I met with the Scottsdale Congregational UCC yesterday to do an orientation for their search Committee (pictured above, seated around the table). It's always an exciting moment when a Search Committee finally comes together for the first time, anticipating both the many months of hard work that is ahead of them, and the thrill of finally calling the pastor who will come to serve their church.

Only last Sunday I was with them as they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

This Sunday the celebrated the feast of St. Andrew - patron saint of Scotland. And with an Interim pastor named MacFarlane, the celebration took on an added tone of gaiety. Take a look for yourself:

West Region Conference Minister Gathering

Here is my little cabin in the woods. Three days in heaven, meeting with the Conference Ministers of the West Region.

A visitor and a 50th

What a wonderful Sabbath Day!

First, Michael Piazza, such a gift and a remarkable blessing, led worship at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix. He was amazing!

And then, as if rising to the top of that mountain top experience wasn't enough, I had the pleasure of representing the Southwest Conference at the evening celebration of Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ's 50th anniversary. In the following pictures, you see the two former pastors, Katherine Harts and Eric Elnes, announcing a blessing at the close of the servuce; all of the former Moderators who were in attendance; and the lighting of the prayer candle by Sue Jenkins, a Charter Member, Lois Bond, widow of former pastor Alan Bond, and Charlene Smallsreed Tapp, the widow of the founding pastor.



What an absolute joy this was!

Here's to their next 50 years, and the blessings that will come to them, and be offered by them.