West Region Conference Minister Gathering

Here is my little cabin in the woods. Three days in heaven, meeting with the Conference Ministers of the West Region.

A visitor and a 50th

What a wonderful Sabbath Day!

First, Michael Piazza, such a gift and a remarkable blessing, led worship at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix. He was amazing!

And then, as if rising to the top of that mountain top experience wasn't enough, I had the pleasure of representing the Southwest Conference at the evening celebration of Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ's 50th anniversary. In the following pictures, you see the two former pastors, Katherine Harts and Eric Elnes, announcing a blessing at the close of the servuce; all of the former Moderators who were in attendance; and the lighting of the prayer candle by Sue Jenkins, a Charter Member, Lois Bond, widow of former pastor Alan Bond, and Charlene Smallsreed Tapp, the widow of the founding pastor.



What an absolute joy this was!

Here's to their next 50 years, and the blessings that will come to them, and be offered by them.

Executive Committee

Before I showed up for the Executive Committee this morning, I drove out to visit with the pastor and members of the First Samoan Church here in Phoenix. They were vandalized two weeks ago, and today was to be a cleanup day. When they showed up this morning to continue working on the damages, they discovered they were broken into again. Busted doors, cinder walls knocked over, furniture overturned, and gang tags spray-painted on walls and doors inside and out. This is truly sad.

From there, I spent the day with the Executive Committee. We did a little business, but most of the day was spent in the early stages of our mission planning. Pictured here is Beth Mohr, member at First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque, who flew in to facilitate our discussion. I have to tell you, she is a real gift. We came a long way in a short time. We will continue the mission planning at our December Board meeting, at a January Board retreat, and again at our March Board Meeting.


Following her time with us, the Board continued its work - here they are caught up in the business of the day. All in all, a good day's work for the leaders of the Southwest Conference.

CoCAM

Our Committee on Church and Ministry met yesterday.

As you can see in this picture, they work hard.


In fact, we had a full day.

The real highlight of the day was the Ordination Exam of Theresa Blythe, member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Tucson. Here she is with Mark Clark, her In Care Advisor, just moments after being told she was approved for her Ecclesiastical Council.


This group. CoCAM, works long, hard hours and does the kind of work that keeps the church functioning well. We lift them up in prayer as they continue to serve us.

First Day Back

Refreshed from a wonderful week away, I began yesterday with an afternoon gathering at the Beatitudes Campus celebrating the gifts of our retired clergy. A good array of retired clergy from all over Arizona (having done one just two weeks prior for our New Mexico clergy) gathered for food, for fun, and for fellowship.
The Carlsons are shown here leading us in song:


And Holly is shown here giving our door prizes:



And last night I met with the Search Committee at Beatitudes. Here we are meeting in the Luther Life Center on the Campus of the Beatitudes. It was their first meeting, and we lift them up in prayer as they begin their process of discernment.

On vacation, so not much to report.

A quick getaway with Mimi to San Diego made for a nice start to a much needed week away. Back at it come Saturday, but till then enjoying a little R and R.

back after a week away...

On Saturday last, I was in Albuquerque for the retired clergy luncheon. Pictured here are Ernie Dunn:

and Olive Hinnant and Francis Rath. We are grateful to First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque for hosting us and providing the feast.


From there I went to Ghost Ranch in Abiquii, New Mexico for the clergy retreat. First, a few pix from my hikes around the spectacular grounds that are Ghost Ranch. Wow!




And now, a few pix of the clergy while on retreat:




What an amazing time this was - the spirit was alive. I am grateful for the place and the people that made this retreat a special one.