And now the pics....

I am back. I will play some catch up this morning, but here are some pics with some commentary on my trip to Orlando - my third since serving on Conference Staff, but my first as a Conference Minister.

First, here is a dear friend, with whom I served in Missouri on staff, and with whom I vacationed right here in the Southwest as we toured the spring training facilities about four years ago. Dale Parson is as good a human being as God can make.













You will recognize this man, John Thomas - the General Minister and President. I caught him at his best: food shoved in his mouth and a glass of wine in his hand. His sermon on the value of intelligence in ministry and the call for that never to overshadow the need for those whom we serve to simply see Jesus was brilliant and stirring.













These next two you probably won't know. The first is Joan Ishibashi, and she is the Association Minister for the Western Reserve Association of the Ohio Conference. She is the Conference Staff person for all of our National Staff offices. And what a delight she is. Her sermon on the changing nature of ministry as we know it, and the wisdom resources that are ours in scripture and the Tao de Ching were inspirational.

The second face is that of Don Clark, Attorney for the United Church of Christ, and himself a brilliant legal mind. His lectures on matters legal in the UCC were informative, and will probably prompt a memo or two from me to all of our churches and clergy.
















And here I am waiting to get home, but delayed waiting for a plane to arrive in the snow storm that hit Denver last night. A long night travelling, but I am home.

Pics will follow, but after a long time away, I am heading home.

Had some great meetings. Learned a lot.

One computer died on me, and I am now writing on my brand new MacBook. Gotta say, I love that.

I hope that when I get back, I discover that the children have played well together, the dog didn't mess all over the carpet, and my churches have increased their giving to OCWM.

And isn't Christmas coming soon? Must be, they're piping that music in our ears everywhere I go.

Final note: promise not to tell anyone, but instead of going to my workshops this morning, I snuck out and played a round of golf. I hope I don't find out later I was supposed to lead one of those.

From Albuquerque to Orlando

Early in the week, I had the pleasure of spending a day with the 'Bishops' of New Mexico. We had a day of prayer, of meaningful dialogue, and of heartfelt debate on substantive issues. You will not be surprised to learn that we did not all agree on the subject of Domestic Partnerships, which will be on the legislative agenda in New Mexico. I did not expect we would agree, but I didn't necessarily expect that we would be able to talk as openly and freely and honestly about that as we did. That was a nice surprise. My thanks both to Barbara Dua, our Executive Director, and Sue Gallagher - my deputy (I love the thought that I have a deputy)in the New Mexico Conference of Churches. She is pictured above (middle photo) fully engaged in the dialogue that our ecumenical partners shared with us.

But now I am in Orlando, meeting with all of the Conference Ministers throughout the denomination. My very close friend, Sheldon Culver, is seated next to me (that is she in this first picture). We are engaged in weighty and serious matters (OCWM shortfalls right now, Conference Minister Fitness Reviews earlier - oh my!).

I will try and report a couple of times while down here. Do keep us in your prayers. Still to come are presentations from our Pension Boards, from the Insurance Boards, from our National Legal Counsel, and quite a few other things.

Till then, be well.