Big Meetings

On Saturday, the Exec. Co. met. We were awfully glad, and pretty darn proud, to have Edith Guffy, Associate General Minister of the United Church of Christ, with us. There were many important things discussed (look soon for the next "News from the Conference Minister"), and many important decisions made.
This is an old pic (I had my camera, but forgot to pull it out of my backpack and take a pic) of Moderator Brendan Mahoney and Josh Whistler:




On Monday, the Church Growth and Development Committee met. Likewise, important items discussed. A number of emerging new minstries, churches, and faith communities are being incubated - about which we hope news will be coming very, very soon.
Here is a picture of Church Growth Team member Butch Mellot:

And here are Katrina Glenn and Noel Anderson, also on the team:

Sedona celebrates 50 years

I traveled up the highway to Sedona for the weekend, where Mimi and I had a wonderful evening with George and Claudia Ault. It is worth noting that as the church celebrates its 50 years, George is celebrating 25 with them. That's right - he has served that church faithfully now for more than half of its existence. And he still looks great, yes?
Nothing makes you look better than posing next to me in a picture, so here are George and I (and yes, Goerge is wearing jeans and sneakers to church):

And here are the reasons why we smile as much as we do:

There was a very moving service of worship, with a choir rendition of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" that just sent chills up my spine both time I heard it. And following the worship was a picnic lunch on a gorgeous Arizona afternoon. Here are some of the pictures from that lunch:
The Rev. Donna Cavedon sitting with a clown:

Judith, who not only is organizing a whole year's worth of anniversary celebrations at the church, but also was the on-site coordinator for our Conference Annual Meeting, with Susan

And finally, the inimitable Rev. Bob Carlson, whose sister Dosia composed the anniversary hymn for the church, "Majestic Rocks"

A couple of big days....

Yesterday, CoCAM met. Among the many things we did, we happily received an outstanding new candidate for ministry and began a conversation with a pastor seeking privilege of call.

Here is Kelley Kahlstrom, member at First Congregational in Phoenix, with her pastor the Rev. Jeffrey Dirrim. She was taken In-Care at our meeting.

And here is the Rev. Alan Joplin, member at First Congregational Tempe, who has begun conversation with us concerning Privilege of Call.

A Nice Way to Spend the Holiday

Wally Ryan Kuroiwa and I, old friends we and Interim Minister in Silver City NM he, decided to spend the day in, um, a pastoral consultation.

These pictures will give you an idea of how intense the consultation was.