The Until We Meet Again Tour on August 21 had brunch with Boxster, Nicole, and Desi. They gave me a Fitbit as a parting gift. Nicole is my trainer and this device measures a whole lot more than steps, which is what my previous device did.
It got some good use yesterday. I promise not to make a habit of posting such photos, but this seemed an pretty good start.
Filed under Exercise, Friends, Uncategorized
The evening gig for the Until We Meet Again Tour took place at the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York where the Presbytery of New York City gathered to say farewell to Andy James. Andy will leave for a call as presbytery staff in New Hope Presbytery serving as their Associate for Small Church Ministry and Technology. He had served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone and the Stated Clerk of New York City Presbytery.
Andy invited me to speak at Whitesone as one of the first stops on the Welcome to New York City tour. He also involved the staff and interns of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations in Whitestone’s witness and work to end violence against women and girls. On the weekend when that initiative began, Ryan Smith spoke at the first event, and Jamie Tan and I attended a worship and witness in a nearby park.
Andy is a friend. He will be missed in the Presbytery of New York City. But our paths will cross in the days to come.
Thank you for your ministry, Andy. Godspeed on your new tour and in your new service.
As noted in the previous post, the highlight of the Until We Meet Again Tour was brunch at Community Food and Juice with my dear friends Nicole Kung and Desi Aldorando. I should point out that my dear friend Boxster joined us.
Boxster and I met during my first massage treatment from NK Body Philosophy. Boxster, or Mr. B. as I sometimes call him, sat under the table. We have been friends ever since.
The photo is by Nikki Kung, Boxster’s mom.
The Until We Meet Again Tour spent a good portion of the day cleaning the Shire. A good workout involving the treadmill and a workout designed by NK Body Philosophy took place.
But the highlight of the day involved brunch at Community Food and Juice with my dear friends Nicole Kung and Desi Aldorando. Among the many people I will miss when I leave New York, I suspect that Nikki and Desi are among the friends I will miss the most. And they are among the friends I will figure out how to meet again.
The Until We Meet Again Tour went for a walk in downtown Windsor, Canada with June Lorenzo.
As we explored University Avenue West, June spotted a store and said we should go in. There we found Full Circle Vintage where owner Sarah DeLuca, featured in the first photo, helped me pick a new bandanna. A hand made, reversible bandanna.
I am told it makes me look bad ass. I think that’s good.
Today’s Until We Meet Again Tour involved me staying at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. My friend Hazel came to see me with dinner and a painting she had made. Thunderstorms had begun wandering through the city in the evening. While they did not cut much of the heat and humidity, the storms did make me wary and the painting remains at my office until it can be brought home without concern for its safety.
The Until We Meet Again Tour hopped the Long Island Railroad and ventured out to Queens to preach at the First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone.
Whitestone had been one of the first, if not the first, church where I made a presentation in my role as the director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.
Andy James, Whitestone’s pastor, was the first to invite me to preach this summer. Pondering that invitation, and accepting that invitation, allowed me to accept other invitations. And that has made for a wondrous tour.
See you along the Trail.
The Until We Meet Again Tour returned to Max Caffe. Derrick McQueen joined me for a marvelous conversation that ranged from racism to oppression of the LGBTQ community to antiracism and other ways to address the intersectionality of oppressive systems. A challenging, life-giving, hope inspiring conversation. A conversation that leaves me with much to ponder and that will, in the words of Dick Watts, be continued. A conversation so engaging that I forgot to take a photo of Derrick.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Friends, New York, Photo
The Until We Meet Again Tour wandered around Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue this evening. St.Patrick’s Cathedral was visited.
Thanks to Hazel Man for sharing this part of the tour.
Yes.
It was hot.
And humid.
See you along the Trail.
The Until We Meet Again Tour went to First Chinese Presbyterian Church in New York City today. It was a wonderful day with dear friends. Truly a blessing. As noted earlier, my intention had been not to accept invitations to preach during the tour. However, invitations began to arrive from congregations that mean a great deal to me and it became impossible to say no. Once again I am delighted I agreed to preach. It was a tender, precious moment filled with sorrow and joy. The experience crystallized a reality that has been emerging for me – I will miss the people of New York even more than I will miss the places of New York.But they will travel with me in the mystery that is the Communion of Saints. And in the photos I take:
I even rose to a challenge from Doreen to take a selfie:
See you along the Trail.
