Summer Plans

Well, we've been out of school for almost a month now and the fun times are almost over! My family has spent the last week in Jacksonville getting some sun and rest and visiting with old friends and family. Overall it has been a great trip. We spent the first few days with my sister and brother and their significant others and offspring. I had lunch yesterday with a friend who will be at seminary with me next year. I also got to visit with our Bishop to discuss the state of the diocese and make some tentative plans for my field education next summer. Last night we did a slide-show of many of our pictures from Sewanee for our home church. That was great; it was wonderful to see everyone and try to catch up a bit. My older sons have been spending time with their friends and they’ve also gone surfing twice. Tonight we went out with my wife’s mom to have sushi, which is a real treat for a Sewanee resident!

This coming Monday will be the first day of ten weeks of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Chattanooga, TN. It’s basically a chance to serve as a hospital chaplain while receiving clinical oversight and having daily access to counseling as we (I’m on assignment with three classmates) face the challenges of dealing with the sick and suffering at a major city hospital. I’m excited and a bit nervous, but overall I think that CPE will be a welcome change from academia and a welcome challenge for all of us.

I send my heartfelt thanks to all who showed us such great hospitality during our visit to Jacksonville.

Blessings,

Jon