My time at our gathering was deep and sweet. The depth came
from our worship and delegate sessions. The worship was driven by a band of
youth and young adults that led us in powerful Spirit led songs and prayers.
There was a freedom and expression that brought me close to Jesus every time. I
shed many tears of joy with my praise.
I also found depth in our delegate sessions. We discussed
reports from Evana staff where we heard how God is moving in our network. These
reports are in the minutes that will be made available when they are received.
Then we discussed/discerned the questions of “do we need a
new confession of faith?” Since the 1995 Confession is our main teaching
document but we don’t own it-what will we do if MCUSA alters it or discontinues
it? Exploration into securing the rights to the 1995 and producing our own is
being pursued.
The final item we had was considering our attachment to
international aid and church organizations like MCC and Mennonite World
Conference. There is a wide range of opinions on this and so we spent time in
prayer and listening to the Lord and each other. This too is an on going
process of discernment.
In regards to the sweetness of this time connection to the
broader church is key for me. People that I don’t see often I can connect with.
People and organizations I don’t know I can discover in seminars, at meals or
on the playing field.
I met and played frisbee with the Little Eden kids camp
director Galen Nofziger and his son Harley, many in the Walnut Creek youth group
and others who came to join the fun. I’m still amazed at how a little round
piece of plastic and Jesus can make friends so fast.
I was totally impressed with the Rosedale International seminar I took in. They are
a sending/discipling group that I would strongly recommend to any youth or
young adults that wants a Jesus focused adventure. The stories they told made me
wish I was 19 again so I could go. Check out their website HERE or just call up Jared (614-258-4780) in short term programs and your adventure
will begin.
I counted around 30 SMCers at our sweet Sunday worship time and heard
others were there that I didn’t see-mostly because the rough count for our
worship that morning was 1000. I would also say the Sunday afternoon hymn
sing led by our own Velma S. and Steve Y. was an especially sweet time of
worship too-maybe we’ll have more than one next time!
These gathering times every other year help us remember we
are part of a larger church family. We can worship, learn, eat, pray and play
with each other and feel the love of Jesus in a big way when we do. I was glad
to be there and hope you will join us next time.
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