The Table Was Wide Enough

By Rev. Sèkinah Hamlin

N.C. Disciples clergy and Advocacy Consultant for Global Ministries Sekinah

Last week, my 12-year-old son, Jackson, and I attended the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ Youth Event in Charlotte. I arrived both hopeful and prayerful.

I am am always deeply concerned about the theologies shaping our children. They are growing up up in a society marked by erasure, hatred, and a narrow view of the world. Biblical interpretations grounded in liberation, justice, and God’s care for oppressed people are often challenged or God's for are often challenged or dismissed. At the same time, even churches and organizations that consider themselves liberal or progressive do not always offer the deep hospitality our children deserve. our children deserve.

I I wanted Jackson to to experience a Christian gathering where he would be warmly welcomed, be welcomed, deepen his faith and relationship with God, and expand his understanding of the role God is calling him to play in our global community. The Southern Conference Youth Event felt like an answer to prayer.

As a Disciples of Christ minister, I recognized something deeply familiar: the welcoming Table. For Disciples, the Lord’s Lord's Table is not a reward for people who have everything fi figured gured out. It is where Christ welcomes us, feeds us, and draws us into one community. During this event, that us into one community. During this event, that theology was not only preached. It was practiced.

Jackson noticed it, too. He was surprised and touched by how kind, mature, and helpful the young people were to someone they did not already know. He enjoyed hearing about ministries in other churches and talking with both youth and adults about the work their congregations are doing.

The relationships formed during the event are already continuing. Jackson plans to participate in the monthly virtual youth Bible study, where he will remain connected with his new friends and have opportunities to hear other youth provide leadership and even possibly himself as well. He has also been invited to spend a weekend with some of them and attend church with their families. These invitations made it clear that the welcome he received was not limited to one he was not limited to one event. It was the beginning of genuine Christian community. He is also looking forward to to returning to the Youth Event in two years.

As Advocacy Consultant for Global Ministries, I was also moved by the event's event’s ecumenical spirit. In this 30th-anniversary year of the shared Global Ministries witness of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), this gathering showed what our full-communion partnership can look like at its best: different traditions, one Christ, shared ministry, and a commitment to prepare young people to love and serve God’s whole world.

I have not stopped telling parents and youth leaders about our experience. Next time, I am determined to to bring more more Disciples—and Disciples-and some some Presbyterian Presbyterian friends—with us. us.

Southern Conference, thank you for welcoming us, making room for our children, and reminding them that they belong in the church and that God has important work for them to do.

We are hooked!