Traveling

Bella and I have just gotten home from quite a journey. I was the supply clergy for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, NC for the last two weeks. During the week between the two Sundays I visited wonderful friends in Wilmington, NC. When we got to Wilmington last Tuesday it was 60 degrees outside and when we left it was 29 degrees! This part of the "deep south" has been experiencing a deep freeze.  Given the weather reports for the rest of this week it seems that we left our friends "down east" just before they get snow. Looks like we will all be trying to stay warm.

This past weekend in Fayetteville was nostalgic for me. Doing services at Holy Trinity, where I was the Associate in the late 90's, was great. They start their relationship with their new Interim Rector next week as they begin the search for a new rector. They are a talented and faithful congregation poised and ready for ministry and growth. It will be fun to watch as they find out how really wonderful they are!

I had an opportunity to have tea with some Fayetteville friends yesterday afternoon. There were several generations there. Women I have known 20 years, some of their daughters and even one granddaughter! I felt so honored to be in the midst of these women - watching some of them grow up, go to college and become mothers themselves. This is the great privilege of being a priest. Entering people's lives in the happy, sad and ordinary times of life and watching with wonder as God works in their lives. The joy of these relationships is immense and my heart is very happy for having this weekend of remembering. 

Bella's Santa hat was a Christmas gift from friends in Fayetteville. I think it is quite fetching! She seems unsure...