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.