Acting Associate Conference Minister Rev. Linda Hirst 08.26.26 I used to imagine retiring to western NC. My family is in Hendersonville, and I love everything about it there: the mountains, the rivers, and the slower life (which I’m sure I'm imagining). I have shared my thoughts with Brad, whose response has been decidedly lukewarm. While he loves that part of the country, he is hesitant about moving, and it’s all because of this one thing: community. We’ve lived in Maine now for almost...

Conference Minister’s Corner Conference Minister, Gordon Rankin, 8.19.26 This past Sunday, I told an old story as the invitation to gather for the Sacrament of Communion. Sometimes as worship leaders, we end up needing to be multitaskers. This is definitely true when preparing for communion. Often, we are folding up napkins and removing covers while trying to sing along to the communion hymn. One’s focus can be split during these times. I remember this one time when we were singing “Let Us...

Conference Minister’s Corner Acting Associate Conference Minister, Linda Hirst, 8.12.26 I learned some new slang/phrases while hanging out with a bunch of middle school kids at Horton Center. “Low key," "strat," and "trust." While I sort of got the gist of them, it did take me a while. “Low key” seemed to mean "seriously," though AI says it means “admitting a true feeling without a lot of emotion," like…I low-key like him (I guess). I heard “strat” while playing 9 square. One of the campers...