There is something about 800+ ministers of God chanting Ani Hu that makes you think, “You know, there’s something going on here.” And having both our Travelers on stage talking about our ministry is really an experience beyond description. Nonetheless, since you probably aren’t going to be satisfied with an article that ends here, I’ll give my best shot at bringing you into the action.
Of course, since this was a meeting for ministers-only, I can’t give you the real skinny. If you’re a minister, you can get it in the archives: Check the Akashic Realm, room 307694289. For the rest of you, here’s what I think went on.
Mollie Morgan, LA Ministerial Board Chairperson was the meeting MC. After a welcome and the aforementioned chanting, she introduced the outgoing and incoming LA Board members and acknowledged all the ministers currently serving on ministerial boards. Then she asked everyone who had ever served on a ministerial board to stand and be acknowledged, and it looked to me like more than half the room stood. It was a moment for laughter and at the same time quite a profound statement of how we do serve each other.
Next came the Minister of the Year awards, presented by last year’s recipients.
(A brief digression.) If you’re not aware of the process, the award recipients from previous years gather to select the new recipients. While it might sound like a daunting task because there are so many deserving ministers, it’s actually quite simple. The group acknowledges that all 30 — 35 nominees—people nominated by ministers from around the world—deserve the award, and they acknowledge that they don’t know how to pick two from among them. So through a process of surrender (giving “up”) and consensus, Spirit selects the recipients.
Candace Semigran, one of last year’s recipients presented the first plaque.
Across The World Or In Your Own Backyard,
Your Dedication To Sharing The Work Of The Traveler,
Your Commitment And Willingness To Put Your Heart On The Line,
Your Playfulness, Caring And Unconditional Loving
Are Treasured Gifts That Have Served And Inspired Many.
You Are A True Spiritual Warrior And Our Very Own
Minister Of The Year
REVEREND STU SEMIGRAN
Baruch Bashan
Ministerial Services In Action
Conference Of Living Love
July 2, 2006
The second plaque was presented by Ray Zumwalt, the second of last year’s recipients.
Yet You Always Stand Strong As An Example For Us
Of Devotion And Dedication To God,
And To The Christ, And To The Traveler.
You Show Us The Willingness To Serve No Matter What,
And We Are Inspired To Be Better Ministers.
Because You Live The Teachings Of Soul Transcendence,
We See How To Truly Walk With The Beloved
As You Do.
As A Reflection Of The Great Love You So Generously Share With Us,
We Now Call You Forward To Be Loved.
You Are Our Traveler.
You Are Our Minister Of The Year
REVEREND JOHN MORTON
Baruch Bashan
Ministerial Services In Action
Conference of Living Love
July 2, 2006
As the appreciation for both recipients settled, Paul Kaye took the stage to talk with us about Tithing and Seeding. His theme was gratitude, both on the part of the church for those who support its good work through tithing, and also how gratitude is a part of, and reward for, both seeding and tithing. He concluded this portion of the meeting with an opportunity for those who were moved to do so, to plant a seed. This was followed by much rustling of seeding envelopes and scratching of pens. There is something very joyful about people grasping the opportunity available in seeding.
Paul invited his co-presidents, Mark Lurie and Vincent Dupont, to join him and four Service Awards were presented. These went to Laura McBride, Kathleen Safron, Robert Abbott and Steve Dreher.
The first hour of the meeting concluded with an invitation for families to attend the upcoming Family Retreat at the MSIA property near Lake Arrowhead. It was pointed out that it was not necessary to be in a nuclear family to enjoy the retreat. (It is my understanding that the only requirement for participants is that they have at some point in their lives had a mother.)
The meeting was then turned over to the Travelers, and John Morton began by sharing his own ordination blessing and the blessing that accompanied his being given the keys to ordain. Both were moving and inspiring with deep meaning for all MSIA ministers.
As John concluded this, he invited John-Roger onto the stage and for the next hour we were treated to/uplifted and awed by the Traveler’s wisdom through both J-R and John.
At the conclusion of the day, Phil Danza, who closed the Initiates Meeting made a general comment that applied to the Ministers Meeting as well. He said, essentially, this was the best Conference yet. He will get no argument from this writer on that score, concerning the Ministers Meeting portion.
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