Alright already! I’ll write about Nashville. The truth is there’s not that much to say.

My seminars were well attended and I had fun doing them. Great crowd, v. interactive and only a teensie tiny bit of worried-ness re: our lack of focused Bible study. (Monkfish folk only like to do lectio divina with scripture right now – the sermon and “devotions” have certainly been put on ice.) I even got a few laughs at the gig, so that was nice. I don’t usually think of myself as a funny person, so I’m always pleasantly surprised with that ripple of laughter passes through the crowd.

The Emerging Women’s Leadership Initiative (EWLI) had a great two day course on Power in which we tried to figure out the difference between “power” and “control.” I’d like to learn how to stand in my power. I think Claudia might be able to teach me something there. . The Mars Hill/EWLI power lunch didn’t quite go over as plan. There were a lot of strained silences and false-starts to conversations. In Vineyard-speak we would have said there was a “heavy” spirit in the room. I did get to have a nice, chatty lunch with MarkO. We’d never had a chance to talk before so that was nice.

Oddly enough, my highlight of EC Nashvegas might have been the memorial service for Dr. Stan Grenz. Dwight Friesen hosted the memorial and he did a wonderful job. I wish you all could have been there to hear the story of the Bitsy Family and to join us in a sweet little chorus of the Itsy Bitsy Spider. At one point they showed a video of Stan that his son, Joel, had made. It captured all the sweet funny things we all miss about him – including his penchant for bad jokes and silly tshirts. (Where is Heck? It’s the place for all the people who don’t believe in Gosh!) I was able to share where my story intersects with Stan’s story, which was a moving moment for me. Later, Wes Roberts told me that Stan had spoken to him about our tale of loss,and that he (Wes) had been able to help another family who was in a similar situation with a malfunctioning pregnancy. It was encouraging to hear how the sharing of story strengthens and sustains us all.

I only went to one seminar – Lauren Winner’s on Spiritual Autobiography. I got a few tips and a couple of good warnings. This was particularly timely because I’ve talked to three publishers so far and I’m getting geared up to submit some proposals in the fall.

The title of “Bravest Woman in Nashville” goes to Kathy for laying out her soul at Off the Map’s interview of “people formerly known as lost.” She put her career, faith, passion, and sexuality on the line when she told a room full of southern pastors that she was a gay nurse ministering to hospice patients with cancer. Oh, and did I mention she attends something called the Church of Unity? You can imagine the questions! I could have died when one man asked her, “So, were you abused as a child?” Kathy answered him (no), with southern grace and kindness, telling him about her wonderful, supportive, divorced parents. She really stretched some folks in good ways. I barely know her, but I am so proud of her! We think we have a lot in common, Miss Church of Unity and Monkfishy I. As one woman confided in me, “I’ve always been a little bit witch-y, if you know what I mean.” Pagan-y Jesus People Unite!

On the fringes of the EC frenzy were Jen and Kimmie, best friends since forever. I had a great time tossing back gin and tonics with them at Margo’s, and dishing over Cuban shiskabobs at Kim and Tim’s lovely abode. Ray, Josh, Amy and the tiny wunderkinds Aslan and Kenya round out the group of new lovelies I now know. Hurrah for people who understand the joy of a good brownie and a conversation in the corner of a happy, music filled room!

The week wrapped up with me buying half a dozen Cd’s from the convention. You can get tapes post-convention here. It’s a cheap way to get in on the good stuff. And here’s a little commercial — during my five-hour wait at the airport I listened to all three of Phyllis Tickle’s sermons twice! (When I grow up can I be her?)

Oh, and one fun final story. Around noon on Saturday I was waiting in the lobby, you know, killing time. Grace was there and we were having a nice talk. Her flight left at 3pm and mine at 6pm so we were just knocking around awhile. Brian joined us and a short time later a funny little man from the hotel came over and said, “Excuse me? But are you Mr. McClaren? Your car is ready to take you to the airport.” Unbeknownst to Brian some wiseass had gotten the reluctant super star a LIMO! So the three of us hopped in and sped off to the airport in style. I so wish I’d had my digital camera!

Hmmmm…guess there was a lot to say after all.