A Full Day in Tucson

On a warm summer day, I jumped in the car early to beat the traffic out of Phoenix (no luck, even at 6:30am it was heavy) and headed south to Tucson.

I was able to spend a little time with Virginia Bergfahl, who is recovering from back surgery and will use the coming days for some serious rehab. We continue to lift her up in prayer.

From there I went and spent an enjoyable morning and lunch with Lee Milligan, pastor at Church of the Painted Hills. You can see from the picture what a gorgeous setting they have for their church. Lee has a great spirit about him, and I enjoyed very much our conversation together. I look forward to being in worship with him and the friends and members of Painted Hills - he tells me their choir is among the best, and their choir director is the reason for that.

I left there to meet Randy Mayer, pastor at church of the Good Shepherd in Sahaurita, at the Epic Cafe in Tucson. That has become my new favorite spot in Tucson - a little cafe/bistro where one can spend a few lazy hours drinking the caffeinated beverage of choice, reading a good book, logging on to the interent, or - as Randy and I would do - engage in conversation. We talked about the work, the vision, and the purpose of our Growth and Development Committee, which Randy chairs. We talked about Border Ministry and restructuring the denomination. We talked about the Church of the Good Shepherd, of which he is clearly very proud.

I finished the day having dinner with Mark and Stacey Clark - who have really gone the extra mile to welcome Mimi and me. Mark, you will recall, was the chair of the Search Committee. Were it not for his suave and sophisticated manner, his effervessence and charm - I am sure our transition here would have been a bit more difficult. (Ok, you all know him much better than I - you know I'm laying it on a little thick here.)

I drove home after dinner, and spent the rest of the evening with my son, who had just arrived in Phoenix just about the time I hit the Tucson city limits. We two are flying to New York for a couple of days this weekend just to see the Yankees play at home before they tear Yankee Stadium down. Tune in later this week for pics and details. I will fly from New York to New Orleans to meet with selected leaders from across the denomination to brainstorm a new direction for the Still Speaking campaign. I will also report to you about that trip.

Scottsdale Congregational UCC

I found myself at Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ this Sunday, and enjoyed it very much.

My week with them actually began on Wednesday, when I met with the worship planning team to put together the second service. Its called the Studio, and is built around the concepts and themes of the Emerging Church model. Just spending that time with a group of creative, energetic, and imaginative people was a rich experience.

There were two services on Sunday, both of which were moving in their own right, and in their own way. One of the things that the Scottsdale church obviously takes very seriously is their music program. The accompanist in the first service was as talented as I have heard anywhere; and the Jazz ensemble that led worship in the Studio service excelled. Sandy Chapman, the vocalist, even wrote a stunning piece of music she debuted in the service after hearing on Wednesday what the theme would be. I was very moved by her creative abilities.

Pictured here are Hannah and Shirley. They enacted a dramatic dialogue between Satan and Jesus that I wrote based on the temptation of Jesus following his baptism.

I will be back with the Scottsdale church this Monday evening to meet with their Interim Transition Committee as they seek to make plans for the church following the departure of Pastor Eric Elnes. Rev. Katherine Harts continues to provide outstanding leadership at the church, and was lifted up in prayer Sunday morning. Katherine presided at her mother's memorial service on Friday and was unable to be with Sunday. We will all be lifting her up in prayer in the coming days.

So, I offer a heartfelt thanks to all my new friends in Scottsdale - and especially to Donna and Ray Gentry and family who treated Mimi and me to lunch afterward the services. I came home exhausted, but uplifted after such a stirring morning.

Meet a Hall of Famer

I met Richard Mitchell on my first trip to Albuquerque. I knew immediately we would get along well. A man of stature who comports himself with dignity, grace, and pride I found myself wanting to get to know him just a little better. And when I found out he loved baseball, well....

It would turn out that the weekend I was visiting, he would be directing a women's fast-pitch softball tournament. I would beg later in the weekend to have my schedule amended to go and watch some of the competition before my plane took off. I'm glad I did. It gave me a couple of hours more to sit and visit with Richard.

Lou and I (another member of Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque) would spend a good part of the afternoon talking baseball with Richard. I can't think of a better way to wile away the time. We told stories of heroes long gone; of memories that linger; of moments that shape childhoods; of men that inspire. It was a delight.

But it was in that conversation that I discovered something else that Richard and I share in common: we both officiated college baseball. Well, I did a little - a hobby for a local church pastor who wanted more time and more life in order to give more to a pasttime he loved. But Richard really did officiate college baseball - at the highest levels.

By the time we finished that conversation, I stood in awe of the man. He did things I only dreamt of, and did them well. I had the strong sense that I was not the only one who recognized how distinguished his own career in this field was, and it turns out I was not.

Last month Richard was elected into the New Mexico Officials Association Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame: hat's quite an honor, and comes only after a lifetime of commitment and excellence. That places him at the pinnacle among his peers.

