Pastor’s Corner: The Best Moment of General Synod

July 17, 2019

Last issue, I wrote about one of the more painful parts of June’s General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Today, I’ll tell you about my favorite moment.

It was not, I admit, anywhere on the meeting’s agenda. In fact, it didn’t happen in the plenary hall, or one of the meeting rooms, or during a workshop.

It happened in the exhibit hall.

I’d been speaking with a friend who lives at a distance (I see lots of them at Synod) when a young woman looked at me, glanced at my name tag, and burst out: “Are you Eric Anderson? I’m so glad to meet you!”

Well, I thought, I am somewhat well known in the denomination. Her enthusiasm seemed unusual, but some people are just energetic. I extended my hand and said I was glad to meet her, too.

And then she said, with a broad smile, “You’re Rebekah’s dad, aren’t you?”

Well, yes, I am.

It’s long been one of my favorite titles (it’s tied for first with “Brendan’s dad”), but I haven’t often heard it in a church setting. Thirty years in the ministry have led me to think that, well, it’s about me.

But now my daughter is discerning a call to ministry within the Church, and already asked to take leadership. She has the energy, the integrity, the insight, and the wisdom for it. All I can do is grin a delighted father’s grin.

My favorite moment at General Synod was discovering that a new generation of Church leadership is already present and valued. And yes: that among them is my remarkable daughter.

With aloha,

Pastor Eric