An enriching Day

You know its going to be interesting when the speaker has platted his beard with silver bits on the ends. Rudy Rasmus and his wife co-pastor a Methodist Church in Houston of 9000 members, almost a third being former homeless people. He based what he had to say on the parable of the good Samaritan and invited us to consider what happens when love crosses the road in our communities.

He also told how when he was young his most favourite place was the Houston Zoo, because only there could he drink from the same tap as white folks. He asked how it was that the Zoo could get it right and Church was not able to voice or challenge what was going on.

A challenging quote used by Rudy 

An even more challenging quote

After morning tea Grace Imathiu spoke. Her father from Kenya is a former President of the World Methodist Council. She began by saying that privilege in any kind harms both parties and reminded that Jesus could have prayed for anything --- but prayed that we would be one. She focused on the Parable of the prodigal son and reminded us that by giving the parable a title we can obscure the meaning.
It is about God. Prodigal -- means extravagant, reckless, lavish ---the way God loves. Being prodigious is only sinful when it directed to oneself. It is about God treating us like a 'son', until he remembers he is a son again. A toast to resurrection.

Grace Imathiu

In the afternoon Ted Campbell a theologian gave an excellent and courageous address. Once again emphasising the breadth of God's love. A really positive and stimulating day.

Ted Campbell