Virtual Methodist

Last night found me and my family eating sloppy burritos with friends before taking a dip in their pool and then sitting and chatting on their deck in nothing more than a tee shirt and swim shorts. Slightly different from my normal 11th night of recent years which has involved walking around the local bonfires and chatting to people in various states of intoxication. But that was not the only dramatic contrast with home yesterday. During the day Sally and I also went on a tour of 3 social engagement programmes/programs of Methodist origin... Community House , a family support centre in south west Grand Rapids, and both NECOM and SECOM (the North End and South End Community Outreach Ministries respectively). The former programme could have been any one of a hundred similar ones back home (although much better thought through and professional than most... but then they have been around for over a hundred years, giving them time to get their act together.) However, the two Community Outre...

Just a brief marker to say that I WILL be posting reflections on my recent trip to the US... But I have held off in anticipation of a meeting with the other participants today, and in the light of that I think I'll keep my powder dry for another week or two... Bet there are millions on the edge of their seats waiting...

Have gone dark over the past two weeks because I was changing over my computer and working silly hours trying to clear the decks for a study trip I'm leading for CCWA and the Dept. of Social Development to Pittsburgh, USA next week looking at the state of the Faith-Based community sector there. Don't quite know whether I'm looking forward to it or not... Still have heaps to sort out before I go... But I plan to blog daily when I am over there... Whether anyone else reads them or not, it will at least help me to process my thoughts... So... next time I type something here, it will hopefully be from the home of the brave and the land of the freedom fries...