Last Friday, Linda and I set out for Columbus, Ohio for the annual director’s retreat. Several times during the year the CGGC regional directors meet for mutual encouragement and business, but the winter retreat is a highlight as it involves our spouses and provides us with an overnight get-away. Unfortunately, Pastor Steve and Debbie Stillman could not attend because of illness, but everyone else was able to be there including Pastor John and Anita Burns from California. Dr. Tom and Judy Lucas from the Eastern Region made a great addition to the company this year as the interim director from the Eastern Region. Dr. Rick and Aleta Mason from the Allegheny Region came for their last retreat with the group as they will soon complete their ARC duties and transition to new ministry. Others in our gathering included Pastor Dave and Sally Green from Great Lakes, Pastor Bob and Deb Eatherton from the Midwest Region and, of course, Linda and myself. It’s a good group of dedicated Christian leaders, if I must say so myself!

Ed & Linda Rosenberry, Bob & Deb Eatherton, Tom & Judy Lucas,
Anita & John Burns, Aleta & Rick Mason, Sally & Dave Green

"Dinner and a Movie"

Linda and I left Findlay late in the afternoon with Dave and Sally and arrived in Columbus to meet everybody else at the hotel. The first order of business was dinner. We all enjoyed the food and fellowship at Alexander’s and went afterwards to see “Bucket List” at a nearby theater. It’s worth seeing. Once you get past the coarse language the story line presents some rather poignant truths like when Jack Nicholson’s character comments that he “can’t quite get his head around faith” and Morgan Freeman’s character responds that “maybe your head’s in the way.” The philosophical question underlying the movie is not new. How does one confront the reality of mortality? Good question! The film is decidedly pro-faith, but it’s a faith personified by Freeman that is transformational for both self and for others. After the film we all returned to the hotel and enjoyed a time of fellowship led by Dave and Sally.

The next day some of us went to Panera Bread for breakfast before assembling together. Rick and Aleta opened our first session with devotions using a dramatic dialogue to deliver the message. We talked about the ministry ups and downs of our various regions and shared in a time of prayer for our mutual ministries. It was a sweet time in the Lord! After break the ladies headed out on their annual shopping spree while I held the directors captive to the agenda. We discussed the current CGGC mission statement and spent a good bit of time going over a SWOT analysis from each region. It soon became evident that there were a lot of similarities across the country in our ministry. We talked some about what strategic issues confront the CGGC today. We plan to take the conversation to the next level at our upcoming Administrative Council meeting in March. Be in prayer as we begin the work of recasting our vision for ministry. There will be a lot more conversations on this and related subjects in days to come. We finished our work about 4:30 p.m. with a time of prayer for the CGGC and her ministries worldwide.

Breakfast at Panera Foreground: Rick & Aleta Mason Background (L to R): Tom & Judy Lucas, Linda Rosenberry, Sally & Dave Green

The Ladies at Dinner The Gentlemen at Dinner Twins?

After supper together at the Lazy Lizard we gathered back at the hotel. John and Anita led our evening devotions followed by a prayer time directed by Bob and Deb Eatherton. Afterwards we enjoyed a time of interactive fellowship coordinated by Dave and Sally. They had prepared a number of gift wrapped packages, one for each couple. We selected in turn with the option of taking one already chosen by another. No one did so, but as it turned out the contents in each package were identical. Tricksey! Sunday morning we gathered for worship. Linda and I opened the service with prayer, song time and sermon. I talked about the wheel of godly leadership. Then Tom and Judy served us the Lord’s Supper, closing our time together with prayer for the Church. I think it fair to say that over the weekend “a good time was had by all” and as leaders we were drawn closer together and to the Lord. Ed Just what do they do at the Great Lakes Conference Office?

The Regional Directors:

Anita & John Burns, California	Deb & Bob Eatherton, Midwest	Sally & Dave Green, Great Lakes
Judy & Tom Lucas, Eastern	Aleta & Rick Mason, Allegheny	Linda & Ed Rosenberry, Executive Director

 

CORRECTION! Some of you may have wondered who our mystery lady was in last week's photograph of the Allegheny Region Administrative Council. She is Gladys Grimm who serves as the Conference Treasurer. The Editor apologizes for the omission.

Gladys Grimm, fourth from the left

NOTE: In our writing there will always be the possibility of errors. I just don’t always remember correctly or have all the facts. I beg your indulgence and ask that you give me a call or email me when a correction is needed.