Uh . . . no.

So I was in Greenwich, CT earlier this week for our Circuit Pastors' Conference. This was in my hotel room - $6 for a bottle of water! Uh . . . no.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?

Well, did it? :-)

Took a long break from the ol' blog. Been quite busy. But hopefully I can post a little more . . .

I'll start with this past weekend. I was in Saint Louis for the pre-Synodical Convention Floor Committee weekend. I was asked to serve on committee #5 - Theology and Church Relations. It was interesting. Theology-wise, there were overtures dealing with creation, cremation, and Scripture, (and probably a few others), and Church Relations-wise, there were overtures dealing with altar and pulpit fellowship with other Lutherans in Belgium, Portugal, Denmark, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. We had one on changing our relationship with Canada, and another on the Lutheran World Federation - the worldwide association of (mostly) liberal Lutheran churches. (I was on the subcommittee on our relations with other church bodies.) I learned a lot - not only about how this whole process works, but also about how complex our relationships with other church bodies around the world can be.

Of the 42-some overtures we were given, we boiled them down to 13 resolutions (if I remember right!) for the convention to consider . . . that is, if there is enough time to get to all 13. Each committee is given an allotment of time on the floor, and depending on how much conversation and debate there is, may not get to them all. So we also had to prioritize them, most important ones first.

Our Floor Committee will also meet the day before the convention begins. First privately, in case anything has come up between now and the convention that may necessitate a new resolution or adjusting one of the ones we drafted this weekend. And then second, there are open hearings the morning of the start of the convention when others can come and speak to each Floor Committee with any concerns they may have. That should be interesting, too!

I got to worship in the International Center Chapel a few times while there - that was nice. Wonderful organists played, and I got to enjoy listening to some sermons. We finished a little early, so I bumped up my flight home and for some reason, they seated me in First Class for my flight from Saint Louis to Philadelphia! That's the first time I've ever gotten to fly that way. Nice. A guy could get used to that.

Higher Things, Days 1 and 2

Well, it has been an extremely busy summer for me thus far, so I haven't posted much. Now I am away with the youth at the Higher Things Conference at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. It is a nice campus, with our buildings not too far apart. The dorms are nice too - just very, very cold!

So, day 1 of Higher Things. This is what we did:

Drive. The we drove some more. Then we drove farther. Then we drove more, and more, and more. (I think you get the idea!)

We got to our stop for the night in Evansville, IN after midnight ET. A nice family there, relatives of some folks who go to our church, put us up for the night. It was crowded, but nice. Not enough sleep, though. :-)

All the young adults on Tuesday morning.

Got up early Tuesday morning to finish the drive here. It was only about 2 hours or so more - good! Got checked in and settled in, and then the Opening Service, the first Plenary session, dinner, Evening Prayer, the first Breakout session, and then a couple of hours of free time before Compline and bed. A very full day!

The service was well done (as usual) and the plenary speaker was engaging for the kids (not all are). They did have me slotted to teach during the first breakout session - for some reason they usually do! It's hard at the end of the first long day, but it went alright. I had about 30 come and we had a good time. My next slot is the last breakout slot on Thursday afternoon - that will be both easier and harder.

One of our young ladies participated in the talent show on Tuesday night during free time. The set-up wasn't too good for her (poor sound quality) so it didn't come across as well as it should have. So she didn't win, but she still had fun.

So all in all, a good and full day.

And a couple more pictures for you, with some friends I met . . .

Pastor Peter Ill from Illinois. I knew Pastor Ill when he was Vicar Ill in New Jersey.

Pastor Jim Leistico, now from Ontario, Canada. This is actually the first time I've met Jim in person! Every time before has been online.

I met a few more than I didn't get pictures with. I'll try to get them the next couple of days.

District Convention - Day 1

We're in Cleveland for the SELC District Convention. Drove here with my lay delegate yesterday. Pleasant conversation in the car, though it was rainy and drizzly for most of the drive. It's a bit colder here than in DC, so I wish I had brought along some warmer clothes!

Today is just a bunch of preliminary stuff. The District Board meets this morning, committees in the afternoon, and then the Opening Service tonight. My delegate will have his pre-Seminary interview this afternoon while the committees are meeting - the last thing he needs to get done to finish his application process. I'll use the afternoon to talk to folks, get some reading and writing done, and relax a bit.

