My last out of state work trip for 2025 was this week. First I started off preaching at East Naples UMC: one church in three languages.
Then on Monday I popped by to see how hurricane repairs ar going at Trinity UMC in Bradenton.
And then it was finally our turn to host the Bishop's Listening sessions in the district. We had an afternoon meeting at Harvest UMC in Lakewood Ranch.
And then we had an evening meeting at Cypress Lake UMC in Fort Myers.
Tuesday morning I flew up super early to Georgia to do some seminary visits - we got to attend chapel, visit with a colleague who is now the Dean of Methodist Studies, and I taught a lunch and learn class on clergy wellbeing.
Wednesday I drove down to Conyers to visit the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and meet with the abbott. I'm working on planning a retreat for some seminary students here in the spring and needed to check it out. What a beautiful space! And the monks make fudge and other goodies that they sell in their store.
The abbey was built by hand by the monks under the direction of a construction project manager. It is spectacular inside.
Then I drove back to town to visit with friends - the Revs. Susan and Dave Allen Grady. I went to Thanksgiving dinner at their church and spent the night at their house. Their house was already decorated for Christmas along with its Contemporary Hotel monorail (they're big Disney fans too!)
Thursday afternoon I flew home and was able to hang out with my guys in the evening.
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