Monday thru Wednesday our synod held our Bishop’s Fall Convocation (fall theological conference for pastors, deacons, and interns). Here are some highlights:

Installing our new Director for Evangelical Mission Pastor Liv Larson Andrews during opening worship:

Welcoming all of the new people to out synod. I have been listing these leaders in my state of the synod addresses this summer and fall but to meet them and watch them get to know our synod was a gift.

Vance Blackfox was our keynote speaker and led us through The Blanket Exercise and presented Indian 101. Monday night we watched the documentary Covenant of the Salmon People and then we were honored to hear from NezPerce tribal Chairman Shannon Wheeler.

We tried out a new vespers service created at Holden Village: Bless this Night.

Wednesday morning I was able to interview Rachel Wilson, Communications Manager for the NezPerce.

The Holiday Inn, Clarkston has been remodeled and the venue and staff were fabulous. The hotel is a popular lodging spot for people embarking on Snake/Columbia River Cruises.