Since I am on return visits to many congregations now, I need to find new things to share in these blogs. Today I was back at Grace in Abilene, where Pr. Leslie Dunlap has truly been living into her call. I spent time in her office today, which reflects Pr. Leslie well.  Even the little tree is a good symbol of her ministry. During Advent, the congregation wrote their fears in small stones and buried them in this pot, where the new life of the tree emerges from the midst of them.

The congregational life is also strong, with a very active Sunday School class. On this day, the new council and leaders were also installed in worship.

What also caught my eye were the basket of socks that greeted people as they come to worship. The congregation is gathering socks to give to local nursing homes in addition to their usual families of pantry and blessing box. Children who come to worship also are greeted by this awesome giant pencil that holds the activity bags. Made me want a giant pencil for my office!

Somehow I missed getting photos from the potluck, but the hospitality of this congregation is always strong.