wfn.org | Grand River rises to receive UCC General Synod 27 visitors

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Grand River rises to receive General Synod 27 visitors

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> June 26, 2009

When word went out last year that the General Synod 27 theme would be
"Immerse Yourself," the Grand River apparently got the memo. Recent
heavy rains added to already-soggy soil and have significantly raised
the river's level, accelerating its push past DeVos Place, the primary
venue of this year's Synod.

Glances out any westward-facing window at DeVos Place have prompted
comments about the rambunctious river and the partial submergence of
the walkway that runs next to it.

According to a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources in Plainwell, Mich., the rate this week has been nearly five
times greater than normal. In a recent five-day period, the river rose
six feet, increasing its flow from 2,500 cubic feet per second to 12,000  cfs.

"The ground has saturated for a good part of the growing season," said
Scott Hanshue, Fisheries Management Biologist with the DNR. "It's
showing signs (Friday) of going back down."

Not, however, quickly enough for the Rev. David Schoen, UCC Minister
and Team Leader of Congregational Vitality and the Discipleship
Ministry Team. Schoen had agreed earlier to baptism by immersion into
the river to help kick off "River City Saturday." But now? well, not so  much.

"I'm not going in there," said Schoen Friday morning, smiling and
shaking his head. "I would try to part it before I jumped in it." A
bucket of baptismal water will likely be used instead, he added.