While I’m on the road in Germany please enjoy the travel log of our designated conference minister, Dr. Don. He wrote this about a stint to Houston in January.
Blessings, Rev. Daniel Haas
It seems like I am getting to Houston a lot lately. Sunday before last I had the privilege of preaching the morning service at First Congregational and then staying around for the evening meeting of the Houston Association Board of Directors. All I can say about that meeting was that it conflicted with the Cowboys playing Green Bay, thus showing my level of commitment to all things ecclesiastical. Do you know as Dallas was losing, they laughed at me? Apparently, the brethren in Houston don’t realize that the top of Cowboy Stadium is open so that God can watch.
Wednesday found me back in Houston for the Ecumenical Service for Christian Unity held at Christ Cathedral downtown. Prior to the service, I was able to meet with several of our local clergy. It was all valuable. Friday, I visited a couple of clergy in New Braunfels prior to attending the Slumber Falls Camp Council meeting led by our new Camp Director Jeremy Albers. Saturday found me once again in Houston where I attended an evangelism workshop led by our own Ron Trimmer. Ron did a fine job. He has an easy charm and a down-home demeanor that belies a very sharp and effective practitioner. Sadly, I was not able to get back to Austin for the march in the Capitol but did what I could from Houston. I stayed the night in Houston with my former CPE Supervisor who did the best he could with what he had to work with. Tom is married to a delightful woman named Linda who has a Native American heritage and a fascinating story to tell.
Sunday morning, I was able to attend Grace UCC in Houston where David Pantermuehl is the pastor. The service was both poignant and powerful at the same time. David has a way of weaving a sense of family throughout the service while retaining relevancy to the great issues of our time. Grace is one of the few churches I have attended anywhere that is truly multi-ethnic. We are fortunate to have such leaders in the Conference.
I listened to Green Bay being annihilated as I drove home… so sad! When you laugh at the Conference Minister’s team, need I mention America’s Team, well… Karma, baby. 🙂
Dr. Don