Coming Back from CAM (the UCC Conference Annual Meeting)

I had the joy of attending the Conference Annual Meeting in Helena and came home feeling so proud to be a member of this church and denomination.  The comradery throughout the entire weekend was the highlight. The most memorable time for me was one of the breakout sessions. I had chosen to attend one on mental health. Fortunately, our facilitator did not show up and no that isn’t a typo. It was fortunate because the group of eight decided to have a deep and meaningful conversation instead of joining one of the other sessions. Among the group were two trans women, a gay man, and a woman going through a life changing crisis. The discussions were open and honest and in this time of hatred in our country, I was refreshed to sit around a table with such beautiful souls.

One of the other breakouts I attended was about the resettlement of Afghani people in Helena. I had no idea this was taking place in a town just 90 miles down the road. Since the fall of Kabul, the Helena Area Refugee Resettlement Team (HARRT) has aided 43 individuals and families to settle into their new lives in the US. The woman leading HARRT, Valerie Hellerman, is an angel on Earth. Valarie also started another non-profit called Hands on Global that sends medical teams around the world. She is heading to Ukraine in November to do wound care. Valarie is not a spring chicken and uses a cane. This made me realize it is not too late to do meaningful work in the world.

From the Thursday meet and greet mixer until the service on Sunday morning, I was filled to the brim with the glory of God and how they work wonders through members of the United Church of Christ. Business of the conference is conducted at the annual meeting, but the most important part is the renewal of friendships, creation of new relationships, and the sharing of what our motto means. Wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.  Liz Lee