Australia Speaking Tour 2007 - July 26th, 2007

06:11 am - Final Conference in Perth

G'Day Mates,

I gave my final conference today in Perth! I began yesterday with a 2 hour conversation with 15 leaders in Children's Ministries in Perth. Then at 6pm that same day, I led a shortened version of the full day conference. Then today I led an all day conference with 24 people. The number of participants is important to now go over 30 people. That way I could make connections with each person there and feel like we've gone beyond, "Hello my name is" to a deeper connection. Each table grouping, intentionally mixing up people who come from the same church so people can talk to new people and further connecting children's ministries in the Uniting Church, became itself a community. Stories and responses to Scripture and quotes were shared in the table setting so that they would know their tablemates in a deeper way. Groups of 4-5 are as large as small groups should be in order for everyone to have a turn to speak and to have responses from others as stories are shared.

A bit tired tonight. My host couple, the man who is the key point person on the Perth, Western Australia event, had a serious injury on a finger as he was trying to role the trailer that holds all the equipment for the conference. Stitches for sure, maybe broken.

Another long flight tomorrow. Perth all the way east to Sydney. An overnight in Sydney, than an early morning flight to Auckland, New Zealand for a much need vacation.

I'll post more photos and stories when I've got more energy. Will try to do this tomorow depending on flight times.

I hope you are enjoying reading the blog. Sometimes I rattle on and sometimes I rattle on with nothing to say at all - like tonight!


Cheryl