Sunday we started the day with worship at the convention center with 7,000 to 8,000 people in a celebration that showcased Minnesota's (and the denomination's) rich culture. We celebrated a baptism (a first for a General Assembly) and the Lord's Supper. And we heard from the moderator of the 218th General Assembly, Bruce Reyes-Chow, whose term ended Saturday night. He wondered how God might move “the mountain” of the denomination, and whether members are ready to embrace that movement. “We say to a generation of people every day, by the ways that we engage in church and community, ‘I don’t care [about your needs or yearnings],’ ” Reyes-Chow said. “‘I sort of like this mountain I’m living on.’” He challenged the congregation to celebrate the ways that “God is going to surprise us.” His candor about the denomination’s future both engaged and worried the congregation.
The middle part of the day got commissioners started in their committee work. For most committees, it was a time to get to know one another, do some procedural business such as set agendas, then dismiss early.
In the evening, we all road buses to Nicollet Island for a picnic and the Red, White and BOOM! Fourth of July fireworks over the Mississippi at the Riverfront district.
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