A few weeks ago, we heard the seniors of our youth group give … dare I say, their testimony … about what the church has meant to them through their years. One of the most striking things they said was that the church was their home. This is not an insignificant matter. In a society that seeks to find belonging, often in destructive ways, we have somehow managed to create a place where these teens have found a place of belonging and acceptance. Chris Carter spoke to us about how he will often be on autopilot and find himself driving into the church parking lot, wondering how he got there. I have also had many of our youth tell me about how much fun church is, and they wonder about the churches of their peers who tell them how dull and boring church is. Come to youth group on Wednesday evening and listen to how our youth are greeted – they are known by our youth leaders. They are asked how sick family members are, how their saxophone lessons are coming along, their swim meets going and so on. Some of our best "good news spreaders" are our youth and children who regularly find ways to bring their friends into the life of this church. Imagine that – teens inviting their friends to church.

As I sat through Annual Conference this week, working on this morning's sermon I found myself reflecting back on the youth of our congregation and what it means to have a place of home and belonging among God's people. In the lectionary calendar this morning is known as Trinity Sunday. I wrestle with the doctrine of a Trinitarian God, what it means to be one God, yet three. What I do find in the concept of the trinity is the idea of relationship – God's differing ways of being present and with us – God present in creation … God giving us redemption … God guiding us on the way. It's about relationships – being in a relationship with God and with God's people – and finding ways to bring that possibility to others.

You will hear reports from our lay delegates, Susan Drury and Chet Apy, about the Annual Conference sessions. This morning I would like to tell you about what brought meaning to our work this past week. Again, it is located in the context of relationship made possible because we recognize we are living in the God who loves us enough to have created us, redeem us and guide us. On Friday afternoon we set aside a large block of time to reflect and discuss the church's division on homosexuality. My roommate had been asked to speak in favor of removing restrictive language from the discipline which would allow fuller inclusion for all in the life of the church. Because of that I found myself getting to know Walter Fenton who would be speaking in favor of retaining restrictive language. The three of us prayed together, sat together and learned from one another. Only through the God who comes to be in relationship with us are such things possible. To be sure we have not reached perfection in loving relationships with God and one another. Two things at Annual Conference reminded me vividly of that. The first was something our conference preacher said. He spoke of how employees at Starbucks hated Sunday mornings because of the church people who came in … how rude and demanding they were on their way to and from church. We must learn to relate to the world as God relates to us! The second was a vivid visual reminder of our broken relationships. All through conference we sat in the presence of armed police stemming from a dispute between the Annual Conference and a local church. It was an unnerving sight to see the police standing guard over our opening communion service. And yet, even in this fracture was a glimmer of possibility as the bishop sent communion servers out to those who protested him.

It's about relationships – this morning we read the final installment in the farewell discourses of John's gospel. The opening line is: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." Jesus gives these words to the disciples knowing that they are not yet ready to face the coming days of terror. So, he gives them the promise of the Holy Spirit to continue in relationship with them … the Spirit that will guide and keep before them all that he has taught them the past three years. While there was still much to teach the disciples, his time was too short, and more over he knew they wouldn't get it yet. The gift of the Spirit is given to continue teaching and relating to them, reminding them of what it was like to walk in the presence of Christ.

We often speak of unfinished business. Jesus knows there is more to do, but it will be the presence of the Holy Spirit that will continue to keep the disciples. I am well aware of that concept as we celebrate confirmation this morning. Do these youth know enough to make this decision today? Are they old enough? What do they understand? Have we taught them enough? I echo the sentiment of Jesus in saying: "I still have many things to teach you." Yet, even as I know we have not quite done enough, I take heart in the relationships we have begun with these youth today. We can trust the continuing relationship they have found in God's presence and now trust that the Spirit will continue that guidance long after they have to show up for 9:30 confirmation class. We set them "free" this morning to continue their faith journey in a different way … knowing there will always be one more thing to teach. And we trust that the Spirit will guide them in that.

We can hope that the relationships they have developed will keep them always thirsting to be present in God's home. They have given me the gift of relationship as well. I give thanks for the contributions each has made in shaping the class.

• For Stephanie and Michelle walking together as sisters, helping out in our Sunday School program as they juggle other life responsibilities.
• For Danielle's thoughtfulness in thinking through what her commitment to the church means.
• For the friendship of Danielle and Olivia.
• For Heather's helpfulness as the class went out on their good deed missions.
• For Blair's sense of humor.
• For Peter Keller who almost always knew the answer.
• For Brad Carter always calling me to fairness.
• And for Brad Carter and Peter Roguski trying to keep up with me in WoW.
• For Matt Carter and Brad VanVelthoven … what can I say?
• And for Olga, who helped me by rolling her eyes at them.

It is about relationships … of knowing and being known in the love of God. This morning, as we celebrate, we trust that in the gift of the Spirit God is with us in the swirl of life. And we give thanks that there is always one more thing to learn about as we continue our faith journey together. What a gift we have been given! We go forth knowing that God has created all that is, and in the end there is nothing greater than God's created love which knows and claims us. In that great love we are sent out to be in relationship with one another and with the world … to follow in the example of Jesus Christ … in all things guided and empowered by the Spirit present with us.