July 2, 2010 - Thoughts from GA

I traveled yesterday from my home in Nashville to Minneapolis for the 219th General Assembly meeting of the PC(USA). Security in Nashville was unusually backed up, perhaps because of the approaching holiday weekend, but the flight went smoothly and I enjoyed looking out my window at the Mississippi River for most of the journey. As we approached Minneapolis I could clearly see why Minnesota is called the “land of ten thousand lakes.” Small and large bodies of water were everywhere with motorboats and sailboats dotting their shining surfaces.

The Minneapolis airport is impressive, open and airy with a tram to take one from concourse to concourse and, best of all, large stalls in the ladies room. Perhaps, dear reader, you are rolling your eyes now but any of you who are women know what I am talking about here. It is difficult to turn around in most airport bathroom stalls, much less handle luggage in it, too. I thought the large stalls, along with the piped in classical music, was a clue to the nature of Minneapolis and these first signs have not disappointed.

Once I claimed my baggage, the Presbyterians were easy to spot. There they were, mother and teenage daughter, smiling a welcome and saying “you bet.” In their white smocks with the Presbyterian seal on the front, they helped me find the shuttle bus which took me to my hotel downtown.

Early the next morning I was up to find a sunny, clear day. Minneapolis is easy to walk around, clean and pedestrian friendly. As I made my way to register at the convention center I found old and new friends along the way: Jerry, Donna, Terry, Ron, Amgad, Terrye, Bridget. And it was the same for everyone there, greetings going on all around. Despite our differences and the serious conversations ahead of us in the coming week, ours is a church full of affection and regard for one another. Pray for our church. We may have our differences but we love each other. Not too different from most extended families I know.