If you were not there last week, you missed the Big Tent event down in Atlanta, GA! This was the first time that the denomination hosted a combination of 10 seperate conferences under one roof, at the Downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel. I arrived there last Thursday and almost as soon I had to hit the ground running. GAC Executive Director Linda Valentine, Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons, Moderator Bruce and I had seperate appearances and and responsiblities at most of the conferences. I began with giving grace for the conference dinnertime meal that evening. The conference opened with a wonderful worship service with Anna Carter Florence, Associate Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary who brought us the Word of God. Later on that evening Bruce and I attended several evening hospitality events including honoring our friend and colleague Phil Tom at the PHEWA Welcoming Gathering as he was awarded the Rodney T. Martin Award for outstanding partnership with PHEWA over many years. Bruce and I also did some event video media interviews, attended the tail end of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Reception and ended up at a Twitterup which is a meeting of all who were present and are on Twitter and were twittering the Big Tent event.
On Friday morning following a powerful worship experience with Rev. Claudio Carvalhaes, Associate Professor at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, I attended two seperate events. First I attended a Missional Church workshop led by Rev. Clark Cowden, the Presbytery Executive of San Diege Presbytery and then I went to the opening plenary of the National Elders Conference in which Rodger Nishioka, Associate Professor of Christian Education at Columbia Seminary spoke on Eight significant trends that are changing the shape of ministry for the 21st century. After dinner Bruce and I went to a couple of special events; one being the retirement reception in honor of Evelyn Hwang who has worked for the denomination for 48 years (!) and another Twitterup meeting.
Saturday was the highlight of my time there as I went with the conference's Young adults on a mission trip. You can read all about our experiences with the PCUSA news article here. That evening, Bruce and I were the emcee's for the closing celebration event at nearby Centennial Park in the amphetheather. Featured were singing and dance group and we Presbyterians had a great time!
Overall, I had a great time. I thought the conference was well attended and I had the opportunity to see long-time colleagues and friends. I am hopeful that we can have this again in the future and you should plan on attending!
Comments