In Atlanta . . .

Greetings,


I arrived in Atlanta earlier today and this evening I have begun meeting with the other participants in the Conference. There are about 160 participants here from across the country. I have met a few folk I know including, the new interim pastor at Zion Perry Hall (my father’s church) and Elizabeth Colton, a former member of New Ark UCC and interim pastor who served the Chesapeake Association a few years ago. I believe she even visited St. Matthew’s a time or two.

This Institute was previously sponsored by the national offices of the UCC and focused only on new church starts. Within the last year the Center for Progressive Renewal, headquartered in, and drawing on the work of the Southern Conference, was created and church revitalization has been added to the curriculum here.

Our first gathering tonight was primarily just a get to know you session and the real work begins tomorrow morning.


Also FYI –
There have been two major developments at Lancaster Theological Seminary in the last few days. President Riese Potterveld is leaving to become President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, my alma mater, for a three year term. A press release from PSR is reprinted below. At the same time the chair of Lancaster's Board had to step down due to serious health concerns. CAC's own Dr. Anna Johnson Winegar, was named the new chair of the Board this weekend. Anna would welcome your suggestions regarding candidates to be Interim President at LTS. She can be reached at annajwinegar@aol.com. Anna is a member of Grace UCC in Frederick and the Conference Board of Directors.