the Bible that if two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name, He will be there. But there is something so wonderful about hundreds of people gathered in His name singing, praying and worshiping as one.  It fills me with joy to think that I am part of such a wider community of believers. It is like getting a tiny taste of heaven since heaven is filled with millions of believers singing, praying and worshiping as one. What absolute pure joy and happiness that must be!

I am thinking that, if I am not picked as a representative from my church next year to go to the Assembly, I may just go as a visitor. I get so much out of it. Maybe I can get a whole group of people from my church to go as visitors. After all, someone told me that she had 16 people from her church attending at least part of the assembly this year. Wouldn’t that be grand?  To have so many other people experience this event that has strengthened and deepened my faith each year? I will have to see if that can actually come to fruition. In the mean time, I will try to share with people what a fulfilling experience the Synod Assembly is and why it means so much to me.