I graduated from The College of Wooster in 1985. My Independent Study research paper focused on the ecumenical movement and what it means to be a united and uniting church. Over the past 40 years of ministry there have been times when I have lost sight of the importance of the larger church as I found myself caught up in the minutia of the everyday running of a small church. We seek to recruit Sunday School teachers, staff the chicken barbecue and plan the next worship service and sometimes we forget to look beyond our own four walls. Today at General Synod 30 I was reminded of the interconnectedness of our denomination with other parts of the body of Christ from across the world. We welcomed to our meeting representatives from Zimbabwe and Korea, from Canada and India, from Germany and Mexico. Our partnership with the Disciples of Christ was evident as we celebrated the ministry of missionaries placed jointly by the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. Our mission partner from India spoke beautifully and profoundly about the ways we welcome others and his challenge to us was this: "We all know that God is still speaking…the real question is 'Are we still listening?'" May we all listen for God's voice throughout this 30th General Synod!
Rev. Dawn Garrett-Larsen (Delegate)
Rev. Dawn E. Garrett-Larsen
Pastor, Nelson Congregational Church UCC
"No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!"
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