Yesterday and today I have been attending Covenant Keepers 2009. Covenant Keepers is the clergy gathering of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. The speaker for this event was our new Bishop, Rev. Gregory Palmer. The theme has been "O for Grace to Trust God More."

Bishop Palmer's two presentations yesterday were fantastic. One interesting note about the Bishop which I certainly appreciated is that he said he likes movies. He said he likes movies with redeeming social value and he like movies with no redeeming social value. As a fellower lover of the storytelling genre of our time, I say AMEN.

Rev. Keith Anderson talked about the Central Conference Pension Initiative. He has challenged IGRC to raise $2 million in the next five years for CCPI. There is a brief video on the website you can watch and personal stroies. Check it out. Is God calling you, out of your abundance, to give?

Mike Rayson and Grant Norsworthy have been doing awesome job of leading worship. I will write more a bit later about Mike's thoughts about "Jesus is my boyfriend" songs.

Bishop Palmer is giving his final presentation this morning. This morning he is talking about the parable of the talents. He pointed out that the householder CHOSE those in the story. He reminds us that we have been chosen as well. He challenges us not to engage in "if only" thinking. He says we have everything we need to be in service to God.

WOW. This Bishop can preach. More later.