Could someone who went to Synod give me the highlights, as you saw them?

[Kat45]

I wanted to go but wasn't able to pull it off, so I'd appreciate hearing about it. Thanks. :-)

Edited to fix typo.

[Critters2]

1. I'll post more about this, probably tomorrow

but I must say that, for me, Leonard Pitts was a highlight. As was Lynn Redgrave. And Ken Medema was more amazing than ever!! Barack Obama didn't say anything particularly new, if you've read his books. But he is a fine orator. Peter Gomes' ideas were good, but he is such a dry speaker. John Thomas' sermon was quite good. I always like his preaching. I could have lived without Ray Kurzweil, who didn't seem to see any ethical concerns in his work to extend human life ad infinitum (What are we gonna eat, Ray?). I wish the gentleman who invented the laser had had more time to speak--he had some interesting remarks on the intersection between research and revelation. And the tributes to Scott Libbey and Everett C. Parker were wonderful. I knew Scott, so his moved me to tears. I was grateful that they honored Everett Parker while he was able to be here to see it.

And all the usual Synod moments--a huge exhibition hall (that was me at the Ministry for God's Animals booth), times to get together at seminary and other sponsored meals, lots and lots of catching up with old friends. The UCC Family Reunion. And this year was even more special, of course!

The city of Hartford did a great job of hosting. It turns out we were the largest convention they've ever hosted. You wouldn't know it by how smoothly everything went. And everyone was friendly and willing to help.

I had a great time, and will write in more detail tomorrow. I seem to have caught a nasty sore throat bug. Wonder if it's something that was passed around to all 9,000 of us!!

I noticed some of the video is up on the website. In fact, as I type this, I'm listening to the Children's Orchestra that played before Obama spoke.

Yes, I was at Synod! Ask me anything!!

[Kat45]

2. Thank you for the reply.

I wish I could have gone.

[Critters2]

3. I'm still kind of basking, and having trouble coming down from it

It was great!! ucc.org says there were 11,000 of us there. Largest convention Hartford has ever hosted. It just felt so good to be in the midst of so many like-minded people. Even the BWF and FWC people seemed on their best behavior. And it's great to see the diversity that is the UCC, coming from my nearly all-white congregation and our stodgy worship style (which I'm trying to change, slowly). Of course, having grown up in the UCC and studied at ANTS, I saw lots of old friends, some former pastors, etc. Also learned of the death of a seminary classmate from colon cancer--a guy I really respected. But, one gets that kind of news at family reunions.

There are video clips and a photo gallery at ucc.org, and you can order videos of some of the speakers. I just ordered a Leonard Pitts dvd for my dad.

[Kat45]

4. When did you study at ANTS?

I know some (UCC) folks who went there.

[Critters2]

5. Technically, 1981-1984

I took as many classes at BC as at ANTS (started out doing more academic work, before being called to ministry). After getting my degree, stayed around for another year, taking PhD classes and pondering my future. Once I really got to know the other people doing doctoral work in social ethics, I decided to go ahead and get ordained :) It was the right decision.

So, I was around the ANTS campus from January 1981 to late summer 1985. Who do you know?

[Kat45]

6. The people I know were there much later than that.

They were there in the late '90s-early '00s, though one woman went for a number of years because she was a single mother supporting her two daughters while working. (I think she'd only take a class or two at a time.) She finally got her degree then got ordained about 4 years ago or so. I don't know how long ago she started there, but it may not matter because I also don't know her maiden name. (She eventually met and married the man who is the minister at my church. She just left the church she was a minister at and I think she started a job in chaplaincy, which she loves.)