We are honored to know him, and to make good use of his love for his church and the service that from that comes.

I have asked Richard to put his services to use for us, and to organize a softball game at our Annual Meeting in April between the youth and the clergy of the Conference. Guess who I'm going to ask to umpire that game?

Yuma

Here I am in the home of Nancy and Cary Meister, sharing lunch with them after a morning spent sharing conversation about their dreams and hopes and desires (i'm the one behind the camera). Joining us is their former Moderator and Newsletter editor Don Gilbert.

It is in places such as these that the Covenant Connections many of us take for granted, or let wither from neglect, become and remain essential. In their effort to build a church with a vision of extravagent welcome and an insistence on the dignity and worth of each person and each mind, they feel isolated.

It takes a tremendous amount of resources to successfully build a church. These people have a desire for and the commitment to a grand and hope-filled vision, but they are small in number and are searching for the kind of resources that will give them a fighting chance.

I was present with them as a Covenant Partner. We talked about the hard work it takes to build a church. We talked about risks. We talked about plans. We talked about resources. We talked about commitment to vision and mission. We talked about a lot more.

We are all Covenant Partners in this journey. Think about and pray for the faithfully committed members of Yuma United Church of Christ. We, that is Conference Leadership, will be in dialogue with them as we try to imagine ways to make their dream become a reality. And if you can afford the time to lift them up in prayer, please do.

Valley Community United Church of Christ, Silver City

I have just returned from an absolutely delightful weekend in Silver City.

I chose to take the long drive (which is shorter in terms of miles, longer in terms of time) through the mountains, and it was well worth it. The scenery along the way was spectacular, and the drive from Superior AZ to Globe was breathtaking.

Pastor Larimore and his partner Carlos treated me to an evening out at the Buckhorn restaurant just outside of Silver City, in Pinos Altos. It was a walk back in time, and around that table we shared the gifts of story, of family, and of fellowship. It was most enjoyable.

But the highlight of the trip was the time I spent worshipping with the good folk of Valley Community United Church of Christ. In a sanctuary adorned with stained glass windows that incorporate the surrounding geography, the family of faith at Valley church gathered to find nurturance and sustenance.

It was an honor to be present, and to represent the face of the wider church to an endearing Covenant Partner.

Prayers Needed

We are being asked to lift two of our clergy up in prayer.

Francis Rath, whose leadership has long been valued and whose commitment to the mission and ministry of the Southwest Conference is much appreciated, asks for prayers on his behalf. He has recently been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Since it was caught early, he has every hope and confidence that he will be fine.

Virginia Bergfahl is also asking for prayerful support. She will be facing back surgery soon, and is hopeful that this will bring some much needed relief.

Executive Committee Meeting

I know, this is not the most exciting subject: a quick report about a Committee meeting.

But, this was important. It was my first time to meet with your elected leaders. From my perspective, things went very well.

I must say, I am impressed with the folk you have assembled to sit around that table. I give special thanks to your Moderator, Rev. Len Silvester (whose only drawback was he arrived with a Boston Red Sox mug - and as if that was not bad enough, it commemorated their 2004 World Series victory over my beloved St. Louis Cardinals).

Among the array of subjects we dealt with, the most important was our discussion around 'Building Relationship.' It will be our focus for a while, and the Exec. Co. took this very seriously. Some very good ideas emerged that will be a large part of the retreat in September that we will have with the full Board of Directors (stay tuned for more info about that).

Please keep your elected leaders in your prayers. This is an important time in the life of the Conference, and your support is essential.

A Marvelous Sabbath

Mimi and I found ourselves at First Congregational United Church of Christ in downtown Phoenix.

What a joy it was!

There was a spirit of enthusiasm throughout, and a true touch of class to everything that was done. The music was outstanding. The liturgist took his role very seriously, and treated the scripture passages with the dignity they deserve.


And Rev. Dr. Steve Wayles preached as fine a sermon as I have heard in quite some time. He was simply electrifying. His rendering of the Jacob and Esau birth narrative was creative. His delivery was stirring. His exegetical work brought this ancient story forward, giving it life, energy, and import.

I am continually reminded of the strength that is ours when we worship together in love and Christian fellowship. This Sabbath was a joyful one for me. I look forward to my travels around the Conference and experiencing the Power of God's Holy Spirit made manifest in each place where ministry is taken seriously.

Senior Camp

This is Cody, a senior high camper from Sahaurita. I met him last week while visiting the campers. In fact, he was the first one I met. He saw me wearing my Celtic Ranger jersey and wondered if I had ever played soccer. In fact I had. He asked if I wanted to play with them a little later in the afternoon. I did.


Camp means a great deal to Cody, as you can see. You should feel good about that - your church's OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission) offerings make this possible. If your church supported campers with scholarships, you made it possible. If your church sent campers, counselors, nurses, directors you made it possible.


