Week One!

This was my first week of ministry at University Church and Stanford University. I began on Monday after a 'sabbatical' of sorts: time to recuperate after 5 years of a pretty hefty travel schedule for my previous call. Monday morning, I went over to my office at the church (Office Number 1) and spent some time getting to know the property, meeting the women who run the preschool, and getting my office ready. I soon became antsy and went over to my office on campus (Office Number 2). While there, I got to know that place a bit, including the people in the Office for Religious Life. Later, I came back to Office Number 1 with the impression that I really needed to be doing something profound on my first day. I soon realized, though, that this was an opportunity to unpack, settle in, and enjoy the beginning of this very exciting new adventure!

Campus Ministry Orientation

Last week, I was in Chicago (where it was 40 degrees!) for "Orientation" to campus ministry in the ELCA. of the hundreds of Campus Ministers in the ELCA, there are 16 of us who are brand new this year. Indeed, we are the Centennial Class as Lutheran Campus Ministry celebrates its 100th year this year.

While in Chicago, I got to know the rest of my class, sharing stories and enjoying each others' company. Here we are pictured on our last full day together. We are, from left to right, Tanysha, Sarah, Ben, Julia, Kurt, Yvonne, Eric, Elizabeth, Scott, Rachel, Brad, Sally, me, Marty, Jaime, Kacey, and Chaplain Paul.


On Saturday, we all said goodbye and I returned to Palo Alto (where it was 80 degrees).

Last things and first things

On my last day at PLTS, the students through a wonderful (Frisbee Golf Themed) farewell party for Gwen and me. As you can see in this picture, attendees (including students, a board member, and the president) dressed in khaki pants and painted goatees on their faces!

It was such a wonderful day. Among other things, there was food and wine, a hula demonstration by a student and her daughter, and people saying nice things about me, which helped me realize the impact that my five years at PLTS has had on other people.

I will post some more pictures of my last day later, as well as a picture from my "Orientation" to Lutheran Campus Ministry.