Between camping outings

Bev and I returned this evening from 4 days/nights of camping and Sabbath resting at Camp Swatara. The weather was beautiful (minus the thunderstorms and multiple inches of rain that occurred on Saturday afternoon, evening, and night). We read, walked, did some bicycling, and basically just enjoyed one another's company as my Sabbath rest is quickly coming to an end. The picture is our camper set up on what is now another favorite site, #16.

Tomorrow and Tuesday while Bev is working I'm riding my HD to Franklinvillle, NJ to spend a little time with my sister, Lori, and her partner, Steph.

On Thursday I'll be accompanying Mark Easteadt for his licensing interview with the District Ministry Commission. Later in the day on Thursday Bev and I will both be heading back up to Camp Swatara for the church camping weekend and the opportunity to start to reconnect with the congregation in this context. Bev and I will traveling home and to Harrisburg on Saturday morning for the Celebration of Life service for Doris Frysinger who lost her 2 year battle with cancer on July 4. Doris was a fellow ANE District Office employee with Bev before her retirement. I'll also be leaving Camp Swatara again on Sunday morning to return to preach at Florin COB and reconnect with the congregation in that context in worship at 10:45 a.m. After worship back to camp for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon before we pack up and head back to Mount Joy.

My Sabbath rest has been an opportunity for God to "get back into me." I confess that before I left on Sabbath rest I was drained and going through the motions without a lot of spiritual passion. That passion has been revived and God has been and continues to show me through the work of the Holy Spirit how God still has much to show me about my life being lived for him. I'm eager to share more about all that with you in worship at Florin on Sunday, July 26, 10:45 a.m.

You can take this as a warning or a promise but be alerted to the fact "that I'm not the same Eric I was on April 16!" Thanks be to God! See you real soon!

Sabbath Rest is winding down

The Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego was a wonderful place to experience Annual Conference. With housing, restaurants, and meeting space all on their grounds as well as a nearby mall and other eating establishments all in walking distance it was a nice package.

The first picture is of the conference banner with the logo: "The Old Has Gone; The New Has Come: All This is From God." That theme served us well in worship, business, and other AC activities.

The second picture is of the new moderator, Shawn Flory Replogle and moderator-elect, Robert Alley being consecrated at the final business session on Tuesday, July 1. Our AC moderator for 2009, Dave Shumate was an excellent moderator who practiced discernment with Southern wit and humor. He was ably assisted by AC Secretary, Fred Swartz who always does a remarkable job of keeping the delegates informed and on task. I'll be sharing bits and pieces of AC in worship beginning on Sunday, July 26 and for several weeks following in worship to help the congregation understand the AC deliberations and actions of 2009.

San Diego was simply wonderful! Weather was perfect and we were able to see some very interesting sights two of which are pictured: Old Town and a walking trip across the US/Mexico border into Tijuana. We also spent time at Seaside Village, Cabrillo State Memorial, Coronado Island, a drive north up Hwy 101, the scenic oceanside highway, the San Diego Zoo, during our ten days in the area.

AC is in Pittsburgh, PA in 2010 and will be the first for new AC Manager, Chris Douglas who replaces Lerry Fogle who retired after serving ten years in this position.

The remainder of my Sabbath Rest time is being spent between home and Camp Swatara where Bev and plan to get away for a few days. I'm feeling refreshed and renewed and looking forward to getting back with my sisters and brothers at Florin on July 16. We will also be participating in the church camping weekend at Camp Swatara, July 17-19, but I'll be returning to Florin on Sunday, July 19 to preach in worship at 10:45 a.m.

San Diego

My apologies for not posting any blogs from San Diego until today. I've had limited internet access ever since we arrived; and I'm living on "borrowed" internet time currently!

Annual Conference was good and I encourage the reader to go to www.brethren.org and link to Annual Conference for a full update.

San Diego is beautiful and we've been able to see some of the area prior to AC and now following. Our plans for today are to visit the San Diego Zoo and tomorrow to catch a trolley ride to the US/Mexican border and walk across for a short visit. Yes, we brought along our passports!

Sabbath Rest time is quickly getting by and there are only several days left. I'll be back in the pulpit at Florin COB for one service on 7/19/09 due to the church camping weekend. I understand that Sunday, 7/26/09 is also one service and I'm being invited by Leadership Team to share in that service about my Sabbath Rest. This I intend to do with lots of pictures and stories.