Synod president Rev. Joel Boot chose Rev. Dan Sarkipato, Classis Kalamazoo, to be this year’s sergeant-at-arms, the person responsible for shepherding delegates back into session after breaks using a large shepherd’s crook. “I look for someone big, burly, and loud to do the job,” said Boot. “Or at least loud.”
Boot chose Sarkipato because instead of saying “present” during roll call, he made a long and loud statement that showed “he was enthusiastic and glad to be here,” said Boot. “You need someone who’s slightly uninhibited to walk around with a big stick.”