james's journal :: service inquiry program

Tue, 10 Jul 2007

Back from San Jose
I just got back from San Jose, where I had a great time at the Mennonite Church USA National Convention. I was there writing for mPress, the daily newspaper of the convention. I also gave two seminars with a mission organization on a video I did last year in South Africa, and also showed Fuerza, a documentary on immigration I edited/produced.

So, needless to say I was rather busy. A bit of what happened:

• About half of the people that others thought would make good pastors at one exhibit were women (very different from several years ago, at least where I was)
• Some speakers actually used inclusive language!
• There was a much better rounded focus for the week than in years past- in other words, social issues were talked about.
• Tired youth are still more attracted to bad theology screamed than good theology explained well
• American food doesn't sit well with my stomach, evidently
• On a story for mPress, I met a guy who honestly believed that there is no racism in America. (Slightly humorous in that he told this to a Latina Sociology Professor)
• I never got to play the Wii at Goshen College's booth.
• I'm not a fan of seven hour layovers

So that's what I've been up to. Now I have another 2 weeks here, to try to finish what I can of this video, and say goodbye to people.
Posted at 22:10 #