I’ve done a lot of walking this week. From one end of the convention center to the other, to the train station, to the Airbnb, to the food mall (yes, that’s a thing and it is wonderful.) I’ve been averaging several miles a day alongside the notetaking, the video editing, and the staring at the conference session from the News Room… Somehow, I’ve felt more energized than I have in a long time in the midst of all that.

As Christians, we believe that God dwells within us at all times, but to feel it fully we must be aware. Awareness requires activity and activity requires a goal – at least to do more than twiddle our thumbs. The Word of God is described in scripture as alive and active, sharper than any double edged sword. (Heb. 4:12.) This Word is not just scripture, but the source of life itself – Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word. Incarnation, living, moving toward a goal – these are all actions the Spirit embodies through us.

Today’s session of the Conference had very little to it in terms of business. We had a few things to approve – mostly procedural – but the floor and the people were still active. The band which led us in opening worship was one of the best I’ve ever heard (I highly recommend watching this morning’s service even if you watch nothing else.) Tomorrow will be full from sunup to sundown, but today people had room to move around, even while doing legislative committees. In that movement there has been the opportunity to discover purpose. This, and of course, time to walk.

Many people in the Press Room where I have been living this week, are doing work here for the first time. Regardless of previous experience in Communications or Methodism, many of us have not covered a General Conference and have not spent much time together in the same room. That is rapidly changing. I find myself learning names (an accomplishment considering how forgetful I am,) and walking around to ask specific questions of people that I know, know better than me.

Annual Conferences are collaborating on projects and sharing resources where they can. Our own West Virginia Conference is working tightly with Western Pennsylvania, making sure we are doing all we can to tell the story of what God is doing at General Conference. Wandering around Charlotte and around the Convention Center, God is making sure people meet and seeing that those meetings are not just social exchanges.

My writing partner throughout this week has been the magnificent Audrey Stanton-Smith, Editor of the United Women in Faith’s Response Magazine. She attributed the success we have had in writing for Conference to “meeting the right people at the right time.” I have to agree. This has defined not only the work of covering Conference, but Conference itself.

Experts are all around me. For this I am blessed. Surprises are all around, like seeing an old friend from College at a restaurant just up the way. For this I am blessed. Stories are shared, laughter is heard, and hijinks ensue. For this. I. am. blessed.

We walk together in life. That is the substance of what I have to say today. We are never alone and life is so much better when we spend time intentionally living it together.