The New England Synod Assembly concluded on Saturday evening with a worship service in which we welcomed two new congregations. Sanctuary of Marshfield, MA, the first ever joint Lutheran and United Methodist congregation in the country. Grace Lutheran in Naugatuk, CT, a consolidation of two Lutheran congregations in the Naugatuk Valley.

The assembly highlight for me, was listening to our keynote presenter Molly Phinney Baskette, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Somerville, MA and author of the book, Real Good Church. She brought forward the ancient/fuutre practice of conferssion as a tool for both theological reflection as well as a public reminder that we are all broken people. The freedom people find in that acknowledgement is transformative, as well illustrated in two testimonials by Katy Roets and Pr. Ross Goodman.

We also celebrated the graduation of our School of Lay Ministry students, including graduates from our first ever Latino School of Lay Ministry.

Our theme of Holy Experimentation was lifted up in a series of You Tube videos.

You can watch the others on my You Tube Channel here