“We’ll be back when the day is new…”

The words to Mr. Rogers were ringing through the hall today as the denomination was invited to Pittsburgh, PA in 2012 for celebration and action – the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). As we watched scenes from the Committee on Local Arrangements presentation and were welcomed on video by none other than the lovable mail man from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, I remembered that the 219th General Assembly was not ending. Yes we would be back in our home churches, we would be back in our own beds, we would be back to our own lives. However, something will be different. In the past nine days I have learned from the brightest and best of our denomination. I heeded the advice of and listened to the opinions of many wise voices – many being under the age of 23. I wondered why they were not jaded, why they seemed more open minded than many of the rest of us, why they had energy that sustained the rest of us through hours and hours and hours of briefings and votes. I wondered when I crossed over into the not so young category. In my early 30’s I am no longer one of them. I see their perspectives, honor their thoughts but I too have become jaded by the politics of the church. I have seen the good that can be done in the world, I believe in the faith of the Presbyterian Church and the light that we can bring to the darkness we experience each day.

It was a true blessing to see that invitation to Presbyterians everywhere to join together in Pittsburgh in Mr. Rogers’s style. The first few words of the theme song snapped me back into action. “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor?

As the presentation ended, it was a Theological Student Advisory Delegate who got the children’s theme song stuck in my head for good by reminding those near us in the section of the words Mr. Rogers ended every broadcast. I am truly grateful for his reminder. “I’ll be back when the day is new, and I’ll have more ideas for you, and you’ll have things you want to talk about, I will too.” Am I going to miss the 14 hour days, the freezing convention center and the uncomfortable chairs? No. Will I miss the gathering of the Presbyterian faithful, truly seeking to discern God’s will and further the kingdom of God on earth? Absolutely. We all need a forum, we need fellow Presbyterians to gather us in, to remind us of what is really important – God and sharing God’s love in the midst of a broken world.

I am sure that some of you have issues that were addressed at the General Assembly cause you concern. I understand that many of you feel differently than I do but I value the conversation. Because when we’re talking, we’re discerning, and we are sharing with one another in love. We all want what is best – for the church, for the congregation, for the individuals who fill our pews, for our world. So we’ll be back, when the day is new…because we are the church that can not be stopped, we are the church that can not be silenced, we are the church which can make a difference if we are just willing to come along and walk, whistle, work, and of course, talk. Do you have things you want to talk about? Talk, I’m listening…

Signing off with a smile,
Holly