While I officially restarted the "Sabbath Clock" on Monday, it really feels as if the experience began today. Jim and Kaye Dalbec were kind enough to retrieve me this morning and ensure that I arrived at MCI on time for my date with Northwest Airlines. After a brief layover in the Lutheran Mecca (Minneapolis, of course) I was off to an expectedly cloudy, cool Seattle. It has been a long day and I shall surely not be "sleepless" in this city tonight.
What a joy to reconnect with Paul and Donna Hoffman. It has been two full decades since we last visited and shared life stories, so this was just how the evening was spent. We sat around the dining room table of their three-story downtown Seattle home, feasted on fresh seafood and caught up on life and ministry...in that order. Paul was my intern supervisor back in the late 80's at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Allen, TX. He now serves as senior pastor of Phinney Ridge Lutheran here where I shall worship tomorrow. "Normally," Paul confessed tonight, "I would rise tomorrow morning at 4:30 am to work on my sermon." (Finally, someone that waits even later than me!) "But the vicar (intern) is slated to preach this week, so I get to sleep in," he said. So tomorrow I shall watch Paul watch his intern for the purposes of evaluation. Surely it shall bring back memories.
What a joy to reconnect with Paul and Donna Hoffman. It has been two full decades since we last visited and shared life stories, so this was just how the evening was spent. We sat around the dining room table of their three-story downtown Seattle home, feasted on fresh seafood and caught up on life and ministry...in that order. Paul was my intern supervisor back in the late 80's at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Allen, TX. He now serves as senior pastor of Phinney Ridge Lutheran here where I shall worship tomorrow. "Normally," Paul confessed tonight, "I would rise tomorrow morning at 4:30 am to work on my sermon." (Finally, someone that waits even later than me!) "But the vicar (intern) is slated to preach this week, so I get to sleep in," he said. So tomorrow I shall watch Paul watch his intern for the purposes of evaluation. Surely it shall bring back memories.
The table fellowship extended to a wonderful late evening walk around a local lake. The sun is not in a hurry to set here. It was nearly 10:00 pm when we returned and there was still a glow in the horizon.
One of the purposes of my trip here was to visit Church of the Apostles, an emergent church community shared by the Lutheran and Episcopal communties here. Turns out that COTA is but 3 blocks from the Hoffman's home which makes visiting much more doable than I had imagined. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon.
My body and computer clock are both still on CST and are bellowing that it is nearly 1:30 am. So I shall turn in. It is good to be in blog conversation with you all. I shall miss being at Atonement this weekend and will surely experience a bit of withdrawal. I send a heartfelt "thank you" to those that have committed to pray daily for me. You have seen me safely to my first destination.
One of the purposes of my trip here was to visit Church of the Apostles, an emergent church community shared by the Lutheran and Episcopal communties here. Turns out that COTA is but 3 blocks from the Hoffman's home which makes visiting much more doable than I had imagined. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon.
My body and computer clock are both still on CST and are bellowing that it is nearly 1:30 am. So I shall turn in. It is good to be in blog conversation with you all. I shall miss being at Atonement this weekend and will surely experience a bit of withdrawal. I send a heartfelt "thank you" to those that have committed to pray daily for me. You have seen me safely to my first destination.
3 comments:
Glad you made it to the Great Northwest, Preacher! While you're in Seattle, check out the Pike Place Market.
Prayers always,
Sandy
I am glad you remembered to bring a camera. Then again, I know you would likely not have forgotten.
Miss you already!
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