As a Northfield newbie, I am eager for the opportunity to meet some of the many interesting persons in this community.  A month or two ago, retired Pastor Phil Eaves invited me to a Monkey Read bookstore book club, and I have participated in two delightful discussions (Unaccustomed Earth & The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).  Last week, as a result of my ELCA convention blog posts, Pastor Keith invited me to visit the theology table, a 
Goodbye Blue Monday coffee house weekly gathering of ELCA pastors to discuss the lectionary texts and … whatever else comes up.

Today, I arrived early (local blogmeister Griff Wigley was hard at work at his laptop in the corner) and finished a mug of coffee and cream cheese croissant before the others began to arrive:  Pastor Keith, Pastor Paul from St. Peter’s Lutheran, Pastor Joy of Wangen Prairie, University of Mn bound Jake, and Pastors Steve and Joanna of Our Savior’s in Faribault.  I also met old friend Pastor Howard of Old Trondhjem Church.  Nearly fifteen years ago, Howard worked as the professional fundraiser during a new church building fund drive at my Gethsemane Lutheran congregation in Upsala at a time that I was the congregational president.

I hope I got the names of everyone right and didn’t leave anyone out.  I’ll be back.