(Written as the editor’s letter for the January 2022 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) We’re nearing the end of January and a colleague of mine recently shared a reflection based on Katherine May’s book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times which I found particularly apropos for our network of…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the December 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) Right now GOL is a snowball rolling faster and faster downhill, gathering momentum and energy with every turn of the sphere. Each conversation makes us move a little bit faster and each relationship builds on the success before it….
(Written as the editor’s letter for the November 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) 51 days until the New Year. What?!? My youngest daughter is obsessed with countdowns. How many days until Halloween? How many days until Thanksgiving? How many days until we get chickens? (Yes… chickens.) Even when you live your life…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the October 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) Scrolling through my Facebook feed (looking at cat videos!) I came across this jewel of a post from Rev. Ben Maddison: This is the very essence of Gathering of Leaders! The Great Commission is our founding principle and the…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the September 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) It was an absolute joy and blessing to hold our first in-person Gathering of Leaders in Seattle last month. It was our first time getting together since February of 2020 and was a source of rejuvenation and respite for…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the August 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) In my opening statement in the May 2020 GOL E-News, I said, “Whoever said that change is the only constant must have had a crystal ball showing them the year 2020.” I find myself wanted to say the same thing…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the July 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) I’m writing this today when my head is in a state of excited frenzy that is anything but conducive to clear articulation! I’m sure there are a few people in the GOL network who have lived through a similar…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the June 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) It is difficult for me to believe that 2021 is almost half way over. I see more and more congregations re-opening their doors to in-person worship, more and more people getting fully vaccinated, and more and more hope that…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the April 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here. Read the 2020 Annual Report here.) One of my favorite activities each Spring is reflecting on the previous year of networking and ministry that takes place throughout the Gathering of Leaders community. Looking back on 2020 has been both…
(Written as the editor’s letter for the March 2021 GOL E-News. Read the full newsletter here.) Or is that supposed to be “Moving Forward”? I don’t know if you feel the same way, but a year into the pandemic I often find it hard to complete a coherent sentence let alone lead, strategize, or innovate. Even writing…