On vacation, so not much to report.

A quick getaway with Mimi to San Diego made for a nice start to a much needed week away. Back at it come Saturday, but till then enjoying a little R and R.

back after a week away...

On Saturday last, I was in Albuquerque for the retired clergy luncheon. Pictured here are Ernie Dunn:

and Olive Hinnant and Francis Rath. We are grateful to First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque for hosting us and providing the feast.


From there I went to Ghost Ranch in Abiquii, New Mexico for the clergy retreat. First, a few pix from my hikes around the spectacular grounds that are Ghost Ranch. Wow!




And now, a few pix of the clergy while on retreat:




What an amazing time this was - the spirit was alive. I am grateful for the place and the people that made this retreat a special one.

Cameron comes to town...

When I picked her up at the airport on Monday, I knew we were in for a great time.

Cameron is simply to best when it comes to establishing the necessary steps for church growth.

On Tuesday, she spent the entire day with our Church Growth and Development Committee, which has been anxious to stop talking and start doing. Because of her guidance, we are not only ready to do, we know what to do and we are excited about it.

On Wednesday, we did a consult in the morning with a couple key members of the Growth Committee - on the golf course. (You didn't think I would fly her all the way out here, use her for four days, and not let her have some fun here in the Valley of the Sun, now, did you?)

Later that afternoon, we drove up North to Prescott and spent some time with key leaders in their church about strategies for growing their membership.

And finally, a group of congregational leaders met on Thursday morning at Encanto UCC to talk about how they can grow their membership.

I'll say this - Cameron doesn't waste our time. I wrote a small book just taking notes from her presentations, and can't wait to put into effect what I learned.

We thank her, and look forward to her next trip.