ourselves in relation to each other: gc 2008

I asked to serve on the GBGM legislative committee. After a day of sorting out who the leaders of subcommittees would be, and what our process would be, we dove into the work. My subcommittee has focused on a number of subjects---the Israeli-Palestinian relationship, Fair trade practices, Global debt and the year of Jubilee, HIV in Global context, etc. I have spoken twice in favor of more explicit Christian language in the larger settings, and each time this has not carried the day. There is some legislation at the nexus between the IRD and the Women's division, and this is getting nowhere in our group. I have spoken in favor of more balanced language related to Israel and the Palestinians, and this has been incorporated in our subcommittee. We will see how it goes in the whole GBGM group and in the larger setting.

Beyond the legislative work, I have enjoyed having lunch with Bishop Schnase yesterday, and Bishop McCleskey today, and also dinner one evening with Tom Albin, a friend from the Upper Room, and Tom Butcher, who directs the Path One initiative (new churches). Tomorrow we get into the larger legislative processes, especially elections of university senate and judicial council members.

Most of what we are doing is all about ourselves, in relation to each other. This overwhelming reality transcends all of the political groupings, and unfortunately does not help the church in fulfilling its mission.