Fruit, bread, and nutella started my morning breakfast.
This morning worship came with songs by the Russian band once again and our message brought to us from the Philippines. Where she reminded us we are here “to make disciples of all nations.” The Cross and Flame of the United Methodist brands us and brings us unity. Just as the McDonald’s Arches you think of fast-food, but what happens when others see the cross and flame do they know what we stand for? Let us as United Methodist come together and share our connection and strength as a community of believers to the world.
The rest of the day was set aside for legislation. We discussed, debated, and listened to roughly 17 pieces of different legislation. We started after worship, took a break for lunch, and was in legislative assembly till set up for dinner at 6:00. Our legislation wasn’t always smooth but it was always respectful. As young people we quickly learned the struggles of language barriers that occur across the world. At the end of the day some legislation was passed, others failed, while some where deferred to other groups in the United Methodist Church. Time may not have always been in our favor but I feel good about the decisions we have made that will move on into the United Methodist System either at General Conference or another division.
Dinner was good food with a mix of cultures. We had hamburgers as well as a mix of pastas, salads, and desserts from all over. We ate as a community in one big room remembering our time together and building our relationships.
Following dinner we had a Culture Celebration. It was like a talent show but even better because we were able to see the styles of dance and other traditions of the cultures we have been worshiping and talking with all week. I felt like they were inviting us to share in their history as were we. When a different group was on the stage they were not the only ones dancing, as you looked around the room everyone was out of there seat doing their best to follow along. I felt and say the unity of the body.
Our closing worship ended the conference with signs of peace and affection towards each other. We thanked those who put on the conference, everyone from the translators to the planning committee. The band once again brought us together as we sang songs centering us back to Christ. Bishop Lee lead the message tonight. She summed everything up in one word ONE!! We are one family; we are all brothers and sisters in Christ; no matter what happens, who we are, or what we have done, we are all a family and accepting of all. That means just like Christ we are here to show love to everyone and bring the unity together in Christ Love.
Tonight is a bitter sweet end, we have had a long five days of Convocation and are tired but we are not ready to say goodbye to the relationships we have built in this community. However, it has come time to look back at our success this week, sightseeing in Berlin, worshiping in many cultures, understanding unity, and reviewing some legislation. It has been a successful week and tomorrow morning we take different paths back home or elsewhere. But may we remember we are still united by the Church. We are still One Church, One Body, and there is only One Lord.
Tomorrow I head with other representatives to do some sightseeing and Wesleyan tours in London for a few more days of my journey in Europe.
I ask that you are in our prayers as we travel to another country and prayers for all the delegates and their travel.
I don’t know if I will have internet in London but I will keep writing posts and update my blog the next time I get internet.
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