What a time we had

The tent is folded. The out-of-town Presbyterians have returned to their homes.

But what a time we had.

Over 1,400 people participated in the Big Tent, a unique event in which ten Presbyterian conferences happened at the same time and in the same place – June 11-13 in Atlanta. More than 100 people registered for the Peacemaking Conference sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

It is difficult to say exactly how many people participated in the Peacemaking Conference. The planners envisioned a Big Tent in which participants would sample elements of each of the conferences. Under the Peacemaking Conference flap of the tent, that vision became a reality. People who had never been to a Peacemaking Conference came to one or more of the events; peacemakers sampled other venues. Old friends met; new friendships were forged.

At the closing event in Centennial Park, participants in the Peacemaking Conference provided the opportunity for individuals to make Red Hands to protest the use of children as soldiers in too many places around God's world.

The Big Tent had been described as a Presbyterian family reunion. And in many ways it was.

To be continued . . .