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Hello, !

Did you have a full weekend of Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls feasts and observances? I sure did! I prayed with the Sisters at Saint Scholastica retirement home, and the Brothers at Saint John's Abbey. I dressed up as Hildegard von Bingen on Halloween. And I attended my home congregation Sunday on Zoom. I needed a little bit of whimsy, and I needed also to give thanks for the saints and souls who are and have been part of my life. 

It was another good week of study and writing in Collegeville. Work on the State of Clergy Report is unfolding. And also my next book is getting my attention each day. 

This week we begin a series of conversations with Dr. Charisse Gillett, president of Lexington Theological Seminary. She published a memoir this summer. The book honors both her own young life and also speaks to the lives of young people who aspire to grow into their full potential. She wrote it with her children and grandchild in mind. That Little Girl: Memories, Challenges, and Reflections on Black Girl Dreams will inspire many people, and already has, beyond her family.

We were all young once, and sharing those stories can be powerful and important. This week's conversation with Charisse is about "Calling the Roll" which is the title of one of her book chapters. She shares this ritual of the African American church of her childhood, which gathers each year and calls the roll to acknowledge each person who is part of the work and life of the congregation. The ritual is a symbol for taking notice and giving appreciation to the people in one's life who matter. 

Read more about Charisse's new book and spend a few minutes listening to her joyous sharing. I think you'll be glad you did!

I'm grateful for you, , and I hope you find grounding in gratitude this week. 

New State of Clergy Report

As you are opening this email, I'm beginning week four of my time at the Collegeville Institute. This photo was taken while I was working in the Saint John's Library last week. The emblem on my computer is a stained glass and wrought iron piece of art commemorating the founding of the Collegeville Institute. 

 My primary work here is to focus my time and energy on the new State of Clergy Report. This coming week I will be leading a seminar for all the residents. I'll share more about that next Monday!

Here is another question from the 2018 State of Clergy Report for you to ponder this week: 

If you are working within your call to ministry now, what are your most pressing questions about the practice of ministry? What keeps you up at night? What was a recent aha moment in ministry?

All of you reading this are welcome to tell me about: 

• information
• stories
• data
• books
• articles
• blogs
• news reports 
• elections of bishops or other church leaders
• conferences and events
• people we should interview
• questions you must have answered! 

All contributions will be independently verified before including them in the report. 

My questions for you this Monday morning: 

To whom do you need to offer your 

thanks and gratitude this week?

Remember, , what you do and who you are matters! I believe in you, and I hope you will let me know how I can support you!

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