Opening Worship

Our Call to Worship began,"On this blessed day in San Jose..." and indeed it is. The short walk through the park to the Art Deco Civic Auditorium was lighted by a blue sky, cooled by a pleasant breeze and brightened by the flowering branches overhead. The music was uplifting and beautiful with a choir drawn from the churches of three California Presbyteries, orchestra and organ. The sermon by outgoing Moderator Joan Gray challenged the divisiveness we Presbyterians experience and allow to harden into dislike, distrust and disunity. It was Christ who commanded us to do what is humanly impossible - to love one another as he has loved us - if we are to be Christ's followers we must seek His help and do as He commands. Communion was shared in a spirit of great fellowship. Recognition and commissioning of mission workers and military chaplains followed with one recognized, retiring mission worker being Re. Dr. Joanne Brown, a member of Pittsburgh Presbytery who served in Africa (Lesotho and Madagascar).

More work this afternoon preparing for committee and our first full committee meetings tonight - I had a partial committee meeting yesterday to review GAC and OGA audits in anticipation of their full committee receipt tomorrow.

Peace, Kears