As for the hotel, we're at the Marriott by the airport. You can tell it's an older building, but the rooms have been renovated and are pretty nice. The exercise room is big and well-equipped, and the machines actually are in good working order! (I've been to many a hotel where this is not the case.)

So not much to report yet . . .

On the Road Again

I am off to Montreal for a quick trip, leaving this afternoon and returning tomorrow night. Am going for the installation of a new pastor for our congregation there. I am so excited to have him at this church and in my district and circuit. Pastor St-Onge is not only a good friend, great pastor, and a scholar, he is exactly what this congregation needs. So it will be a joy to participate in his installation tomorrow.

I first met Pastor St-Onge when he was graduating from the seminary. I was receiving my STM the same day and we were able to talk about the congregation he was called to: my parents' congregation and the one I grew up in, St. Mark's in Ridley Park, PA. He served there a number of years, including taking care of my parents' during my mother's final days on earth. For his care and faithful preaching those years, I will be ever grateful.

It will be a tiring weekend, as not only am I taking this trip, but Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend and I will lose an hour of sleep! Ugh.  :-)

Back Home

Back home after the meeting with the brother pastors in my circuit. I always enjoy being with my brothers, though the time was too short. We had some good conversation, good preaching, good learning. The threat of bad weather kept some at home, but hopefully we'll all be back together again in April.

The drive home was pretty easy. It snowed pretty good as I drove through Delaware, but didn't stick to the road. No traffic jams; that was nice. Now to finish preparing for the service tonight . . .

On the Road Again

Off to my Circuit Pastors Conference in Bound Brook, NJ, not too far outside New York City. I enjoy getting together with my brothers, though the great number of vacancies we have at this time has driven the numbers down. But little by little they are being filled, so in the future we'll have a bigger group. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, too, and the driving will be smooth. :-)

Ft. Wayne

Drove to Ft. Wayne today to attend the Theological Symposia at the Seminary here. I rented a car for the trip - got a Mazda 3. Not a bad car, it drove nice, but not the best mileage. That combined with a smallish gas tank meant I had to stop twice for gas. But, it's cheap in Ohio! I saw one place for $1.51/gal! Because today was a holiday, traffic was lighter than usual, which was nice. Drove through some snow squalls, but pretty easy overall. It's cold here, going down to near zero tonight. The symposia start tomorrow; looking forward it.

The Way Home

The last day of our little trip . . .

Sunday morning we packed up and drove up to Springfield, MA for a brief visit with my son at college. We went to church with him (Trinity Lutheran) and then to lunch before giving him the supplies we had brought with us and saying farewell until Thanksgiving. The church has a familiar story: a beautiful old little church in a declining part of town with now small membership. It was nice to be able to go and not carry everything up from our closet in the basement and just sit and receive. We also looked at their beautiful stained glass windows. Sadly they are in need of a very expensive repair that the congregation cannot afford. I hope they do not break and fall apart.

After that we began the long trek home. We decided that even though it would be dark and again take a little longer, we would go back through the mountains of Pennsylvania again - less traffic and a more pleasant drive. However, if I had to do it again, I might have taken the shorter route. No problems - just got home really late.

One good thing, however, was that we found a great little restaurant to stop in for dinner . . .

It is in Port Jervis - a little town off I-84 and right at the junction of PA, NJ, and NY. It was a warm and friendly place and not expensive. It was very homey and relaxing. So if you're passing through those parts, I would highly recommend it.

The rest of the trip home was uneventful . . . just long. Good to be back, but it'll be hard doing a lot today (except maybe a nap!). Overall, though, a good weekend.

Higher Things . . . So Far

Well, we're into day two of Higher Things-Gainesville. I had hoped to post each day but the internet connections I have had were not being cooperative! Now, however, I do have a connection, so I'll get you caught up.

Monday was driving day. We drove, and drove, and then drove some more. We landed in Savannah, GA around 6 pm and arrived at our hotel. Good thing about the hotel: it was cheap. Bad things about the hotel: internet connection, breakfast, fold out cot in the girls' room. Interesting thing about the hotel: the dog that kept trying to come in for the free breakfast!

But it was only for one night, so no big deal.

However, was turned out to be a somewhat bigger deal was the next morning . . .

