Lama's log

I know it was ages ago but I've had a a quick trip to Germany to squeez in.

Day three saw feed back from the racial justice issues raised and some space given over to discuss the stipend issue a little further.

The racial justice stuff was a bit disappointing. I realise the apology last November was an exceptional meeting but still...

It became obvious that in many of the associations little had been done or articulated with regard to the apology. One of the reasons for this is quite simply, how do you communicate the apology? It was exceptional. We are also now post apology so it's not a question of getting people to the point of wanting to issue anything, they are now in a place where they need to own it. I also suspect that for many it is not even a relevant issue to be discussed and this in itself is a problem. So what to do? Well Jonathan said a seminar had been given over at assembly! Yep a seminar. Thankfully council suggested that more testimony was given in large spaces so many people rather than a few would hear. I think this will be considered and done.

The small group was the same as last time. We discussed questions given to us and I was yet again in the uncomfortable position of watching while one woman failed to be able to articulate the word 'black'. Instead she looked uncomfortable for a while, stuttered while trying to make her point and then looked at the only black guy in the room and said, 'you know, people like you'. Oh please. No wonder we have issues taking this back into churches.

Yep, overall council was like the longest church meeting you've ever been to. At points I felt that there were a lot of people striving to do their very best for God. At other times there were lots of people who just loved committees making the most of their inbuilt pedant and the love of their own voice.

As for the stipend question, I think there will be a review in the light of the angst of the room. It was good to see space given for people to vent a little even though not really in line with procedure.

Overall, it was knackering but I remain having a sense that it is a place where people work out what it means to be interconnected in denomination and to follow Christ.