On the Road in AZ

Hello all!

I've been in the office long enough! And what better place to head to in January then Arizona? It is wonderful to wake up every morning and see the sun and not have to wear three layers of clothing.

I spent this past weekend at the Western Mission Cluster Network gathering at Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ (near Scottsdale).

The Western Mission Cluster Network is a gathering of key leaders from the Western Mission Cluster (WMC), which makes up regions 1, 2, & 3 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America--basically the states of MN, SD, ND, AK, WA, ID, MT, OR, CA, AZ, UT, CO, HI and NM. I think I got them all. This group comes together to engage in networking and dialogue around the concept of "educating the baptized for the 21st century." Key topics are lifelong learning and vocation.

WMC discussion panel from left: Mark Wilhelm, Church wide; Rick Bliese, Luther Seminary; Stan Olson, Church wide; Phyllis Anderson, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Representatives within the WMC included people from the synods (Northwest Minnesota, Pacifica, Montana...), colleges (Concordia, Pacific Lutheran University, Gustavus...), lay schools (Centered Life, Northern Rockies Institute of Theology), seminaries (Luther Seminary and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary), mutimedia production companies (Select, Seraphim...) and others outside the WMC--church wide, Augsburg Fortress, even people from other regions outside the WMC (KS, MI, WI, PA, etc.).

It was a wonderful group in which to participate, and broadened my understanding of all the ministries that are taking place across the "west" to more deeply ground people in the scriptures and traditions of the faith; especially the laity. People are being engaged and empowered by the Word of God and great things are happening. It is exciting stuff.

One last thing. If you have never heard of the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, I encourage you to check them out. It's a Lutheran retreat center that offers all kinds of programs througout the year. The accommodations, food, and scenery are top notch. You can find out more information at www.spiritinthedesert.org or call 480-488-5218. You, too, can experience a getaway to AZ in the winter.