This weekend was a road trip weekend to the Panhandle for me. This conference is one of two who have regular meetings of conference members (lay and clergy) twice a year. They have not been able to gather in person since Covid, so it was a happy time for them to gather together. The leadership was well represented, and they had a full house with lay members who participated as well – many from Trinity in Lockney (Providence), the host congregation. Trinity is served by seminarian Sean McConathy, a Wartburg Collaborative Learning student from Fort Worth who has found this community to be a true home for him.
Pr. Arlen Lloyd served as the Dean of the Panhandle Conference and he led the business portion of the meeting. The conference is making a generous donation to the Synod Mission Endowment Fund and continues to offer camp scholarships to campers from their congregations. They also spent some time sharing stories of their congregational ministries and events, which tied in nicely with my discussion about how we can do more together in mission. Pr. Mike Holmes also participated as a representative for many congregations that he still helps with leadership.

Of course, all of this was done with amazing sustenance offered by the members of Trinity. I have always been well fed there! Their hospitality is amazing. I am thankful for these opportunities to gather with our members!