Conference Day 1

Arrived into the parking lot a bit after 4 pm and checked in the kits (totally forgetting the total # of each type of kit and having to guess on the form that I filled out - hope I guessed right but I believe I short changed the # of health kits!). After unloading all the kit boxes (a wonderfully dear lady with a cart helped me after noticing my 3rd trip thought the parking lot to the trailer!) and depositing the food into the food bank barrels I headed to the Scope (pausing briefly for the traffic signal and chatting with a couple from Suffolk - he wore the funniest golf pants that were the oddest colors and adored what I was wearing. Egad!).
Getting through the registration line, I browsed various exhibits (picking up helps and aides for youth ministry) and shopped at Cokesbury (and yes Crystal, I bought a Bible!). Ran into Hatsy who is selling UMW shirts and bought a pink one. Then ... 

[pause for dramatic effect]

... I heard the faint ringing of treble bells - it drew me to the floor of the Scope where a 12 member, all women (not especially young either) group of bell ringers from Trinity UMC in Petersburg were practicing a piece with seven octives of bells! Wow! I so wanted to jump onto the stage and play with them. I snapped some pics and thought of recording the rehearsal when I noted how little juice was left in the battery. Darn.
Now I'm journaling and waiting for the start of the Service of Remembrance and Holy Communion.
Hmm ... it's rather cool in here, guess no shorts and short sleeves tomorrow!

Ooh, a drama presentation at some point ... can't hear them because they don't have mics, they are just rehearsing but there are two guys, a little red wagon and boxes getting tossed all over the stage.

Oh and the worship team leader who is leading the music is the same lady who led the music at the Spiritual Life Retreat last year with her significant other (the s.o. is on the left and the worship leader is the fourth in from the left).



The message during the Service of Remembrance is given by Reverend J.P. Hong and is from Mark the end of 13 and jumps to the end of chapter 14.
 These are the highlights I pulled from his sermon:


When dealing with the death there is this fearfulness -
     - will we be united again?
     - will we be healed again?
     - will we be whole again?
And so we occupy ourselves by building walls, rarely communicating with one another.

I believe -
     - in a resurrection
     - in life
     - in an empty tomb
help my unbelief -
     - when the room is silent
     - when the one who mentored me is no longer there

I need to remember that remembering is not just remembering
     it is the power to cry and laugh,
     to hold another's hand and to walk,
     where we begin to experience the truthfulness that death is not the end.

I believe in the power of the cross
in the empty tomb ...
Jesus has gone ahead and is waiting for me!

The reading of the names of the deceased were read allowed followed by the ringing of two bells and the lighting of a candle for each. I recognized two names, Lee Roy Brown (who was once a pastor at St. Mark's) and Rex Wolfe (who was the director of VUMAC for many years).
Communion followed and the evening ended with a song that was absolutely magnificent. You Are Mine written by David Haas found in The Faith We Sing.

You Are Mine

by David Haas

I will come to you in the silence

I will lift you from all your fear

You will hear my voice, I claim my choice,

be still and know I am here.

I am hope for all who are hopeless,

I am eyes for all who long to see.

In the shadows of the night, I will be your light,

come and rest in me.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow me, I will bring you home,

I love you and you are mine.

I am strength for all the despairing,

healing for the ones who dwell in shame.

All the blind will see, the lame will all run free,

and all will know my name.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow me, I will bring you home,

I love you and you are mine.

I am the Word that leads all to freedom,

I am the peace the world cannot give.

I will call your name, embracing all your pain,

stand up, now walk, and live!

Do not be afraid, I am with you.

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow me, I will bring you home,

I love you and you are mine.