Texas! Part 2

The Hispanic Theology Conference in San Antonio was the program for the regular January gathering of ELCA pastors in Texas. The three synods in that state join forces each year for their pastors' conferences. Carol and Nancy learned a lot not only about Hispanic Theology, but also about Texas Lutherans and pastors. We had a very good time. I felt just as much at home among those folk as I do here in the Pacific Northwest. Very nice indeed.

The speakers were quite different in many ways, but each good in her/his own regard. Probably the star of the show was Dr. Justo Gonzalez, a Methodist pastor and theologian. His main presentation was a very poignant (and very funny!) assessment of what it's like to be an "in-between" person in the United States. One of the interesting features of him and one other speaker was that they both came from educated, doing-fine families before coming to the US, and then were surprised at being regarded as neither here - in fact, not being regarded at all. Gonzalez also did a Bible Study on Acts 6 which was very good - a new view.

Another speaker spoke about the love for the Virgin Mary in Hispanic culture, likening it to other ancient observances, and even to the huge esteem still showered on the late young rock star Selena. Others included an ELCA pastor who works at churchwide, and a seminary professor from PLTS. As noted above, each brought a different perspective to the blessings and challenges of being Christian and Latina/o. We learned a lot.

Two of my dearest friends from my seminary days are pastors in Texas, and I was very happy to be able to visit with David Henry, a soon-to-be-retired pastor in Marble Falls (he and I have these almost exactly parallel careers!), and Don Carlson, on the staff of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. It was really fun to see them. For all you Faith folk, I also had a great visit with Charles and Phoebe Meyer. Charles is Rich Meyer's brother, and part of that host of people from Faith who have gone into ordained ministry. His whole career has been in Texas. Carol and I also made good Holden connections with Ann Hafften and Franz Schemmel, as well as recent staff member Mindy Roll.

In between the lectures and the visiting, we walked the Riverwalk and enjoyed ourselves. Here's a picture of Carol on the Riverwalk:
On Monday night we walked to an interesting-sounding restaurant in Southtown that was a Latin American fusion place. The name is Azuca. We again made a meal of appetizers, and a very good one it was. Tuesday night dinner was part of the conference after a Eucharist at St. John's Lutheran Church.

On our way to the Eucharist with Mindy Roll, we stopped at a shop we'd seen the night before and bought hats! These were used to great effect when we returned to Holden, both getting off the boat and getting off the bus. Lots of fun! Here we are in our hats:
We returned to Seattle on Wednesday evening. Nancy had a Candidacy Committee meeting on Thursday, then picked up Carol in Mukilteo and we headed for Leavenworth and another great meal at South - a really fine Mexican restaurant right there in everyone's favorite Bavarian Village.

So now we're back at Holden and it's February. Lent is not too far away, and the warm temperatures give us a hint of the Spring to come. But we'll remember January 2010!