Obviously, Cody wasn't alone. Many others experienced the joy of Christian love and fellowship at camp this summer. Barb and Esther worked very hard to make their experience a meaningful one, and we owe them both a deep debt of gratitude. Peggy volunteered as a counselor for the week, and it was she who took the time to interview Cody. Stay tuned to the website - for Peggy has many other videos to share with you about the youth and what camp meant to them.


Let us give thanks for out Outdoor Ministries and the opportunities they create to instill a sense of pride, of self-esteem, and of belonging in the hearts and minds of our developing young men and women.

A Great Day at Camp

On the way to visit our Senior High Youth at camp last week, my daughter and I passed through Jerome, AZ. It was spectacular, and a very tangile reminder both of the beauty inherent to this land and to the blessings that come my way every time I wind my way through their back roads and highways.

When we arrived at camp, I had the opportunity to engage in a knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred soccer match with the Senior High Youth. My daughter put a hit out on me, announcing that she would pay anyone who took me down on the field of play. Michael was the one to do it. He hit me hard (embarassed, I am sure, that someone my age outmanuevered him, outran him, and beat him to the ball we were chasing down), and down I went. My daughter, true to her promise, remunerated him for his services following the final whistle.

That incident did not dampen my spirits.

Here I am engaged in deep conversation with Vaughn from Shadow Rock. Can anyone guess what is is we might be so ardently speaking to each other about? It ain't theology. If you guessed baseball, pat yourself on the back.

All in all, I had a blast. I was sorry to have to leave before the Talent Show that evening. It is my hope that next summer, I will spend far more than an afternoon and evening with them. Our youth are quite remarkable, and we will work very hard to build relationship with them; and lay claim to the gifts they offer in order to enhance our shared mission and minstry.

Prayers Needed

Meet Maria Mendez.

Her 6 month old son, Adrian, is hospitalized with a brain injury just blocks away from our church in Encanto.

Needing spiritual sustenance, she walked into the sanctuary Sunday morning. I happened to be present when she came in, and introduced myself to her. We were both visitors. I listened to her talk about her son, about her family, about his injury.

It seemed eerily familiar: my own daughter is the survivor of a traumatic brain injury. I asked my wife, Mimi, to come meet Maria. The two would sit with each other throughout the service.

Seeing Maria reminded me of the time we spent in the hospital with our daughter; of the many who lifted us up in prayer while with her; of the churches we would visit on the Sunday mornings we spent with our daughter while she lay in a coma. Mimi and I knew what she was going through. The Deacons would stand with Maria at the close of the service, lay hands on her, and pray for her and her son.

I asked her permission to take her picture, and to ask for prayers from all of you on her behalf. Would you please lift her and her son up in your prayers?

May it please God to abide with Maria and Adrian; to heal them both and remove their fear, their pain, and their anxiety.

Jimbo

You met my family a few days ago, but not the family I grew up with. I want to slowly introduce you to them. There were seven children in our house growing up - six of them boys. The consensus among us (as if there is any real question about that) is that the most difficult of us to raise was Jimbo.

Jimbo is one of those hail fellows well-met. He knows no strangers, and treats everyone as if he's known them his entire life. There's nothing subtle about him. His mischevious ways have never really disappeared. My mother's only solace - having endured his childhood (through his first seven years of gradeschool, every single one of his teachers either quit or retired after just one year with him and his classmates) - is that he has a daughter just like him.

He loves golf. Here we are in Hilton Head last year on a golf outing with a few of the brothers.He'd be upset if I didn't mention that he birdied the 15th at Harbor Town, the PGA tour's 2nd most difficult par 5 - so there, I mentioned it.















He loves Cardinal Baseball. Here we are on the day St. Louis played their first game at the new Busch Stadium. I stood by his side outside Busch and watched the tears roll down his face as, at the end of that 2006 season, our beloved Cards would defeat the Tigers and end the year World Series Champions.

And he loves our Missouri Tigers: with a passion.

He has two daughters, Sammy and Tori - and a wife, Vicki, who will be revered as a Saint when it becomes known what she has had to live with all these years.

I'll introduce the others to you over time, but I start with Jimbo - the fifth of the seven Dorhauer children.

SWC Family News

While I was away in Orlando, some news came in to the office: Desert Heritage United Church of Christ voted on Sunday, June 22 to become Open and Affirming.

I celebrate that their discernment and prayerful deliberations have led them to make this statement, and pray that the Spirit continue to enrich them and bless them.

I am proud both of them, and of their Pastor, Paul Whitlock - who, though a Dodger fan, clearly has SOME moments of lucidity.

If you or your church is interested in finding out more about the Open and Affirming process, about going through a period of discernment to discover whether you feel called to be or become Open and Affirming - then by all means call the Conference Office and we will be most happy to help facilitate such a process.

For now, let us all together give thanks for Desert Heritage as we give God thanks for their mission and ministry.