I was honoured to be invited to attend the gathering of newcomers at the aptly named "Newcomer's Event". This is an annual gathering to which ministry people who are new or newly returned to Alberta and Northwest Conference are invited - along with partners. The group met in the peaceful surroundings of the Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. Just to make me feel at home, we had a lovely several inches of snow all during the first day of our gathering. The two days of discussion, community building and resource sharing along with visits to the Conference Office and Revelations Book and Gift Co-operative and hearty shared laughter during the Wednesday night games session left me feeling good about leadership in the church. There are many challenges facing us in the church these days, but there are also many fine leaders willing to face those challenges, and some of them can be found among the people who've arrived in our conference from places all over the continent.
The next stop on my trip was not one that came as a result of my position as president, but it too provided a helpful insight into leadership. It has been my practice to attend the Banff Men's Conference about once every two or three years. This year's planning committee was faced with several last minute setbacks when first the expected music leadership became unavailable and then just a few weeks before the conference, a change in theme speaker was announced. Despite these changes, attendees at this year's conference were treated to a very meaningful set of theme presentations by Darryl Auten, who used his skill as a potter to illustrate and expand the theme outlined in the book of the prophet Jeremiah - the same theme used at GC40 - Down to the Potter's House. The new music resource people - one half of the group rEvolve in the form of Chis Giffen and Gord Oaks - were an inspiration and a delight. Not only did the men attending the conference get a chance to learn and sing some of their great music, but it gave me a chance to reminisce fondly about my recent attendance at the fortieth General Council (GC40) this past summer in Kelowna, where I was first introduced to a good number of the musical selections and where the full complement of rEvolve members was present as the General Council music resource team.
My mother turned eighty-five on October 22, so the next part of my trip was a journey to Ontario to visit with her and to help with the planning and throwing of a birthday party for her. It was a good party with a good group of church friends and family members there to greet her and wish her well for the years ahead.
Next on the schedule was a stop in Airdrie to attend the Senior High Youth Rally. I was very pleased to be able to fit a visit to the Rally into my October journey. A visit with the youth taking part in Youth at Conference in May had inspired me to maintain a connection with the youth of the church - for the energy, insight and perspective they have to offer. I arrived in Calgary somewhat late after a flight delay, so I only had time for a quick "hello" on the Friday night of the rally. A good rest (which is more than some of the other leaders could claim!) 
and I was much better prepared to spend an interesting day at Airdrie United Church where the rally was taking place. Of course, as I expected, it was a wonder-ful time. The most exciting discovery for me (and really should I have been that surprised?) was the quality and depth of leadership being provided to the youth rally. I sat with the leadership team on Saturday afternoon as they debriefed the rally so far, and was nothing but impressed by the insight, dedication and commitment of this group of young leaders.
