To many it’s a symbol of God’s grace, and a sign of extravagant welcome. But sometimes the simple expression of love, faith, and respect is heard as political speech and is resisted.

A gathering of delegates and visitors, charged with building a church for the 21st century, and making the faith our own.

"Our particular expression of the faith, one that values every voice and invites all to speak what God has placed in her heart, is both one I will never take for granted and one I am proud to preside over."

Listening to the still speaking God means stepping out on faith to follow the Holy Spirit, even as she ushers in a new way of being for the Church as we know it.

Use love as your weapon in our fight for acceptance, peace, tolerance, grace, forgiveness, mercy, and justice.

Do you feed your spirit with grace, tolerance of differences, open to all other spiritual pathways that engender love of neighbor, and hospitality to the stranger?

There is a spiritual cost to war – for those who serve and those who love them. We don’t always count that cost when patriots take up arms

Do you still fully embrace the splendor of God's creation all around you? Awaken your ears, open your eyes. Take time to pause, to marvel, and give thanks.

A turning point, a transformational moment on life's journey, rife with potential and possibility. A time to reflect, give thanks, await the discoveries still to come.

Be open to your call; be free with your yes. You possess something the world is in need of.