by Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott, ACM for Authorization, Accountability, and Discernment
Last week, Dr. Toni, Dr. Gloria, and I attended AM21 (Authorizing Ministry for the 21st Century) to help the conference staff hone our skills to become better servant leaders. This year's gathering, themed "Unraveling for Repair," was held in Tempe, Arizona, and provided a transformative experience that challenged us to reflect on how our ministries and leadership are evolving.
Two inspiring presenters led the keynote sessions, the Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi and the Rev. Laura Everett. Dr. Lizardy-Hajbi's insights on unraveling traditional forms of religious leadership encouraged us to reimagine our roles in a dynamic and ever-changing church landscape. Meanwhile, Rev. Everett's expertise in textile repair offered profound metaphors for the careful, deliberate work of repairing and rebuilding within our communities and congregations.
We engaged in worship, provocative conversations, and peer learning throughout the conference. These sessions gave us an opportunity to share experiences, lament our challenges, and dream about what repair could look like within the United Church of Christ. Workshops focused on practical strategies for authorizing and supporting ministry in ways that reflect the UCC's commitment to A Just World for All.
Dr. Toni shared her reflections on the experience, saying, "My experience at AM21, centered around the theme 'Unraveling for Repair,' has left a lasting impact on me. The thoughtfully planned workshops and enriching conversations encouraged us to move beyond surface-level solutions and dive into deeper, more meaningful discussions and imaginings. This experience has prompted me for ongoing reflection, as it challenged us to consider the complexities of repair and transformation in ways that continue to resonate."
One of the event's highlights was the small group discussions, where we connected with judicatory staff and affiliated ministry leaders nationwide. These conversations allowed us to exchange ideas, explore innovative approaches to ministerial oversight, and develop new perspectives for tackling complex issues in our own conference.
We are energized and equipped with tools to serve our conference more effectively. We are committed to continuing to discern what needs to be unraveled and repaired in our ministries so that we can faithfully live into God's call for justice, compassion, and healing.
We look forward to sharing the insights and learnings from AM21 with all of you in the weeks ahead. Together, we can embrace the challenges and opportunities before us as we strive to build a stronger, more vibrant community of faith. Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue this important work!