Up and Down the Coast

Sunday started with worship at Pine Island UMC near Fort Myers. The Rev. Sharon Jones recently began serving there as an interim pastor. It was a great worship service. 

Then I drove up to Bradenton for our first Mission Field Charge Conference of the season for the Manatee East group at Trinity UMC in Bradenton - 6 churches gathered together for worship, communion and approving the business for 2027. 

Monday I spent at First UMC Bradenton meeting with the West Manatee Mission Field pastors for clergy one-on-ones. They had this very interesting plaque in the hallway outside the parlor where we were meeting - dedicated to the young men of the congregation who fought in World War 1. 

Tuesday I Zoomed from home and Wednesday I spent at the office. Also on Wednesday I had a breakfast meeting downtown with Rev. Nick Lee dreaming about the future of new church starts in our district. 

 

Fur Boss

This guy has gotten more comfortable lately and now has decided that the couch and ottoman are for him. 

Fergus the cat is still the boss of the animals but Caspian is a close second. 

 

September Birthdays

We drove up to Riverview today to meet the family to celebrate September birthdays - Grandmommy, Aunt Barbara and Uncle Kelly. It was nice to be together. We ate on the deck and had a nice view of the water....until the rain rolled in. 

 

Week in Review

Someone sent me a picture of me from the 911 service last Friday giving the benediction. 

Sunday I stayed close to home and went to worship welcoming the new pastor at Trinity UMC in Sarasota-  Rev. Jennifer Ahrens-Sims. It was a great morning and the congregation gave me some flowers from the altar table to take home with me. 

Monday and Tuesday I spent at camp for the Rooted event. This is a training for church staff who work with children, youth and worship ministries. Great worship with a few different speakers. I led a couple of workshops on Ministry as a Career and also spiritual disciplines. 

The SW district had two churches there - these folks are staff at Trinity UMC Bradenton and Harvest Lakewood Ranch. They are awesome and it was good to hang out with them. 

Amy was there and one night we went to grab Peachwave - two flavors of Dole Whip! 

On Tuesday evening I drove up to Ocala to hang out with the National Gathering of Local Pastors and Associate Members. They were visiting at the old Druid Hills church which is now Compassion mission helping women in recovery. One of our dear friends is still involved with the mission, Terri. She was helping with cooking for the dinner church. 

The old education wing is almost complete in its transformation to house 11 women for a 6-12 month program of recovery from alcohol additiction. 

Then on Wednesday morning the group met at St. Marks UMC in Ocala which hosts Open Arms Village for men in recovery. We had worship and some other speakers. I got to thank them all for their ministries as well and officially welcome them to Florida. 

This is me with one of the other Debbie's in our conference - Debbie Casanzio is the cochair of Florida's fellowship of local pastors and associate members. 

After all of that, I zoomed from home on Thursday. 

 

Some Quick Disney Magic

I popped by Disney for a few minutes the other night on the way to camp in Fruitland Park. I got into Epcot shortly before they closed. I managed to ride Living with the Land and also Figment. 

And then I saw the fireworks before taking off. 

 

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.