When Wade and I read that Stassi Cramm had been called to Prophet-President, we got out the maps and started planning our next US road trip. We had a strong sense of Stassi’s calling and her message of hope plus unfinished business from the 2023 World Conference.
To be in the auditorium, experiencing the voting and cheering for Stassi as she re-entered the auditorium as our Prophet-President, was for us a thrilling moment that will live in every cell of our bodies for the rest of our lives. The Spirit of hope was indeed there and enveloped us both.
In the Temple a few nights later, the congregation stood to sing ‘The Spirit of God like a fire is burning’. I realised my earplugs were missing and I was equal parts excited and anxious. As Wade helped me up and supported me, the organ music reverberated around the Temple, and I braced as many voices became one enthusiastic, harmonious sound. I suddenly felt calm. The sound was muted. I was standing on my toes, supported under the arms. There was strength in my voice and lungs that allowed me to sing freely and completely. There was a sense of unity and connection in that moment which continued on throughout all aspects of the conference. I collapsed after the hymn, completely spent, but totally buzzing.
The timing of the conference this year meant that we were able to include a US reunion camp experience. After some research and emails to the Rocky Mountain Mission Centre, we registered for the Big Spruce Reunion in Cedaredge, Colorado.
We stepped out in faith and we were welcomed and adopted into the Rocky Mountain Mission family with open arms and bed linen. As far as Reunion experiences go, it was like revisiting past Tallebudgera and Koonjewarre camps with meal trays and ‘KP’, campfires every night, surrounded by forest and the sound of water. Watching out for a bear on his nightly wander, however, was a new experience for Wade. Wade did enough KP and other duties to cover the both of us, earning huge respect from the camp cooks and director. An amazing young lady was baptised in one of the Big Spruce creeks, and a touching memorial was held for a much-loved young man, tragically lost shortly before the camp. His memorial plaque now lies at The Point which is the Grand Mesa’s equivalent of our Tiona’s Green Cathedral. We are so grateful for the stories shared and the friendships made.
The adult class was led by guest minister, Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Centre President, Kim Naten, and was based on the Reunion material ‘Choose Hope’. Stassi’s rallying calls of ‘Hope is Here’ and ‘Onwards’ inspired others’ conference experiences, and this was also witnessed in our discussions and reflections around the themes of conflict and hope. Importantly, hope was discussed as being action towards specific outcomes. Each person gave deep thought as to how that affected them both personally and in their local congregations. The current political climate added a layer and a perspective to the discussion and materials that could have caused division and conflict, but Kim handled it with love, and the Spirit of Unity was again with us. We and our RMMC brothers and sisters left equal parts renewed and challenged in our commitment to the Pursuit of Peace and finding ways to create communities of Joy, Hope, Love and Peace in our local congregations and/or communities.
How Wade and I move ‘onwards’ after both of these experiences is now our challenge moving forwards. All I am sure of is that ‘Hope is [definitely] Here'… and bring on World Conference 2028.
Leanne and Wade Moore
