Touring

Another aspect of our work now is sharing in local congregations. I find that sometimes I really like this. With those from the island (like today and a few weeks back), it's helpful to learn about how they have balanced child rearing and work and travel and life in different places. In other local congregations, I get a sense for what people are interested in. Right now in the US, the main secondary language is on the rise (and being taught in more and more schools). It's fun to talk to relatives of people taking it. I also get to see what some classmates are up to. What's it like to serve multiple churches? A solo church? As head of staff? What are the challenges in starting at a new place? What are some different ways of doing worship, education, or youth? Interesting things. In terms of schedule, this stretches us. It's a challenge to visit so many places, but the alternatives (basically: stay in one place and tell family to visit; put Emily and kids in one place and just I travel) are not really tenable. I think we even have a fairly decent "go, stay, rest" schedule, but it's still a bit wearing to be in city three or four already and to have several yet to go.