We got a metal spike in the tire and so couldn't leave on time. We got everyone up and fed and the van packed by 8 and were all ready, but when we started out, the van was making a bad noise! So we pulled over and discovered the flat. :-(

The kids were great, though. The girls worked on getting the spare down and out, Rob worked on the jack and getting the flat off, and I tried to locate a place to fix it for us. Problem: one of the lug nuts wouldn't come off. So I went over and gave a couple of mighty tugs in each direction . . . and the nut came off . . . along with the lug stud (or post, or whatever you call it)! Ugh. 

So, got the spare on with only 4 lug nuts and start up I-95 ten miles north to the nearest tire place. Car keeps making more and more noise. Get to the place: Nope, sorry, can't get you in before lunch. Go to the next place: Nope, sorry, can't get you in before lunch. That man directed me another 2 miles north to a place he thought would take me quickly. So of we go again . . . car getting louder. See a "Goodyear" sign and stop there. as I get out of the car, I check the spare tire - and I can turn all the lug nuts easily with my fingers! The tire had been wobbling so badly that the lugs were coming off and if we had drive much farther, the tire might have come off all together. (Thanks to the angels for holding the wheel on for us!)

So Goodyear took us in and got us fixed in about 1.5 hours (had to buy a new tire, too). So, instead of leaving at 8, we left at 11 - so we were going to be late arriving. We arrived around 2:30 pm or so, missing a good part of the opening service. The rest of the day was quite hectic as we struggled to get caught up with everything we thought we'd have enough time for.

(Chapel set-up at UF-Gainesville)

I was on the schedule to teach during the first breakaway section. I wish I could have waited until the next day as I was still feeling a bit frazzled from everything, but it worked out. 

Now I have to change and get ready to teach again, so I will end this post now. But check back for some more info later!

Cleveland

No, not the president (as in Grover, I know that's what you were thinking, right?) but the city. That's where I am for a Pastoral Conference. Got here Monday night and leaving Thursday. In between they have the days packed completely full with presentations. We leave the hotel for a local church at 7 am and get back sometime after dinner. Yesterday, the first morning session was by development people, so I got some sermon thinking done and some thoughts done on my computer.  :-)  After that, we had two sessions from a pastor who has a new book on demons and spiritual warfare. He was very good and consistent in his theology and the power of the Word of God being our only power and weapon. He was worth listening to. I got to sit down with him during lunch and talk a bit, which was nice. Later in the afternoon got kind of preachy - we had guys presenting about missions trips they were organizing and leading to different countries. Good stuff, but a bit too long and as I said, preachy. Got tiresome.

It is good (always) to reconnect with guys I haven't seen in a while. Have had some nice conversations. I'm not sure how today will be. We'll see, I guess. Perhaps I will get some sermon writing done!

Back From Florida

I was down in Florida for part of last week attending The Lutheran Haven Board of Trustees meetings. The Haven is an Adult Care Community (independent living cottages, assisted living facility, nursing home, and other assorted buildings and services) that my District owns and operates. I am serving my first term as Trustee. It has been a very interesting experience so far as the Haven is going through a time of much transition - a new CEO was hired in the Fall, and a building program is now beginning. The Haven is now 65 years old, which we commemorated last week. Here is the homily I preached for that. These trips always take some steam out of me.

What is also happening is that we are moving forward and accelerating plans to move my father down here with us. We're looking into various options, but (right now) it looks like the most likely is for him to move in with us. What that means is that we need to move into a bigger house to accommodate him. The Lord (and my congregation!) has been very good to us and so we can afford to do so, it's just going to be a LOT of upset preparing our current house to sell, looking for a new one that will suit our needs, and moving, all while working on school stuff, church stuff, and the various summer activities that come along - including trips! (I get tired just thinking about it!) It will be a relief when it's all done.

So, a full summer ahead!

The Week That Was

Well, last week was quite a dizzying week. Upon arriving home on Sunday after church, Executive Board meeting, and a shut-in call, I learned that my wife's grandmother had been called home to heaven. We had been making plans to visit her over President's Day weekend for her 99th birthday, but now began making plans to drive to Detroit this week for her funeral. I was supposed to be traveling to Florida this week for a Lutheran Haven Board of Trustees meeting, but would have to miss that.

So Monday was spent communicating with folks to cover my leaving, talking with the family, and making travel plans. I also spoke to our "Oma's" pastor in Michigan, who would be officiating at the funeral. He said it was Oma's wish to have me participate in the funeral, and he would like me to preach while he did the liturgy. I agreed (of course) and asked that he send me the readings so I could do so.

