Reconciliation is the act of reconnecting people or things in ways that they were meant to be. It requires patience; taking time to listen attentively and respectfully. Participants seek to have the truth spoken and acknowledged, as uncomfortable as that may sometimes be.
Through the ministry of reconciliation, healing and hope begins to take place as participants make this journey together as they have been called to do.
This was the underlying motivation that permeated conversations, deliberations and decisions at the 2019 ELCIC National Convention.
The atmosphere was such that voices and ideas were heard that might have remained silent or stifled in a different time in our church. While some of those views may not have had an immediate impact on what took place during the convention, they will be remembered and considered as we move forward.
The restructuring of how we hold conventions is proving to provide a vehicle that helps our decision-making to be more flexible and responsive than it had been. Delegates were able to work their way through an astounding number of important resolutions with adequate time for thoughtful discussion even though the meeting time has been compressed.
I was particularly impressed by the way the process and presentations of constitutional and bylaw changes as well as approving the audited financial statements and budget proposals unfolded (matters that have often bogged down proceedings and sometimes numbed minds like mine). Kudos to Secretary Grainger and outgoing Treasurer Day and those who helped them develop these presentations.
We came out of this convention facing a future that will continue to be uncertainand challenging with confidence that God will journey with us and guide us as we find our way forward.
Our ability to journey with those who are dying has been enhanced by actions taken by our delegates. Many of us will take advantage of opportunities not only to reimagine our church but will put our imaginations to work in ways we might not have done before.
We will engage each other in ongoing reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours. We will continue to journey with people of other denominations and faiths. We will seek to broaden our respect for LBGTQ2SIA+ persons. We will face the need to become greening faith communities.
These are some of the things that will help to shape our life together as we continue to be called to journey together in the ministry of reconciliation.
Glimpses
In Practising Our Faith, p. 9, we are reminded that miscarriage has an impact on many families that requires loving attention and compassion.
Q & A,p. 15, helps us to think about new ways people of faith need to begin to shape and tell our stories about creation.
Kenn Ward, Editor
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