Wednesday

Any conference that begins with a free 10 minute chair massage is the conference for me!

What a nice surprise after registration...of course they didn't have to ask me twice...I was all over that.

This morning I started out early. Breakfast isn't provided today, so I asked the front desk for an inexpensive place to eat within walking distance. They steered me to Twin Sisters Bakery & Cafe.

A chorizo, brown rice and egg breakfast taco awaited me! Yum. Great suggestion by the waitress.

I had some free time before registration at St. Marks, so I took a stroll down to the Riverwalk...a few blocks away from the hotel. I visited San Antonio a few years ago with a group of girlfriends, so I was happy to revisit some of the places along the Riverwalk I had seen back then. The weather is tremendous. Sorry to keep bringing that up, but I just can't help it. It was in the high 40's early this morning, but by 10am, it had gotten up to the 60's. Last I checked it was in the 70's with bright sun.

There is an interesting dynamic here in SA like any city. Homelessness is apparent in the community parks, including the small one, Travis Park, I pass through from the hotel to get to St. Marks. I found out later that St. Marks does a tremendous amount of outreach right outside their own door in that park with community meals, especially.

I spend the early afternoon at St. Mark's registering and talking with the members who are organizing this conference. Kate Gillooly, from the Diocese of Ohio, is President. In the welcome packet she writes that this conference theme is "Marked as Christ's Own." Exploring our baptismal covenant, spirituality, sense of call and opportunities for nurture, refreshment and inspiration through networking and workshops are our focus over these next few days.

St. Mark's has a rich history. They established in 1858 and continued to grow to one of the largest Episcopal churches in the country outside of New York City. In the 1970's they faced a decline in membership, but in the late 1980's new steps they took reversed that trend. They made parking more abundant, introduced mission trips to Mexico and Central America, and introduced new and innovative worship services...contemporary, youth based, and "come as you are."

I talked with Sharon Pearson earlier this afternoon and she was happy to see so many Connecticut parishes represented here (Darien, Norwalk and Greenwich are the others).

In a few hours begins the welcome banquet (no need for dressing up, I'm told. Everyone is casual in jeans, slacks and casual skirts) and Eucharist.

Here is a nifty shot of St. Mark's. I'll check in after the events of tonight.