Monti's

Once a month, a rather desperate looking group of folk gather at a southeast Phoenix area location and try to eat a meal together without being asked to leave the Restaurant.

Who are these people? Well, mostly clergy in and around the Valley here in Phoenix.

Today we heard from...

Jim Riggins (seated next to that handsome man in the picture above, and next to Luis in the picture below) whose choir has been asked to travel to New York next June to perform at Carnegie Hall to celebrate the 70th anniversary of one of the Church Music publishing houses (congrats! to the members of West Congregational UCC!)

Luis Gonzales (pictured here reacting to my announcement that the St. Louis Cardinals are the best team in the history of baseball) was introduced to the group. He is serving as the Pastor at an emerging new Hispanic church start nested at Church of the Beatitudes: TOX ministries. He also brought with him his Associate Pastor and musical director Alfonso.

John Herman (who had nothing of interest to say or share, we just heard from him -over and over again)

Brian Frederick-Gray, new to the group who just Tuesday was invited to begin Intentional Interim Ministry at Encanto Community UCC near downtown Phoenix

Kristen Barner, the newly called Associate Pastor with Steve Davis (prayers for her, people, prayers) at Shepherd of the Hills and who last week (if you read my blog you know this) both received a License to serve there AND was taken In-Care as she prepares for Ordained Ministry in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ

Tina Campbell, doing chaplaincy work at Scottsdale Community Health Center in, well, Scottsdale, who shared with us her experiences as both a water polo player AND a synchronized swimmer



There were others present, but we need not waste all your time. We had a good time. This group tries to do this every month. Things went a little better this time because Steve Wayles could not be there - the general behavior of the group improves dramatically in his absence. Not only that, the stories we can tell about him when he's not there are always more entertaining than the ones he lets us share about him when he is there.

Believe it or not, the ministry we undertake together is in the hands of these capable women and men. In all seriousness, we are blessed because of them. We should all be thankful for their service, their time, and their commitment to both their ministry and to each other.