Since October 5th Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata has led the people of the Desert Southwest Conference in a series of seven different Holy Huddles. Nearly five hundred people have participated in these courageous conversations as a church seeking to love like Jesus, act for justice, and unite in hope. These holy conversations remind us that when two or three are gathered, Jesus is present.
These events, framed in worship and built on six years of practicing conversations as an annual conference around challenging topics through Bishop Hoshibata’s unique Holy Huddle format, are an invitation to learning, listening, and sharing conversation. While some have been surprised that these events have not been a time of making statements, participating in rigorous debates, or voting one’s opinion about the best course of action for the Special Session of General Conference 2019 to take, these events have been a model of what Ephesians 4:1a-6 call all disciples to practice in difficult times: “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” If you have not yet had a chance to participate in one of these events, we hope you will find one near you and join in this act of conversation. Information about Special Session of General Conference 2019 and these holy huddles can be found at https://dscumc.org/news/general-conference/.
