UPDATE Year 1 Week 5

Getting smooshed by Dave Dave and Bunny-eared by Anna Rose...could life get any better?

COMMUNITY

We read this together on Monday: "When you are aware that you are the beloved, and when you have friends with whom you live in community, you can do anything." Henry Nouwen from his article Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry. 

Friends, I have witnessed this quote up close and personal this year through you. Across every sector: from business to the academy, to government, to the church - your support of the Fellows has been fantastic. We wouldn't be here without it. 

In a similar way, these Fellows have demonstrated community to me so beautifully in both the way they care for each other and the way that have so willingly volunteered to serve this city. 

This week was no exception. (If only I had the pictures to show it). 

SAM and EGGS

On Thursday morning, the Fellows woke up bright and early to serve at Samaritan Ministries' annual SAM and Eggs breakfast. As you can see by my amazing drawing, there was Will Troxler in the upper left pouring coffee for guests, Rahel Tafese sitting with attendees around the table, and Alex Loy in the lower corner showing latecomers to their tables.

It was an honor to be there. You know - most young people don't get the opportunity to attend things like this. Why? Because they have no money. Which is true. But I can tell you that because Samaritan Ministries opened their arms to us, we have eleven inspired men and women who are going to volunteer and support this ministry for years to come. Thanks Samaritan!

The President was in town

We had the special pleasure of welcoming Morna Comeau, the Director of the Fellows Initiative, into town this week. She was here for less than twenty-four hours, but we certainly made the most of it. 

Wednesday afternoon, she pulled into Summit School parking lot and met the Fellows for a fireside chat up on the third floor. Thanks Fellows for making me look good! From there, she and I went for a walk around Reynolda and Wake Forest before gathering the kids from school and heading home for dinner. It was leftover buffet night (my favorite), and Morna got to see the family in all its glory as Anna Rose let out the loudest belch in history and Dave Dave recounted stories from his day. 

Morna then got to meet our bunny and turtle and hamster and chickens and fish before freshening up for a Board Meeting. 

We had an abbreviated meeting in order to allow time for Morna to share and ask questions. Before we knew it, it was past ten! So it was off to bed for an early morning at SAM and Eggs. From there, Morna and I went to visit with Richard Geiger of Visit Winston-Salem. I introduced her as the President of the Fellows (to give her clout - not that she needs it). It was a fabulous meeting and a great new friendship was born. 

Afterward, we headed to meet with the five churches that are partnering with us this year. 

Ben Milner (Salem Pres), Morna (The Fellows Initiative), Clyde Godwin (Hope), Giorgio Hiatt (Redeemer), David Speakman (Hope), and Susan Gladd (River Oaks) - Andrew Wild and David Beaty were out of town so Susan, one of our mentors, stepped in.

It was a great time of sharing vision and prayer. I couldn't have been more proud of the team. I wish I had gotten a real picture...

From there Morna and I went our separate ways to separate lunches. 

Then she was off to the National Board meeting in Charlotte. 

Thanks Morna for visiting us!

Speaking of visits: We had another special visit that night from Madison Perry, the Executive Director of the Christian Study Center at Chapel Hill. Love that guy. Go heels.

MAKING NEW HISTORY

Rahel, Christina, Alex, Reese, Julia, Camille, Chris Jordan, SaraBeth, Jessica, and Will at New Winston

Friday morning, we paid a visit to the New Winston Museum for an animated history lesson and discussion with Chris Jordan, the Interim Executive Director. 

Kevin Frack, the living History Book, had gotten us from John Huss to Count Zinzendorf to the Wachovia Tract and the founding of Salem. Chris took us from 1800 to about 1940 in ninety minutes which went by in what felt like ninety seconds. 

It became clear that we are going to have to come back for Part 2! 

Thanks Chris!

Y'all need to visit the New Winston Museum!

A QUIET WEEKEND

After several weeks of weekends away, we were finally able to have a nice, quiet weekend. 

Hobo Dinners...my other favorite!

Several Fellows went downtown for the Latino Festival. 

As Rahel put it: "These nachos and queso taste so much better in 90 degree weather."

While another set of Fellows headed to Raleigh to meet up with the Greensboro and Raleigh Fellows at the Ben Rector concert. 

A great finish to another great week. 

LOOKING FORWARD

Tonight for Round Table, perhaps because I'm a glutton for punishment or feel the need to upset the apple cart, we are going to watch the Presidential Debate. What am I thinking?

Tuesday, I'll be heading down to Davidson for my first recruiting trip of the year!!! 

Are you kidding? It's still September!

Wednesday, we will be visiting Senior Services for a Leader Lunch with Richard Gottlieb (who just announced his retirement - so glad we got him in this fall!)

Thursday, we will be attending the Tim Keller lecture at Wake Forest. 

Friday, I'll be heading to Raleigh and hopefully crashing on Scott Steele's couch. 

Saturday, I'm flying to Colorado for a quick two day visit with my dear friend Doug who is battling cancer.

If you all could focus your prayers on him this week, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you for your support!

We couldn't, wouldn't do this without you.