A relief pitcher, an Amish bench, the EPA paradox (named for Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen) and a Global Positioning System.  June Alliman Yoder and Mandy Yoder Schrock used these images and text from Psalm 121 to encourage worshipers to engage in a partnership with the Holy Spirit.

In the joint worship service on Thursday, over 6,500 adults, youth, junior youth and children filled the Nationwide Arena with their songs and conga lines.

Alliman Yoder, a retired professor at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and her daughter Yoder Schrock, who is a pastor at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Ind., shared the story of a group of sisters in Calcutta who witnessed a mother’s grief when rats quickly ate her newborn baby after the baby had died.  When they asked Mother Teresa, “Where was God?” she replied, “God was there. The question is: where were God’s people?”

Yoder Schrock responded with a question to the audience: “If God was there that day, why didn’t the Spirit make everything OK?”

Alliman Yoder described the relationship between human beings and the Holy Spirit as collaborative interaction.

“The spirit of God needs the help of human beings to accomplish God’s mission,” she said.

To demonstrate this idea, the mother-daughter duo used a four-part model.

The image of a relief pitcher was used to describe when the Holy Spirit is used as a last resort.

The title “Amish bench” is used to describe the process that Amish ministers go through before preaching.  The group of preachers decides minutes before the sermon who will deliver the message, leaving everything to the Holy Spirit.

Yoder Schrock described the EPR paradox as two particles correlated at birth, but continuing to relate no matter the distance between them.  Reversing the spin of one particle affects the spin of the other.

“There’s some form of communication in the universe that we don’t understand,” she said. “We are connected in a profound way.”

This connection could be described as the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reaching for a model easier to understand than one from quantum physics, Alliman Yoder likened the interactions between humans and the spirit as similar to a GPS.  The satellites in the heavens interact with the receiver on earth.  Despite any wrong turns the user may take, the GPS does not give up — it keeps recalculating.

“Ultimately, the spirit can guide us only if we are willing to follow its directions,” said Alliman Yoder.

Alliman Yoder stressed the importance of an elevated view of humans.  “We are just a little lower than the angels,” she said.  In that sense, our role is more important than we may often think, she said.

Ultimately, they said, the goal is to be centered in the spirit.

Yoder Schrock said, “To be centered in the spirit is to be partners with the spirit.”

Ken Medema, Trent Wagler and Ted Swartz added to the message with song and humor.

An offering was taken to support the education of pastors at Iglesia Evangelica Menonita in Fort Meyers, Fla.

Described by a worship leader as the “best kept secret of the convention,” the children’s choir, 180 kids strong, helped the audience catch the rhythm of God through interactive songs. The adult choir, directed by Hal Hess, also performed two pieces.

As Swartz concluded, it all comes down to digestion.  “Faith: chew it up, pass it on.”

Q & A with June Alliman Yoder and Mandy Yoder Schrock:

If I had to choose one person in the world to have a conversation with, it would be:

JAY: Mother Teresa and Mary Magdalene

MYS: My husband! Just kidding…Princess Diana, Michelle Obama and the biblical Lydia

My favorite quote is:

JAY: ”Too much of a good thing is wonderful!” – May West

MYS: “The human being is the sanctuary for the Holy Spirit.” — Archbishop Tutu

One thing I’ve always wanted to do, but never have is:

JAY: Visit the Terracotta Army in China.

MYS: To feel called to serve overseas. I know that it’s not what I’m meant to do, but I think it would be a great experience.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life so far is:

JAY: There are times in life when you need to focus on taking care of yourself, but it’s always important to remember that it’s not all about me.

MYS: Control what you can, but realize that some things are out of your control.

I would consider some of my role models to be:

JAY: My mother has been a major force in my life, as well as my Aunt Clysta Richard. My aunt was the first professional in the family, so she paved the way for everyone else. Also my daughter for her spiritual depth and passion for God.

MYS: Umm…I should probably say Jesus…but I would say my Mom and Janice Yordy Kauffman, among others. She modeled how to practice effective pastoring and parenting, and how to juggle the two.