2023 Annual Conrerence recap

AC at First UMC - Colorado Springs

Meeting Kathryn Witte @ the UWIF breakfast

Year Five is announced on Saturday!

With Rev. Don Sperber before ordination service

Charles joins the MSC clergy in the hymns

It was a very busy time for Charles in Colorado Springs at this year's Annual Conference (AC) session. Taking part in his annual health screening, worship services, United Women in Faith breakfast, and the many votes kept him, and the hundreds of other attendees, engaged in the life and work of the Conference. 

The highlight of the week was Sunday's ordination service. It was twenty-five years ago that Charles was ordained an Elder in The United Methodist Church.

On Saturday, Charles was reappointed to St. Paul's UMC in Boulder for a fifth year.

It was great to have this time, the first in-person AC since 2019 and while good to get away, it was ever so nice to be home again!!

Today in Colorado Springs

This morning, as Charles was leaving the Franciscan Retreat Center, he noticed a special sight, a mother deer and a newborn fawn. A beautiful sight to be sure!

An early summer day

A gem of a municipal course

Looking for a ride or a handout?

Pikes Peak peeking through the clouds

Charles took advantage of the beautiful weather this morning and got in his first round of golf in a long, long time at one of the oldest golf courses west of the Mississippi.

Triple D in Colo Springs!

Charles had time for lunch today at one of the restaurants suggested in the packet of materials given to AC participants. Rasta Pasta bills itself as a Jamaican-Italian fusion place was featured on the show, "Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives."

Charles heads to AC 2023

Charles' "happy place"

As seen from Charles' room

Charles journeyed to Colorado Springs today for the Board of Ordined Ministry meeting ahead of tomorrow's start of the 2023 Mountain Sky Annual Conference. A trip to The Springs (as locals call it) wouldn't be complete without a visit to Schlotzsky’s, Charles' "happy place." He is staying at the Franciscan Retreat Center and has already seen several of the resident deer herd!

A cloudy day on Gillaspie Drive

Another overcast afternoon, we’ll miss these damp days as summer begins next week. Wesley ponders the mystery of the approaching seasonal changes.

It's a "white" day

It has been a wet spring for us and today's thurnderstorm brought with it pea-sized hail though thankfully there doesn't appear to have been any damage.

A sunny day on Gillaspie Drive

Wesley has enjoyed our home on Gillaspie Drive with its views from all four sides of the house. Today, he was enjoying the break in the recent rains and spent quite a bit of time watching squirrels cavort on the big oak tree in the front yard.

Trinity Sunday

Charles conducting communion on Trinity Sunday

 

Charles' Trinity Sunday painting

We love worshipping with our church family and today's Trinity Sunday worship was so very nice.

Belinda's weekend in Colorado Springs

 

The work never stops

Charles made use of the beautitful Memorial Day weather to accomplish one of the annual tasks at the parsonage: power-washing the patio and porch. The effort took nearly six hours and we are now ready for summer!