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. 

 

Ministry around the District

My second week back at work went well and I spent time in Boca Grande, Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice. Had the opportunity to visit Lighthouse UMC in Boca Grande for worship with their new pastor, the Rev. Beth Demme. 

I spent part of Tuesday filming media content for our district socials with Samantha Mosher - she is on staff at Trinity UMC Bradenton and works part-time for the district. 

I also got to have lunch with another one of our new pastors, Rev. Jennifer Ahrens-Sims at Trinity UMC in Sarasota. 

Lots of meetings online (Pension and Health Benefits, meeting with a pastor interested in transferring here) and several in person meetings with our district leadership (Operations and Mission and Vision). It was a good week of reconnecting with folks. 

 

Sunset Beach Walk

Last Sunday Parker and I went for a walk on the beach and caught the most gorgeous sunset after a storm. 

 

King Fergus

King Fergus rules the house and sleeps wherever he wants. He loves the sunlight and Parker found him curled up on his desk this week, not a care in the world.