There are moments when something happens that changes everything. One instant, it's the usual routine; the next instant, one's world view is irrevocably changed. In the last two years, commentators have spoken of events that have made the world more fearful. But there are also events that are transcendent, where time and space give way and a brave, beautiful image comes to light.
That's what happened during this year's Annual Meeting of The Mother Church & Conference. For three days nearly 5,000 people—not counting 2,600 computer users who listened live, and 11,000 who tuned in later—united to think and pray about how to make the world a better place, about spirituality and its ability to transform bodies and lives. Over 60 countries were represented in person and through the Internet.
Although I had heard about the preparations, I was as curious as any visitor about how it would turn out. When I walked into The Mother Church that Sunday morning and saw the huge screens showing participants in Berlin getting ready for the same service that I would be hearing—and seeing—there was a feeling of barriers breaking down. In that shining moment, we were all at one with each other in a spirit of joy and expectation.
