One highlight was visiting Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT. It is a wonderful United Methodist related college with a great, caring environment for education and community building. Among many good programs, they excel in environmental studies.....they actually have a farm attached to the college. They are strongly committed to developing their United Methodist connection, as they become a part of the New England Conference next year. (Check them out on their web site, greenmtn.edu), or if you know someone looking at colleges, take them for a visit).

Another highlight was the installation of Dr. Mary Elizabeth Moore as the new Dean at Boston University School of Theology. Her installation sermon was "Spirit Speak" inviting us all to listen and follow God's Spirit into a new time of ministry and education for serving in our ever-changing world. Dr. Moore is both a noted scholar in the field of Christian education and formation (most recently teaching at Emory University) and a well known leader in the United Methodist Church (having chaired one of the legislative sections of the 2008 General Conference). She is helping to shape a new curriculum for the School of Theology that will be state of the art and a wonderful resource for clergy and laity in our Conference.

We are very fortunate to have Green Mountain College and Boston University as part of our United Methodist "family" in this region. Wesley deeply believed in both the "warmed heart" and "enlightened mind." Every congregation should be engaged in both!

♦ ANIMALS, BLESSINGS, AND EVANGELISM Our "beloved" (most of the time) dog, Daisy, went to church several Sundays ago. First Church, Melrose, MA, was having a Blessing the Animals service outside (it's safer that way), in front of the church, that Sunday afternoon. Daisy considers First Church her church because she often goes to stay with the Hartmans, who serve that wonderful congregation, when Linda and I are "on the road again"....in fact, Daisy has her picture in the church directory...with a big smile.

It was a beautiful day. Families, kids, older folks had gathered with dogs, cats, a gerbil, some kind of reptile, etc to give thanks for these creatures of God and to ask God's blessing upon them and all creation. (You can find a liturgy for this in our Book of Worship). As folks were passing by on the main street of Melrose, they heard us singing and praying and reading scriptures...and some barked "Amen." Anona Hartman had met someone on the street walking their dog (It's a great way to meet people.) and had invited him and his dog to come for the service.....and he was there....first time to connect with this church, and a spirit of fellowship, caring, and creative joy celebrating all God's creatures, great and small, "the Lord God made them all."

You might try it in your community....and invite your friends...including the furry and scaly ones!

♦ WINTER VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Some of our churches are doing Vacation Bible Schools during the winter/spring school vacation weeks that is a tradition in our New England states. It's a great way to add "buzz" to your Christian Education offering....and also reach new children and youth in your community. You might even plan with a neighboring United Methodist church to serve your whole community!

Grace and Peace,

Pete