We ate our lunch together and went out to the cars. We said our, "Good byes," hugs all around. Then we stood watching as Michael walked across to the bus station, to New York and then to Philadelphia. There were no tears, or speeches. We had said it all (or at least we had said enough). As we watched, Carol and I echoed to each other, "And so it goes." After one last look, we packed into the care and rode home to Syracuse.
It was a great leave-taking in my mind. We had just finished our last Staff Retreat at a lodge outside of New Paltz. We joked and laughed with each other. We had long discussions about our work in the Conference. David, Michael and Geoffrey each spoke of their upcoming plans. We had some wonderful meals together. And, then...it was over. The staff that had been together for 8 1/2 years was no more. It wasn't with a whimper that it ended, or by "raging against that dying of the light." We knew that as very different people, we had learned to work together exceptionally well. We rejoiced in this knowledge and then we simply moved on. A great leave-taking, indeed!
Moving On
Four persons left early this morning on a NY/Help trip to Honduras. Eileen Brittain, Gordon Comstock, Nancy Savoy and Hanna Zetterstrand-Robinson embarked for a 12 day trip to work in the medical mission of the New Hope Clinic in the village of La Laguna, atop Mount Mataderos in the north central highlands of Honduras. Read more about the trip in the NY/Help blog. Please pray for these four as well as the people of La Laguna with whom they will be visiting.
Fall Clergy Retreat
October 12 - October 14, 2009
Silver Bay of the Adirondacks
Silver Bay NY
Theme: "The Pastor as Teacher"
October 12 - October 14, 2009
Silver Bay of the Adirondacks
Silver Bay NY
Theme: "The Pastor as Teacher"
Leader: The Rev. Mark S. Burrows, Professor of the History of Christianity, ANTS, Chair of the "Working Group" for UCC's full communion partnership with the UEK in Germany and is writing a book on the pastor as teacher.
Worship Leaders: Marjorie Purnine, Martha Koenig Stone, and Ruby Wilson.
Other Events to Mark
Boundaries Awareness Train the Trainers Event
August 27-28 (noon to noon)
Stella Maris, Skaneateles
August 27-28 (noon to noon)
Stella Maris, Skaneateles
The Oneida Association Mission Engagement Team invites our churches and all those with a heart for mission to engage in an extended Mission Study on the theme: Water for All. Our goal is to raise $3,100 to install a well in a yet to be determined location. Beginning with a gathering at UCC Bayberry on Saturday, September 19 at 1:00 we will study the issue of how the abundance and absence of water affects people around the world. We will provide resources for churches to study over the church program year with gatherings of all participants during Advent and Lent culminating in the final gathering during the season of Easter when we plan to dedicate the donations for the well and celebrate our mutual learnings.
Blessings,
Rick Cowles
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