last day

Urbana 09 - Part VI

Thursday was so busy that I didn't write a blog post about it at the time, but here are some of the highlights as I remember them now:

1. Thinking about the solidarity dinner. For Wednesday's dinner we were served a meager portion of beans, pita, and water. It was not tasty. It was not filling. It did not quench my thirst. But it was a better meal than most of the people on this planet get in a day. I've spent some time thinking about that, and I've decided that the way I approach food needs to change. There is no reason why justice and thanksgiving should not be primary in the way I eat.

2. I went to another forum on homosexuality and the church. The man who spoke had compelling and well-researched points about how barriers between the LGBT community and the church have been built. He also has some great ideas about how we can build bridges between the communities. My thoughts about the issue of homosexuality have been changing... I wish I could present these ideas to my churches, and I wish there was a place for LBTQs in the congregations I attend.

3. I spent some time this afternoon in the reflective prayer room. God cemented my vision of who I am to be, and is helping me conquer my fear of His plans. I don't have much to say publicly about this -- but it was profoundly powerful, intensely personal, and is impacting everything.

4. I found a school in Albania that needs a librarian. We'll see.

5. Tonight I shared communion with 17,000 people, then rang in the new year with the biggest party I've ever been part of. We shouted and sang songs in all kinds of languages; we danced. At midnight we were all singing "I AM REDEEMED!" at the top of our lungs. And when the folks on stage finally persuaded us to leave, we spilled out onto the streets of St. Louis, still singing. It was a parade, a spectacle, and it was fantastic.