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Act of Repentance stirs and challenges


by Art McClanahan
April 27, 2012
A delegate picks up and holds a stone in the center aisle during an April 27 "Act of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples" at the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.
A delegate picks up and holds a stone in the center aisle during an April 27 "Act of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples" at the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.

“An Act of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples” engaged the 2012 General Conference to remember, repent and make a commitment to an ongoing transformational relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett spoke “From the People.” Dr. George Tinker’s “word” encouraged all to make “No Apologies. Just Repent. Seriously.” The music of Marcus Briggs-Cloud was stirring. Delegates were invited to collect a rock from the symbolic river that ran along the center aisle of the plenary floor and to keep that rock as a reminder and active symbol encouraging continuing repentance.

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