Week on the Road

From Naples to Lakeland, Sarasota and Venice and off to Orlando

Things started with worship at East Naples UMC welcoming the Rev. Javier Barroso and his family to the district (and the conference!) Javier plays guitar and sings and his daughter also has a lovely singing voice and did some special music.  

I was able to get in a walk around Lake Wire in between meetings in Lakeland on Tuesday. 

Thursday was our district clergy gathering at Grace UMC in Venice. We set up one of our labyrinths and had a great time of fellowship, worship and connection. 

After the meeting I headed to two meetings in Orlando that lasted until late so I had a hotel room.  I blew off steam in the gym with some treadmill time and then worked out again in the morning. 

As I left the hotel I drove nearby to Colonialtown Square Park and walked the Pulse memorial labyrinth. 

In the evening after I got home, I drove to Sarasota National Cemetery to participate in the 25th Anniversary vigil for 9/11. The musicians from First UMC in Sarasota presented all the music and I gave the benediction. 

 

Evening Walks

On one of our evening walks this past week we spotted this rainbow - and there is a hint of a second one above it. 

 

Saturday Fun Around Town

No yoga classes today because of the holiday weekend so I found my way to the library and then to the Bay Park downtown to sit and journal. 

Our Selby membership perk this month is free admission to the Sarasota Art Museum so I visited again and took my time looking through these exhibits. Also found the way outside to the statues on the Great Lawn this time. 

 

And then I wrapped up my me time at the Unity Labyrinth. 

Sightseeing in Bradenton - Riverwalk

Friday Daryl and I took a walk along the Bradenton Riverwalk. It was a nice 2 mile roundtrip stroll. They've done a lot with art and public spaces along the way. 

 

Sarasota to Fort Myers and Back Again

Sunday I worshipped at Cypress Lake UMC in Fort Myers to welcome their new pastor, Rev. Andy Whitaker-Smith. The transition is going well and he is doing a great job. I stayed for their modern worship service and then their 11am traditional. 

This is me with Andy and the two associate pastors there - Kayln and Grady Wiley. 

Tuesday I worked from Sarasota and was on Zoom for 8 meetings! 

Then on Wednesday, Daryl and I went to Fort Myers to Faith UMC for our District Committee on Ordained Ministry. I got to welcome my friend the Rev. Morgan Whitaker-Smith as a new member of our team. 

And Nancy Metz our district lay leader was able to join in person for hospitality. She recently had hip replacement surgery and is doing great. 

Thursday I was back in the office to finish out the week...AND I finally finished answering all of my email from renewal leave (it took me three weeks to wade through the 2,000 messages I had. 

 

Next Stop Disney World

Parker moved to Disney World on Monday to begin the College Program there. He'll be working with the Skyliner. He has a few days to get settled in and adjusted before his training starts on Friday. 

He's in Flamingo Crossings East Village in Winter Garden, just across 429 from Disney property. The character on your lanyard (Edna from The Incredibles) tells which section of the Village your building is in. 

He's up on the fourth floor and is in an apartment called a 2x2 - There is a shared kitchen and living room in the center with a bedroom and bathroom for two people on each side. 

There are some cool common areas and some resort looking pools.