This past weekend, our synod held its annual assembly. Hundreds of Lutherans journeying across northwest Minnesota to a Lutheran liberal arts college in my hometown, our regional version of mecca.

Three days of electing a bishop, big meetings, theology lectures and breakout workshops.

At one of the big group gatherings late in the day Saturday, I was sitting at a table in the back of the room when I noticed a root beer barrel candy on the table. Placed there, of course, by the skilled assembly organizers who know distractions are necessary.

With no more reason than I was fidgety after two days of sitting, I grabbed the candy, unwrapped it and popped it into my mouth.

As the sugary goodness began to melt, I was instantly transported back 40-plus years to the church I grew up in. Just a

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