Wednesday (Our Lady of Lourdes)

Began the day in Belleville as we wound up the clergy retreat: Morning Prayer ... breakfast ... a lively discussion of how we would like to order and configure clergy gatherings going forward ... an equally lively discussion of some presenting issues at this summer's General Convention ... Mass for the lesser feast of Our Lady of Lourdes ... lunch, which concluded the retreat. I then logged in to a conference call of a committee of the Living Church Foundation board, which I then took leave from a couple of times to clear out of my room and pack the car and begin to make my way out of Belleville and toward Carbondale, including a stop for gas. I was on the call when it concluded 90 minutes after beginning. Arrived in Carbondale in time for a 3:30 meeting with the rector and a couple of key lay leaders of St Andrew's to discuss some issues and opportunities in the life of that congregation that is enjoying a growth spurt these days. Then I swung by the hospital to look in on Fr Tim Goodman, still recovering from his recent heart attack. He's in excellent spirits, considering all he's been through. Headed north finally, and arrived home a little past nine ... an appropriately tired.

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