This Precious Day - A Prayer
O Love,
  Let me honor the gift
  Of this precious new day
  Unencumbered by rehearsals
  Of yesterday’s frustrations.
 
Rather let me receive
  Your offering in great thanksgiving
  A Eucharist of life spilling over
  Into even the simplest of things
  Bearing unexpected beauty
  Drawing me into the awe
  Of being and of being alive.
 
Yes, grant me the grace
  Of perpetual noticings
  Pausing every simple act
  Into an awareness of heart
  Expanding my vision 
  And deepening my desire
  For You alone in all things
  Recognizing Your present Love
  Urging me to notice and savor
  The good gift you are offering
  Ahead of everything I imagine
  I want or need to be full.
Yes, Love, 
  Pour this presence of You
  Into the me of You 
  That I may discover again
  The joining that is life
  Apart from which no me
  Of Thee can exist.

Grant me again the grace 
  To pause, ponder, and pray
  The prayer of thankful love
  You give to me and everyone
  Opening every tomb 
  Of yesterday’s holding
  With the promised power
  Of your resurrection renewal
  Often arriving in signs
  Quiet and light.
 
Yes, Love, let me savor
  This gift saturating everything
  And everyone all the same
  And by it, let me be changed
  Into Your deepest desire.

-DMLH, July 2021
Keynote Preacher, Rev. Dr. Imani Jones: Rev. Dr. Imani Jones is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. As one half of the “Dynamic Duo” as she and her husband, Rev. Colin Jones are fondly named, Rev. Jones is a sought after preacher with a passion and powerful gift of illuminating the relevance of the biblical narrative in a 21st century context.  A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Rev. Jones is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Princeton Theological Seminary with Bachelor of Arts, Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees, and has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Currently, Rev. Jones is the Clinical Pastoral Education Program Manager for the Chaplaincy Department at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, in Columbus, Ohio. 

Rev. Jones has a particular focus on the integration of African American voices in Clinical Pastoral Education curriculum development. She is a Board Certified Chaplain within the Association of Professional Chaplains and a Certified Educator in the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.  She and her husband, Rev. Colin Jones are the parents of Tyshon, Colin II and Dominique, and the proud pastors of Advent United Church of Christ in Columbus, OH, where the mission is to “Love God. Love People. Period.”  Through engaging in ministry “on the ground,” Rev. Imani Jones ministers to people of all ages and stages of life to be empowered and moved to action through real, relevant and radical ministry.
Families or individual adults can come to camp and stay in the Parker Ridge cabins for a self-contained experience. Come to the hills and enjoy time together without the distractions of everyday life and a much-needed change of scenery. We have approximately 160 acres for you to explore with lots of hiking trails as well as quiet areas for reflection. 

You will have a cabin, including restrooms and showers with electricity, just for your family. Families are invited to bring a cooler, crock pot or instapot, or to schedule the use of a fire circle for meals, or order pizza in town to be delivered. Fire ring rentals are available for open fire cooking as well. 

Parker Ridge Family Camp Weekends
• Dates: Weekends August, September, and the first weekend of October 
• Per weekend per cabin: $160 (two nights)
General Synod 33 has ended, but you can still take advantage of worship and learning opportunities, even if you weren't registered for General Synod. Check https://www.generalsynod.org/worship/ after July 18 to learn how to watch the inspiring worship services.

You can also make use of the many wonderful workshops being offered to General Synod registrants. Virtual workshops are included as part of the registration price for General Synod, and will be available to watch at any point during General Synod. Access to workshop videos for registered attendees will continue until August 31st. Not a registrant? General Synod recorded workshops will be available for purchase until December 31st for anyone as part of the launch of the Frontline Faith Learning platform.