Friday AM

It’s early Friday morning and I’m looking forward to the day. We will begin with more new church development work, followed by the “official” beginning of the conference this afternoon and then a HUGE worship celebration tonight. Kirkwood UCC will be among the new churches lifted up in prayer and thanksgiving—and a banner marched around the worship arena…hopefully your ears will be burning tonight. Cameron Trimble, who is our Southeast Conference new church head honcho has made several presentations already and is saying many good things about our becoming church in Kirkwood—about you-- and I have to say, it does make me very proud—you make me very proud.

I met some interesting, encouraging, outgoing people last night from all over. Jay from Illinois, John from Detroit, oh several others who are beginning churches throughout the country, all different colors, ages, theological convictions…it is exciting—overwhelming, but most certainly good to be around others who are working toward the same things that we are.

I attended a worship service last night with the theme, “Is It Well With Your Soul?” It was well with my soul, but it was helpful for an opportunity to ask the question. There were healing stations to be anointed with oil, followed by communion served by John Thomas the president of the United Church of Christ. You know I got there early and watched all the people come in. And many were new—or newer you could tell, but many have been coming to the UCC Synods all their lives and they hugged each other and their faces lit up when they saw each other and that part made me so happy and so sad. I missed hugging those folks at the UM conference this June---I look forward to the day when I will be hugging the necks of the UCC folks—that will be a good day. Mostly I thought how thankful I was—I am to be able to hug your necks, really it is so good to think about you when I am feeling a little off balance in this new crowd—to think about our worship together, our work together, our conversations, our becoming a church. WOW, God is so good—all the time.

I’m fixin’ to be late. Please keep me in your prayers today---you will be in mine. L, S