This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings from Chicago. I arrived here on Monday for a week of continuing education with other clergy from all over. We have students here from South Carolina, Alaska, Montana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Minnesota. Each brings a unique perspective, born from their various experiences. We have been studying community development and church and civic initiatives built to meet the needs of the communities they serve. In some cases, I have been inspired. In other cases, I have been moved, and today I laughed hysterically as a goat in a church's community garden jumped up on a picnic table and proceeded to take a nap, belly up, like it was getting a sun tan.

I am taking away lessons and ideas. I am also taking away a sense of gratefulness. Our missions stand on par with nearly every mission I've visited. From Safe Space to our Sharing Garden to our feeding ministries to the Daughters of the King and their healing service, our church does so very much. While I will come home with ideas and thoughts that have been shared, I have also been able to share what we are doing. In that sense, my experience has truly been one of mutual ministry, which I think the whole Episcopal Church can aim for. What works for one may work for another. If so, perhaps the act of sharing, one church to another, is one of the ways we can invite the Holy Spirit to work. I cannot wait to share what I have learned.

To those going to the baseball game today, have fun. Please know I am sad to miss it, but I am also deeply grateful for our St. Martin's Foundation and the ability to have continuing education experiences. I look forward to being with you all on Sunday.

Peace,

Mitch