I paraphrased Psalm 121:7 as I prepared for “pilgrimage” to GA: “God guards your very life: when you leave and when you return; now and always. God guards YOUR life.” This shaped my prayer for departure. Pilgrimage suggests a journey with deep significance: perhaps a place with poignant personal memories; a place where for generations people have prayed and sought God; or not so much a place at all, but a gathering of those seeking to be faithful to God, striving together so that justice and mercy flow like a mighty stream. Everyone’s starting point and journey is different, inside – and outwardly. But there seems to be a shared anticipation and expectation that the movement will provoke change, and create new holy space for God to break into our lives afresh.
I arrived in Minneapolis still dazed by Carole’s accident, and anxious both about leaving her behind, and being able to fit in almost half way into the proceedings of the 219th GA. I took the light rail from the airport to downtown, and walked 12 blocks to my hotel. I passed the Central Lutheran Church which used its outdoor sign to WELCOME PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Below the street lamps hung PCUSA banners, and at the bottom of each banner was a local church, or a ministry such as homes for retirees or ministry to the homeless. My heart was warmed – this is not about structure, denomination, or bureaucratic organization, but about the life and ministry that flows out of our 10,000+ PCUSA congregations scattered across this great land we call home: the USA.
Soon I saw familiar faces, and was talking with old friends about the atmosphere and deliberations, worship and laughing over dinner. I haven’t a clue what votes have been taken in the many committee meetings. But I felt at home, and that there was a place for my gifts to contribute to our common work.
I called home to check on Carole, forgetting the time change. I woke her up, but was relieved to hear how well she is doing. And before retiring for the night, I wanted to “call” you via this blog to thank you for your prayers for our time together, and your trust in this, at times, cumbersome process that has served our great church since the founding of our country. Refreshed and rested, I’ll try to catch you up on votes and decisions and possible new directions that will emerge from faithful prayer and dialog as we see God’s provision for streams of living water to refresh our church, our land, our world.
Keep the faith, and let the faith keep you. Shalom, Wayne
