This weekend I spent primarily in Portland with saints from Alaska, Washington, and Oregon for the Greater Pacific Northwest (USA) Mission Center conference. The theme for the weekend was “Jesus Is Our Teacher.” Yesterday my dad and I got into the car a little after 8am PDT and headed north to the Portland Community of Christ congregation where the conference was being held. After register and spending a bit of time speaking with various members of my church family, it was time for a celebratory worship service. After the worship service, we moved into pre-legislative session where we discussed various items that were on our agenda. Primarily items relating to the budget of the Greater Pacific Northwest (USA) Mission Center.
Following that session, we had about an hour and a half lunch break. I went downstairs and ate at the SPEC fundraiser lunch and then went back up stairs and spent some time walking around, thinking, reflecting, and at times conversing with others.
At two o’clock, I headed back down stairs for the Lewis River Campground Association meeting. During the meeting, we discussed the current needs of the campground, and what is needed in order for it to remain viable. Over the course of the next few months, the board will look into various engendering firms to help us develop a master plan. In order for us to pay for this master plan, we will have to come up with funds beyond what the campground can pay for. Thus, the association will be asked this spring to “tax” itself in order to pay for the first wave of expenses related to developing this master plan.
After the association meeting I headed back upstairs for the first of two legislative sessions. During this session we approved the last conference’s minutes, received various reports and presentations and then went on to approve the budget and a resolution the related to how we as a mission center would handle net losses and gains that are occurred each year. Within minutes the budget was approved, to the surprise of Bill, our MCFO, ad many others, as in the past there have been more questions and people attempting to adjust the annual budget, but this time it just went right through. There was some discussion on the resolution, an attempt to amend it, and the resolution pasted as originally proposed and the amendment failed. We then sustained a board member to Share and Care and had a presentation on Listening Circles before the session closed and we went off for about a two-hour lunch break.
My dad and I went out and grabbed something to eat, rather than going down stairs to the dinner provided by the Singles. The chairs we had been sitting in had gotten to both my dad and me. Toward the end of the legislative session, I had started to realize I was becoming tired, and at dinner really started to feel worn out, but I wanted to stay for the concert, as did my dad. When we returned from dinner there was still about an hour before the concert and so I went in the sanctuary, and prayed and meditated for that hour, until I heard the sounds coming from the gym that indicated the concert had started.
Edith Wallace, a singer/songwriter, sang and performed several of her songs over the hour and a half concert. She was wonderful.
After the concert, we drove home, and soon after arriving home, I went to bed and got up this morning around 6:30am PST. My dad, mom, and niece left the house a bit before 8am, and headed up to Portland. From 9:30 to 10:30, we had our final legislative session in which we sustained various people in their appointed roles, and sustained the call of my friend and mentor Leon to the office of Evangelist.
After the meeting, we had a brief break and then the worship service started at 10:45. During the worship service Edith provided special ministry of music, MCFO Bishop Bill McFarlin spoke for the Disciple’s generous response, Leon was ordained, and Apostle Susan Skoor gave the morning message “Jesus Is Our Teacher.” The music was wonderful, the ordination was wonderful, and the Disciple’s Generous Response was wonderful, as was the message. The service, like the rest of the weekend was amazing, and the Spirit could truly be felt as we worshiped and fellowshipped together in community.
After heading home, stopping a few places along the way, including somewhere for lunch I am exhausted. It was a lot for me to go through with my lower than normally energy levels, and I know that the only way I did survive this wonderful weekend was by the Grace of the Almighty One and the support of heavenly angels.
I think I am going to rest for a bit, now that I have spent nearly an hour, if not more, writing this entry.
Peace be with you,
— Lyle II