One of the highlights at the Moderators’ Conference each year is the opportunity for attendees to take time to talk with the moderator or co-moderators serving. The Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis and the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, co-moderators of the 225th General Assembly, took part in their second conference last week, once again taking questions from the audience and reflecting on the highlights of their term.
Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly answer questions Friday night at the Moderators’ Conference at the Presbyterian Center. Photo by Rick Jones.
The two began reflecting on how they came together, both agreeing it was a partnership that was meant to be.
“The chemistry with Shavon has been wonderful. Here were two strangers thrown together who share the deepest part of theological conviction. We always wind up in the place where we need to be,” said Santana-Grace. “Standing was very important to us. It was a deep, humble awareness and we promised we would be who we are. God throws us together with people we might not normally seek out and they have extraordinary gifts.”
Starling-Louis said one of the highlights for her as co-moderator has been to connect with young Presbyterian women through the Commission on the Status of Women, held at the United Nations, and to witness advocacy at work.
“Every generation has its blessing, and their faith is being lived out in how they base their time. We may not have tolerance for institutions that call themselves churches, but the love of Jesus and God is so strong,” she said. “We still use the phrase ‘church of the future.’ We are the church, every single one of us is, and we need to stay grounded and listen to each other when we set the table.”
Santana-Grace recently returned from a lengthy visit to the Pacific region, meeting with church leaders. She says she’s still “very much living the Pacific trip.”
“This was the first time a moderator went to the middle of the ocean in that region … We gathered in Hawaii for orientation, but while there, met with pastors in the region because we wanted to hear what was going on,” she said. “Many of the folks we met with are descendants of those who once lived on the islands where there was nuclear testing.”
Santana-Grace said it is important to remember the people whose lives continue to be impacted, adding that the church is working ecumenically to address the challenging issues in the region.
As the church begins a season of transition with the unification of the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency, both co-moderators said they are honored to be supportive leaders.
“Our biggest gift is being a good sibling. This is a volunteer gig, but because there’s no pay or evaluation, we can just be siblings and reflect back truths we are seeing in our system,” said Starling-Louis. “I can say here’s a hole people are falling in, what can we do to help fix that hole so that other humans won’t have to fall into the same hole? It’s not always comfortable, but to know your intention, to be a good pastoral or sibling presence, this is literally ‘Unbounded We Thrive’ [the co-moderators’ theme].”
“When something new gets tried, we need to cut each other some slack. We are in a season of great change,” added Santana-Grace. “We will try to do our best and God be with us.”
Both shared inspiration from their travels across the country.
“I’ve visited California, the North and South, and some of the things I have experienced is hopefulness and creativity that some of the presbyteries have embodied,” said Santana-Grace. “I visited Nashville and had the privilege to preach at an African American church on Women’s Day ... They were happy to have someone see them and experience their energy.”
“Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, Delaware, New England, Denver and Kansas, Nebraska and Florida,” said Starling-Louis, recalling some of the places she’s visited. “We’ve had a chance to touch the corners and middle places and there’s still more that we have to see. It is powerful to embody the love of the church in different spaces. I’ve been to South Sudan, Liberia and Ghana to bear witness and see where God is alive, and then bring that back.”
More than 130 people (in person and online) attended the Moderators’ Conference, which ended on Saturday.