It was a good first weekend of June 2021. Saturday morning I began with a zoom conference call with the board of our NT-NL Synod, ELCA Mission Endowment Fund board. We are blessed in our synod to have this resource that funds mission and ministry in ways that otherwise could not be done. Excited to hear about their work and vision. Also reminded that on Sept. 11, 2021 we will have our Synod Council and MEF board meeting at Briarwood Leadership Center and all are invited to Briarwood that day for our NT-NL day of re-newal and re-gathering. Worship, games, food, festivities for all ages. Invite your friends!!!

On Saturday I received communication from Bishop Moses Kobba Momoh of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone on the status of the Jubillee Center. As previously reported it was damaged significantly in a wind storm. Bishop Momoh has initiated plans to stabilize the building. We will be wiring funds to them this week to support this work. After the building is stabilized we will have to have conversation about the future realities of sustaining such a significant structure. Bishop Momoh is a good and faithful steward of the church’s resources. I am grateful for his leadership.

Sunday I worshipped with my family and then at 4pm was honored to preach for the installation of Pastor Will Foster as associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Worth. The congregation decided that to invite everyone to safely gather they would host the installation in Trinity Park in Fort Worth. What an amazing afternoon to be together safely outdoors singing boldly, giving thanks for new ministry, in the midst of the diversity of the families and people gathered in the park on a Sunday afternoon. A vision of the church out of its walls into the world. Thankful for Metroplex West Conference Dean Kyle Rouze from Calvary Lutheran Church in Richland Hills for officiating over the installation.

Ended a busy weekend with a surprise. Unfortunately the TCU Horned Frog baseball team. Champs of the Big 12 Conference fell short in their regional. As a result friends offered me their tickets so we could watch my PhD alma mater Dallas Baptist University play Oregon State University for the regional title. A beautiful night for baseball in the neighborhood. #NTNL #MEF #TLCFW #InMissionTogether