Tuesday I was at school all day, meeting with professors about my comprehensive exams and spending some time in the library, followed by catechesis in the evening.

Having received the service information from the pastor on Tuesday, Wednesday morning was spent writing the sermon, a quick exercise session, and packing. After getting the kids from school, we departed mid-afternoon. We missed the first part of the evening rush, but did get slowed a bit in Maryland. It rained most of this part of the drive, but was warm - about 70 degrees! But as we drove a cold front was pushing through, so it would not stay warm for long . . .

We spent the night outside of Pittsburgh, and on Thursday morning awoke to a temperature of 25 degrees and snow! So we drove through a light snow this day. Our wiper fluid was not working, but fortunately the road spray wasn't too bad - only had to stop a few times to clean the windshield. The traffic wasn't too bad either - and the accidents we encountered were all going in the opposite direction, including a 35 car pile-up due to a whiteout in Detroit on I-75 that closed the interstate in that direction all day! We got to our hotel in Utica, MI by mid-afternoon, changed, and went off to the funeral home for the viewing. That lasted until almost 9 pm, then back to the hotel to get some sleep.

Friday morning I awoke early and did a little sermon editing, then it was off for the funeral. The service went well, though I wish there had been more liturgy and hymns. Friday the morning temperature was 14 degrees! After the service we had a nice luncheon, followed by the interment in East Detroit in a not-so-nice part of town. But we had no problems. After that we drove back to Laurie's parents house, where we took a lot of family pictures and rested and decompressed a bit.

Saturday morning we got up early for the ten hour drive back home. It was still cold and snowy, so we didn't get very far before road spray became an issue for visibility. So we stopped to get it fixed. Found a very nice Midas place which blew out the frozen line and replaced our wiper blades at a very reasonable price. Then we were off. The snow made the first half of the drive home a bit slower than normal, and again, all the accidents we saw were on the other side of the road! We finally arrived home close to 10 pm.

So, a busy week! I somehow managed to get a sermon written for Sunday while in the car driving back on Saturday (while either my wife or son were driving; we took shifts) and working on it in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Wasn't able to be as prepared for Bible Class. But I am ever grateful to my congregation who are always so gracious and understanding with these things. After church was confirmation class, then home to rest a little before Spanish Bible Study at 7 pm. (Yes, I missed the first half of the Super Bowl! I got home at half time.) So I got to "watch" the second half . . . "watch" I say, for I was really dozing in and out and can't tell you how much I actually saw. Oh well. I didn't really want to Ravens to win, but thought they might - they looked more relaxed and the 49ers looked more uptight before the game started.

So, I'm looking forward to a quieter week! Got things to catch up on, as well as the usual schedule of classes and meetings. I have posted my sermons on our church blog [funeral sermon] and [Sunday sermon] if you want to read them. I'll get them on the church web site later this week. Now I need to prepare for our Psalm Bible Class this afternoon.

I'm Back, Part II

Traveling to Florida one day after returning home from vacation was difficult, but it was good. I traveled down for my first meeting of the Lutheran Haven Board of Trustees, of which I am the newest member. It was a more intense and vigorous meeting than I expected. Lots of important decisions being discusses at this time including the hiring of a new CEO and redevelopment. I was impressed by the people on the Board - some of which I knew and some which I did not know. They knowledge and passion was evident, and they were not afraid to speak and make their opinions known! I felt like kind of an outsider, listening in and trying to catch up on things. So I kept silently mostly, and listened a lot, offering my 2 cents only now and then.

Got home Friday night and then Saturday was spent preparing for the Divine Service. It was good to be back with my flock. I've said it before, but I'm always amazed at how just two weeks away makes my voice weaker. Not terribly so. No one else probably noticed. But I can notice. Now, lots of phone calls to make and e-mails to write and get caught up on things and get the ball rolling for all the Fall activities at church!

In other news, my flight to Florida was on jetBlue - I highly recommend them! They were cheap, but they have the most legroom of any plane I have flown on. I chose a middle seat for both flights just so I could be closer to the front of the plane and get off quicker (I hate waiting forever to get out of the plane)! But it was quite comfortable! My knees didn't hit the seat in from of me, and it seemed wider to me as well. I will definitely use them on all my trips to Florida now! They also have free TVs at every seat, so you can watch stuff. I didn't - had plenty along to read, but nice to have the option.