Week of Commitment and Joy

The first week of June, following Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, for me was a week of a variety of commitment, learning, and joy.   Spiritually uplifting and physically demanding.  Spiritually uplifting frequently comes with physically demanding.

The week started with an overnight trip to Louisville, for three days filled (7:30 AM to 9:00 PM Monday and Tuesday) with background, training, worship, and fellowship for committee and other leaders at General Assembly.   I am impressed with the varieties of gifts of those who will be helping the commissioners to discern the will of Christ for the church.

Louisville to Pendleton is not the most direct flights, similar to those from other parts of the country.  The commitment shown by those attending the sessions represent the dedication to Christ and the church of those for whom General Assembly is part of their mission to reinforce the church.  I look forward to playing a small part in helping the commissioners in their work.

After my return on Thursday morning and a few hours at my "day job," others and I traveled to Dayville for discussions with members of the Dayville Community Church session about that congregation's unique mission in the close-knit community in which they serve.  I was impressed with commitment to Christ, community, and mission.   I value the advantages of community shown by the Presbyterian system.  Unfortunately, with the distances between congregations in the presbytery and the schedule of meetings, some congregations have difficulty being as connected as other.   We need to work harder at keeping the connections.

I pray that the work of the General Assembly and the Dayville congregation continue to serve Christ in their particular ways.