Friends:

I was happy to spend part of last week in Chicago
at the National Workshop on Christian Unity. You may recall
that last year I served on the Local Committee which hosted this event
in Washington.

This year there was not nearly so much to do!
I had more time to visit with folks–and update them
on the Consortium.

The three previous years I presented one of the Workshops [last year the
workshop was on the work of the Consortium]–this
year I was free to attend workshops.

I saw our former Chair Rev. Thomas Prinz–he seems to be doing
very well and is busy as ever–both with his congregation in Leesburg and with
ecumenical work.

I saw Rev. Becky Crites-she recently graduated from VTS-she is now the ecumenical officer
for the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Virginia. She was in very good
spirits as usual. She is a living reminder that if you take my course in ecumenism, things might happen!

I also saw Brother Jeff Gros. Jeff received the Consortium Ecumenism Award this past February. He was very thankful and positive about receiving the award–and was happy for the opportunity to see his friends at the ceremony at the John Leland Center [He mentioned Dr. Dolores Leckey of the Woodstock Theological Center among others.]

As usual, several people asked if Wesley Seminary would be offering the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Ecumenism any time soon. There is a low-key and continuing interest.

So, it was a great experience!
More later.

Peace,
John