Last Sunday was travel day to Louisville, Kentucky. I was lucky to have an 11:00 a.m. flight out, much easier than the usual 6:00 a.m. flight time. However, Homeland Security at the Falls airport has become very lax and uncaring. They took everything out of my purse and shoved it back in all jumbled, so I had to completely rearrange my purse before boarding. When I arrived in my room and opened my suitcase I discovered the same thing had happened to it. Everything appeared to have beem removed and then dumped back in unceremoniously and with no respect for my stuff or my careful packing. Unfortunately, it's doubtful complaining would do any good even if I could figure out to whom to complain.
Everything else went well. My layover in Minneapolis went by quickly. I was able to hook up my computer at a laptop booth (more of those than phone booths these days) and I also had time to read. My flight was on time and uneventful and I enjoyed a brief conversation with the woman across the aisle who has relatives near Louisville and goes down every year for Derby Week. She says it's lots of fun!
I connected with two men from Seattle and San Luis Obispo, California, with whom I shared a cab to Laws Lodge at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary.
Laws Lodge has nice rooms that feel like a motel rather than a dorm and our seminar was held upstairs in the same bulding. The seminary grounds and surrounding area are beautiful and everything in Louisville was green and blooming (Aaaah-CHOO!!)
The Alban Institute seminar "A New Vision for the Long Pastorate" started at noon on Monday, April 28 and ended at noon on Wednesday, April 30. It was a larger than usual group, 55 people in all. The largest percentage of the group have been serving in our current church 8-15 years. There were participants of all ages from all over the country, and even two men from Scotland - serving in the Church of Scotland.
Most of the 3 days I felt like I was on Information Overload, but I took copious notes and once they're organized, I'll have some good ideas and suggestions for continuing to do vital ministry together at Faith United Church and in the Falls.
We had large and small group sessions, good food catered in and even a little free time to explore the seminary grounds.
For the return trip, I had a 6-1/2 hour wait at Louisville airport. The first 4 hours went by quickly as there were 3 others from the seminar to wait and talk with. The airport is small, but it was buzzing with Derby travelers. It was fun to watch women arriving carrying hat boxes and to see the locals with hats and flowers on hand to welcome everyone to Louisville. There was even live musical entertainment across the concourse from the gift shops.
On the last leg - the flight from Minneapolis to the Falls, I met a local couple returning from Arizona. They assured me I wouldn't need to pack anything long-sleeved or even remotely smacking of winter attire when I head for Phoenix this week.
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