Reverend Ref +

COMING HOME

Well, actually, I'm already home. It's been a week. Tuesday Mrs. Ref and I headed north to Polson, MT for the annual clergy conference. Our diocesan camp is located just about 10 minutes from Polson, and we all stayed at one of the hotels in town. Tuesday evening was munchies, getting reacquainted, dinner, the bishop's address and evening prayer.

Wednesday was spent basically all day in a seminar with people from CREDO. It really seemed to be basic information -- take care of yourself so you don't die -- and didn't need to go all day. After lunch, Mrs. Ref and several other clergy spouses left the seminar and went into town because ... well ... because nothing was planned for the spouses (yet again). I think there's going to be a spousal revolt in the diocese. Anyway, they could've stopped at lunch and let us take a nap and I would've been happy.

Thursday we had our closing Eucharist and everyone went home. Well, almost everyone. Mrs. Ref and I headed out to Bigfork to make our first office visit as representatives from the Commission on Mission Planning. If you don't remember, this is the group that goes into smaller parishes that are .... struggling (although that may not be the right word) .... looking ... for a way to grow. So the CMP visits with them and helps them get their hands onto a clear direction.

This was the first time we did that. We were a more than a little worried that we might scar the parish for years to come. However, we apparently did some good work. Got the people thinking about things. Got them focused. Got them to come to a conclusion about something that the parish can work with and develope a parish identity. So it wasn't all bad.

Then we drove home. I think I'll make that a separate post. So, see below.