Hello from Minneapolis!

Julianne Miller-YAAD
Upon arrival in Minneapolis, I was welcomed with open arms into the beautiful (and surprisingly clean) city of Minneapolis. There are 173 YAADs, young adult advisory delegates, who were given Thursday evening to get to know each other and explore the city for ourselves. Friday-the real work began.
Orientation for YAADs began with group building activities and energizers for those of you who have participated in Triennium. Energizers are a fun, upbeat way to get the blood moving and people excited to be where we are! I’ve met young adults from all over the country: California, Alaska, Iowa, New York, Idaho, Georgia-well you get the picture! Each of us comes from different homes, different cultures, different ages, yet there is one thing that unites us, Presbyterianism.
We are all one in Christ. Unity is the ongoing theme among the youth of this general assembly. There are worries about the tough, controversial issues that face the church. We each wonder how we can accurately do God’s work, when there are no clear answers to the issues such as civil unions and marriage or peacemaking in the Middle East. In our YAAD gatherings we consistently pray for the grace to go into committees with open hearts and minds. We pray that commissioners and advisory delegates alike will be able to listen to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and not be obstructed by our personal beliefs.
There are four wonderful YAAD advisors who lead YAAD gatherings every evening-sometimes into the wee hours of the morning!- as a time to allow YAADs to converse and reflect on the day. Each time we meet they remind us that we are here to explore our own faith, and to make a voice for our personal beliefs. Their wisdom and encouragement is a blessing as I explore my personal beliefs on troubling issues, and work towards discovering God’s purpose for me at this assembly.