A peachy time in Atlanta

Sorry it’s been quiet around here.  I was out all day — and it was quite an adventure.

I was invited to give the keynote at the convocation of deacons in the Archdiocese of Atlanta — so I was up at 3:30 (yes, a.m.) to get to the airport before 5, and catch a 6 a.m. flight.  I arrived at Atlanta’s cathedral at exactly 9, just as the deacons began processing down the aisle, and I got a glimpse of Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s mitered head as he walked by.

The morning was wonderful, with a nice buffet breakfast, and it was great to meet the deacons (and their wives) from Hotlanta.  Archbishop Gregory was gracious and funny, (and he had kind things to say about a frequent visitor here, Deacon Bill Ditewig.) They wear the collar down there, which prompted me to crack, “It’s great to be here and experience two things we don’t have in Brooklyn: deacons with collars, and grits.”

The best lines, however, belonged to Auxiliary Bishop Luis Zarama, who closed the proceedings with a final blessing and told all the deacons: “Remember always to remain humble.  Because everything good will be because of  your pastor, and everything that goes wrong will always be your fault.”  That line should be part of the ordination ritual.

So, hats off to Deacon Dennis Dorner and Deacon Steve Swope, who made it all possible, and managed to get me back to the airport in time for my 2:40 flight home. Thank you for a wonderful trip.

Now, I crash.

Tomorrow: preaching at 11:30, and then 15 baptisms — yes, 15 — in the afternoon.

Is this a great ministry, or what?