Ned Erickson: UPDATE Week of September 14

We smile with our eyes now

FULL LIFE

What a gift it has been to be living life together with these men and women. Last week was great in so many ways, one of the biggest was the opportunity to spend time with each other.

It was a bonus to get to do that at places like the Center for Creative Leadership and on our own Private Tour of Old Salem.

I guess the best way to tell you about it is to just tell you about it!

MONDAY

LABOR DAY TREAT

Eric Mathis tells us the story of the Miracle Grounds Network

Monday morning, I was able to squeeze in a marathon (It was Virtual Boston Marathon Week) and get through some of the admin stuff that needs to happen (like this UPDATE).

That afternoon, we had the treat of hanging out on the farm with Eric Mathis of Regenerate Forsyth and Crossnore and a myriad of other things.

He and I have been dreaming about getting the Fellows more involved with the food challenges in our city. I believe this is our year!

Michelle got to pick her own watermelon. She was very happy about it.

Bryn cradling hers

A veritable cornucopia

From there is was over to my house for Round Table

Grace Mezzy was our special guest

Grace Mezzy stopped in to tell us about her Fellows experience and share about what life has been like since her year with us.

Her big news is that she is moving back from the San Francisco area to go on staff with Young Life in the Washington DC area! How exciting is that!

If you want to support her let me know, and I'll connect you.

For appetizers we ate pickled habaneros

Bailey was a champ

they were a bit spicy

fanning myself off

The highlight of the night was getting to celebrate Caroline Wolfe's birthday.

Celebrating Caroline

It was such a sweet time of worship, sharing and honoring one of God's greatest creations.

so sweet to be together

The Fellows chipped in and bought a pinata for her. I think it is reusable.

What a great night

TUESDAY

Heading into CCL

It was a true gift to be at CCL this year. They have been doing almost everything virtual but we twisted their arms and they let us come to campus. What a treat.

It was a treat for the staff too.

Me and Andi

You may recognize this face. Andi Williams is a Winston-Salemite. She is married to one of my great friends Paul! How cool to share a couple days with her.

We shared the room with the Greensboro Fellows

Sam shares with the group

Owen has something to say

Emily tries her first Moon Pie. Not her highlight

Working on Growth Mindset with Buzz Rings

Getting to introduce the Fellows to CCL is really a delight. Over the course of the two days together we cover a lot of ground and process and reflect on where he have come from, where we are now, and where we see ourselves going.

TUESDAY NIGHT - MORE CAROLINE

Tuesday was actually Caroline's birthday. So the Fellows went out to celebrate

I've never seen a drink on fire before

WEDNESDAY

More CCL

Hayes and AJ

Emily and AJ

Caroline gives the experience thumbs up

The highlight for day two is getting the opportunity to share a draft at a Vision Statement. This exercise is really a year long one - but every year I am blown away at what gets shared.

Really, it is the first time that we pause to hear more about each other's stories. What a gift!

Meghan and Tori

Hayes is chewing not smiling with one tooth

Owen and Caroline

Michelle cracks us up and herself too

THURSDAY

The Fellows all went to work.

I had a series of meetings including one with my mentor...

Fil spending time with his old friend Brennan. He didn't hear me coming! I didn't want to interrupt.

Meanwhile the Fellows found their way to Cafe Gelato

And video yoga

And puzzles

Victory!

FRIDAY

The Fellows!

Our Tour Guide for the day was Ginny Tobiason, the head pastor at Home Moravian. She grew up in Old Salem (her father was the minister, and she lives there now). There are not many (maybe any) that have read through the archives as extensively as she has.

What a wealth of knowledge and insight.

And balanced! which I really appreciated.

I have done tours like this dozens of times, and Ginny shared things I had never heard before. Wow! Thank you!!!

This woman is a rock star

Dick Joyce joined our group. Bonus!

Heading up Main Street. Next to the First Krispy Kreme Donut Shop Marker!!!

God's Acre

Emily walks through God's Acre

The Salem Tavern

Bailey at God's Acre

We ended at St. Phillips (where we started last week for our Freedom Ride! I know - it's backwads...)

Ginny finished our time by singing a Moravian blessing over us. WOW!

Out on the town

At Incendiary

SATURDAY

College Game Day was in Winston-Salem this week. unfortunately no one was able to go. BUT! My great friend Cris Wiley received a $1,000 award for being the awesome teacher that he is!

Home Made Pizza Night

Bailey models great pizza making

Tori demonstrates

AJ gesticulates

Caroline dominates

Meghan appreciates

Wake got clobbered...

SUNDAY

Youth Group!

Youth Worship

Brianne continues to serve even after the year is over

RECRUITMENT

Bailey says that meeting my goats was the moment she decided to become a Fellow

It feels like it is too early, but it really is never too early to be thinking about your future. If you know that you or someone you know needs to be a Fellow in Winston-Salem next year, please reach out or connect us.

I have a feeling spots are going to fill up quick this year.

GIVE