This morning was the 2020 meeting of the North Carolina Annual Conference. Like many things this year, it was not in person, but online. The video was “live,” but most segments were pre-recorded. I missed gathering with people. I missed eating Mexican food in Greenville. And as I listened to reports and participated in a minimal number of votes with no debate, I missed using my voice. If what we do each June is Holy Conferencing, this morning I just felt like I was a Holy Spectator.
And yet the Rev. Steve Manskar said about Holy Conferencing that it teaches us that we rely on one another in our journey of understanding our Call and our life with God. This morning I was reliant on others who created the rules, who did the work of nominations and creating the budget. And I didn’t get to speak, but I got to hear. I heard the musicians, I heard those who gave reports, I heard those who prayed over pastors moving, and I heard our Bishop preach and call us to look and ask questions about the things going on around us. I heard from others who are mourning, others who are struggling, others who are seeking justice, others who are seeking the way God calls them to use their gifts in this unique time, others who are learning to say, like Samuel, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” I’m thankful that God reminds us how reliant we are on Him, and on one another.
