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JennyTuTone
Posts:21
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| 06/12/2007 2:00 AM |
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I have just returned from the annual meeting of the Southeast Conference. I am a delegate from my church, and really looked forward to it this year since I knew we would have Dr. John A. Thomas in attendance. I didn't really know what to expect. I mean, after all ... the head of our church! He was slated as a speaker and presenter at the Theology Among the People graduation on Thursday evening, then on Friday, he led a leadership convocation and then keynoted the Friday evening worship service.
I had a chance to observe him up close and personal for better than 24 hours.
My friends, the man seems tireless. He is very personable, quite down to earth, and someone I found that you could address either as Dr. Thomas or John. He circulated freely among everyone, sitting with different folks at mealtimes, and was a lively conversationalist.
He also turns out to be quite a good listener. You feel, when you speak with him, that he is totally focused on you and that you are the most important person in the world AT THAT MOMENT. He leaves you feeling valued, accepted ... and loved.
How many denominations, after all, would you be able to address the earthly leader by their first name? I feel I would not be able to do that, for instance, within either the Episcopal Church USA or the Roman Catholic church. I could not imagine being able to address Katherine Jefforts-Schiori as "Katherine" or the Pope as "Benedict."
This is the difference within the UCC. And it is one that just brings alive the fact that our leaders are no better than we are, that they can draw strength from us, and that they understand the grassroots level is the backbone of the church.
Our conference minister, Dr. Timothy Downs, is just like John Thomas -- tireless, lively, engaging and able to focus completely on the person with whom he is speaking.
We also were delighted to have addressing us, Dr. Edwin Aponte, dean of Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa., and Rev. Donna Allen, who has just joined the faculty of Lancaster.
Between the three ministers, we were entertained, challenged, brought to laughter, brought to deep thought, almost any imaginable emotion you care to think of.
All in all, I hope that at least once before his third term is complete, each and every one of you has the chance to meet and talk with John Thomas. It will be time well spent. |
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Jennifer V. Spears
Lay Delegate to Southeast Conference/TAP student-coordinator
Garden of Grace UCC, Columbia, SC |
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Pastorbogy
Posts:121
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| 06/13/2007 3:43 PM |
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| One other thing about John is that if you meet him again ten years from now he will greet you as Jennifer. |
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JennyTuTone
Posts:21
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| 06/14/2007 4:06 AM |
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| I fully concur! I found John to be quite nice to be around, and I have no doubt he would remember me or anyone else even 10 years from now. |
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Jennifer V. Spears
Lay Delegate to Southeast Conference/TAP student-coordinator
Garden of Grace UCC, Columbia, SC |
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richrthr
Posts:102
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| 07/14/2007 8:40 AM |
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| Jennifer,
Thanks for these thoughts and observations. I am gratified to hear such positive reviews of the leadership of the UCC.
Much of this can be said about Rev. Dr. Timothy Downs, as well - the apple does not fall far from the tree, I'd say. A sign of a good leader is that his/her followers take their cues from his/her example.
In fact, I have not met a single person in leadership of the UCC that has not been dynamic, personable, and in-touch.
I can remember that in my Catholic church when I was a child, the priest seemed unapproachable - and was always referred to as "Father." And the Bishops, and every other leader of that organization seemed just as intimidating.
In the UCC, people don't seem so filled with self-importance - instead - they make ME feel important! |
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Richard Kiraly
Garden of Grace UCC
http://www.gogucc.com |
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