Off to Grand Rapids...Almost!

So, it's almost time to head off to Grand Rapids for General Synod 27. Of course, many people are already on their way. The UCCNY Bike Challenge cyclists (Michael Caine and many others) started last week. Hopefully, they've at least crossed over the Ohio border into Michigan by now. I also hope that the beautiful weather that we are experiencing in Central New York today has replaced the torrential rains of last week for them.

Geoffrey Black left for Synod today. Others are going to various Pre-Synod events. Marian Shearer is attending the GLBT Coalition event. David Felton flew out today. Most of our delegates along with Carol Giordano are flying out tomorrow. I'm driving. I'm taking out the audio/visual equipment with me. Better than renting it from our hotel.

This Synod will be a special event. We'll have the chance to vote for Geoffrey as the next General Minister and President of the UCC! Wow!

We'll celebrate those from out midst who will be lifted up as Honored Lay Women. Mona Arnold from East Side Congregational, Binghamton (Susquehanna), Dorothy Gist from St. Albans, Queens (Metro), and Jean Golden from Mountain Rise, Fairport (GVA) will be honored at one of the luncheons.

Please pray for Geoffrey, Mona, Dorothy and Jean. Also please pray for the UCCNY Delegates from the Upstate Region Association: Patty Farr and John Werley (Black River/St. Lawrence); Anne Hurd (Essex); Wayne Fuhrman, Margot Phillips and Al Twyman (HMA); Ashley Clarke, Sue Gibson and Jim Turturro (Oneida); and David Heckman, Ann Withers and Peter Wright (Susquehanna).

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On another tack here are some tidbits from various events in which I have been involved since the UCCNY Annual Meeting at Silver Bay.

First, here is a slideshow of the Annual Meeting that I've also posted on Facebook and Flowing Streams. In case you haven't seen the photos here they are:



Last Saturday folks from our churches in Ithaca, Liverpool, Phoenix, Syacuse, and Mattydale represented the New York Conference at the 2009 Pride Parade in Syracuse. The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the participants. Here are some photos from the event. (Thanks to J.K. Boodley for his photos.)



Finally, after the Annual Meeting our guests from the Evangelical Church in Hessen and Nassau visited churches in GVA, Oneida and Susquehanna for a couple of days. They all gathered at the Conference Office for lunch on June 10. Then Clare Price, David Heckman and I drove them to JFK for their flight home. Everyone reported wonderful visits and exchanges in the churches. Before they left they gathered for photos on the front steps of the Conference Office. And, they sang to us. Here are the photos of our luncheon along with the closing song.



Safe Travels and Blessings,

Rick Cowles

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

I’m discovering that I cry a lot these days. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, I don’t know. But, when I listen to certain stirring music, or watch a movie where the reconciliation of families or individuals or communities happens, or even when I’m sad, the tears flow.

On Sunday morning during the closing worship of the Conference Annual Meeting, my task was to introduce the Offering, which, as it happens immediately followed the Covenant of Release for Geoffrey, David and Michael from their work as Conference staff. I heard sniffles all around me, but tried to remain strong. I had to go “on” after all.

And so, I tried to think of different things, other than saying good bye to good friends and colleagues. My mind wandered back to the Annual Meeting in 2000, when Allen Fluent and I watched Geoffrey’s election as Conference Minister from the side of the room. Allen and I, both pastors, had also served on the Conference Executive Council. Allen had just accepted a conference ministry staff position in the Penn Central Conference. Within a year I would join our Conference Ministry Team as a fellow staff member.

Both Allen and I marveled (I with tears) at how far we had come as a conference. The struggles, conflict, hand-wrenching decisions and hoped-for visions for our life together in the New York Conference seemed to culminate in that one vote, in the standing ovation for our new Conference Minister.

Sitting in the auditorium at Silver Bay, waiting to introduce the offering, I had similar feelings: How far we have come as a Conference since 2000! Geoffrey has built a staff that respects and likes each other. Together, as a Conference, we have worked to strengthen our witness for the transformation and mission of our churches and pastoral leaders with Casting Your Nets, with Ecumenical and Global Church partnerships, mission trips, clergy retreats, and more. We purchased and funded a new Conference office. We have worked to restore a sense of mutual mission, respect and integrity.

So, yes, I also fought back the tears. I had to “do” the offering after all. And, as I walked to the center of the worship space, I remembered that God loves a cheerful giver. God takes joy when we have fun doing ministry, responding to God’s call to serve, to work for justice, to do the right thing, to BE THE CHURCH!

Praise God for the gift of joy. Praise God for the gift of wonderful colleagues. Praise God for the gift of churches, associations, and a conference that rejoices in our life together.

Blessings,

Rick Cowles

By the way here are some slides of the Annual Meeting for your viewing pleasure.