Day 3 by Sapphire McKnight

The Minnesota delegates started the day early, fueled by coffee, cookies, and buckeyes,with committee meetings to discuss and improve the resolutions we will be voting on in the next couple of days. Speaking for myself, I learned so much more about the work that is set in action by each reresolution. I enjoyed hearing everyone's ideas as my committee spoke to various parts of our resolution.  There were also touching personal stories shared by those whose lives and lived ones are affected by the issue.

There was a Tutor the Tutor program in the afternoon. Rob Schindler, author of Hot Dogs and Hamburgers and volunteer at the Chicago Literacy Center, shared his story about becoming a tutor and teaching adults to read. He told us more about what everyday life is like for the 32 million people in America who cannot read. To close the session we got up and danced to "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder. I love the amount of spontaneous song and dance that takes place at synod!

Worship was preluded by an hour of praise music; including folk, a cappella, rock & roll, opera, and reggae. Bishop Dwayne Royster gave an outstanding sermon about racism and what we can and must do to "change the damn world". It made me so proud to be a part of the United Church of Christ. One of the most important things, I think, that I took away from it is that we have to do so much more to end racism, mass incarceration, police brutality, etc., towards people of color. And I know we can do the work! The UCC gives me so much faith in good people doing good things.

Minnesota Orientation by Sapphire McKnight

The orientation for the Minnesota delegates of the General Synod was a thrilling experience for me, and definitely captured my interest. I have been to Minnesota’s United Church of Christ (UCC) annual meeting before, but from what I have been told the general synod will be on an exponentially grander scale! I have yet to fully grasp the concept of a national gathering of UCC members and clergy people.

At the orientation I met just a small handful of the three-thousand-plus people who will be attending – those of us representing Minnesota congregations. We paired up to get to know each other a little bit. I spoke to a woman from southeastern Minnesota. Like me, she was raised in a conservative faith tradition that left her hating the church. We both agreed that if anyone had told us five years ago what our faith and activity in the church would be like now, we would have laughed in their faces.

I love this kind of one-on-one sharing and discussion. I only wish I could have more time for this! I love hearing about people’s life journeys. I am so excited to talk to people at the general synod and learn about their lives and their faith.

We had the opportunity to Skype the nominee for General Minister and President. He told us about his ideas for working with post-modern faith leaders and how he wants to walk the walk of the gospel of extravagant welcome by working to make the UCC reflect the diversity we advocate for.

When he was telling about his journey from training to enter the catholic priesthood (talk about coming from unexpected places!), to joining the Lutheran church, to finally becoming a UCC minister and performing the first legal same-sex marriage in Arizona, I wondered about my own calling to ministry. I was so moved by his story about clergy people of multiple faiths standing outside courthouses holding signs that read “We stand ready to marry you!” Thinking about it still gives me chills! I wonder where the social issues that are still unresolved today will be by the time I start my career – be it in the church or elsewhere – and if I will ever have the opportunity and honor to do anything comparable to that first wedding in Arizona.

Another reverend spoke to us passionately about the Israeli-Palestine conflict. It gave me perspective of just how far our church’s wider ministry can reach when we work together. We can truly change the world. Because of my experience with the smaller scale Minnesota conference, I wasn’t aware of how externally focused general synod is. Yes, there are by-laws and church politics to discuss. We are doing so much more than I imagined, though! I am so proud of how we as a faith community are working to make a positive global impact. I am so honored to be a part of this!