Blog Post by
Ruling Elder – John Northrip
Member St. Mark Presbyterian, of DRAWP and
Presbytery Photographer of GA#223


I’ve witnessed the events of the recent past with growing dismay; not only at the shared disasters of disease and disinformation we have endured and inflicted, but as well from the sad realization that though we are all swimming in the same flood, our common future will likely be experienced from increasingly disparate points of view. So, when I recently came across a set of images that reminded me of a time before this deluge, when the tributaries of one spiritual watershed joined in a great confluence, I was delighted to find that those memories gave me hope for a better future.

In the Spring of 2018, it was my great good fortune to be a volunteer photographer for the Committee on Local Arrangement in the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy that was preparing for the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be held here in St. Louis in June of 2018.

My first few weeks were spent documenting the COLA’s work organizing the hundreds of volunteers from congregations in the Presbytery that were to make this gathering such an outstanding success.

It was, for me, a delightful time of being the “fly on the wall,” and a wonderful introduction to the congregations- urban, suburban, and rural, in both Missouri and Illinois, that make up a microcosm of the entire country.

Our family had moved to Ballwin ten years previously, and found a church home at St. Mark. I had participated in a few Presbytery meetings and activities, but this was my first time to experience the full breadth of the geography and the depth of dedication of the groups and individuals who made up Giddings-Lovejoy.

 

As the work progressed on projects being created by congregations and committees, the logistical efforts by volunteers preparing for the commissioners and representatives who would be coming to town were in full swing.

 

And included planning and preparation for activity both inside the convention center and the streets around it.

 

 

When the opening day arrived, and all the plans came together, it was clear that those months of preparation had produced something extraordinary as all the tributaries gathered at the river. When I think back on all the events of that week (the worship, celebration, music, meetings, votes on business and resolutions, and action for social justice, to name a few,) two tables exemplify the hope I gained at the time, and still feel today.

One of the two tables began as recycled pews.

To be topped with flowing quilted fabric.

Fabric flowing down to the large glass font, filled with water brought from all across the land, the centerpiece of the great hall for services, conducting business, and celebration.

The other table began as a door.

Taken down from its hinges, stripped of its lock, and covered with images of people coming together.

And was located in a quiet space, a space for prayer and meditation.

 

I think of both of these tables as prayers, one of gratitude for the communion, polity, and service I experienced at GA223, and enjoy being part of Giddings-Lovejoy. The other is a prayer for guidance in working to build a broader community, to make real the promise of the open table. I see both as examples of how we bear witness of God’s Grace, and that gives me hope, that we can be a beacon that helps every one, no matter where they find themselves in the flood, to follow a course to the truth, and the light. 

Ruling Elder – John Northrip
Member St. Mark Presbyterian, of DRAWP and
Presbytery Photographer of GA#223

 

8 Comments

  • Posted September 14, 2021 8:25 pm
    by
    Diane McCullough

    John, thank you for this beautiful remembrance of GA 223 here in St. Louis. It was a wonderful, inspiring and motivating week.

    • Posted September 19, 2021 10:49 am
      by
      John Northrip

      Thanks Diane, it was a week full of wonder, and I find inspiration every time I go back through the images and video of the events I was able to document, and motivation for our current missions, especially DRAWP!

  • Posted September 15, 2021 9:30 am
    by
    Liz Rolf Kanerva

    John, thank you for your blog. It brought back so many good memories!

    • Posted September 18, 2021 11:05 am
      by
      John Northrip

      Thanks Liz, all I did was show up and try to capture the process, and the results, of the work of countless others that now make up those great memories.

  • Posted September 16, 2021 3:14 pm
    by
    James Willock

    Thank you, John, for your wonderful remembrance and stories about GA 223, and for your dedicated work as a volunteer photographer for the Assembly. Great pictures. I loved the GA 223 hymn “Draw the Welcome Circle Wider” and its image of “doors upended serv(ing) as tables for the Eucharistic meal, combined with your pictures of the door-now-a-table painted by Marilyn Smith. Your blog brought back so many good memories being part of the COLA worship planning team along with Carol DeVaughan, Erin Counihan, Barbara Willock, David Gambrell, Susan Andrews, David Erwin, Anne Peacock, Melanie Smith, Bill Stein, Andrew Peters and others, and being part of the plenaries and worship services. Working the GA as part of the backstage crew gives you an entirely different perspective from that of a commissioner.

    Thanks again, John. Blessings

    • Posted September 18, 2021 10:46 am
      by
      John Northrip

      Thanks James for listing those for whom credit for the success of GA223 is due, I was just the lucky guy who got to wander through their work, and one of my favorite memories is, as well, being able to join in singing the hymn “Draw the Welcome Circle Wider” at the Old Des Peres Church during the Sunday church visits. I’ve got a picture of the music, I can’t seem to post it in this comment, but would be glad to e-mail it to you!

    • Posted September 19, 2021 1:23 pm
      by
      Jennifer Pitcher

      Thank you John for your wonderfully written commentary and memories from GA223! The symbolism was timely, “perfect”, and artistically creative! Your photographs added so much to all of our hard work! Amazing how that all came together. There will never be another one like St Louis and I treasure the time we had together sharing our love for the church and St Louis. Thanks John!

  • Posted September 18, 2021 10:55 am
    by
    John Northrip

    Thanks Diane, it was a week full of wonder, and I find inspiration every time I go back through the images and video of the events I was able to document, and motivation for our current missions, especially DRAWP!

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