Hosting Our Beloved Community

Hundreds of persons helped plan and implement the 12 th Joint Meeting of the New York Conference, United Church of Christ and the Northeastern Region, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) held June 11-13, 2004 at the LaGuardia Marriott "and other wonderful places". Theme of the meeting was, "Building the Beloved Community, Celebrating our Diversity and Making it Count."

James Thomas and Dorothy Gist were among those who lead the volunteers hosts.

James Thomas (JT) chaired the Joint Conference Planning Committee. Dorothy Gist chaired the Local Arrangements Sub-Committee. More than 30 persons served on JT's committee. More than 20 persons served on Dorothy's Committee.

Twenty persons served as "Annual Meeting Emissaries," visiting churches to encourage them to participate in whatever way worked for them. Twelve persons served as discernment facilitators, shaping the way our discernment on poverty was conducted and leading small dialogue groups.

Nine persons worked on special projects, including the bookshop, photography, logo design and banners. Named on the worship sub-committee were nine persons, while at least twice that many helped to implement this time to worship on Sunday morning.

Friday night, June 11, 2004, we a multi-cultural celebration of food and music.

Churches donated the use of a vans to shuttle persons between the LaGuardia Marriott and the Bowne Street Community Church and a bus to tour the city. Many churches contributed to the Friday evening multi-cultural celebration, and Corona Congregational Church hosted discernment facilitator training as well as providing willing hands to assemble packets for meeting participants.

Worship at 1:15 PM on Friday was the official opening for the meeting, but "pre-meeting" events included:

• Thursday night dinner theatre at Flushing Town Hall
• Spiritual Reflection with Barbara Essex on Friday morning
• Clergy Forum with Traci West
• Participation in the St. Albans Sandwich Ministry
• Tours of Flushing and Corona
• Workshop on the Spirit of Abundance

Following the official closing worship on Sunday morning, many enjoyed the bus tour of New York - enhanced by the bright, cool weather and the warm hospitality of the Metro Association hosts.

Reported by Lucy Werner