Nicole’s e-Pistle

September 24, 2025

Greetings, Friends!

By the time you read this e-Pistle, I will be well underway at the CREDO Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. I arrived in Little Rock in the early afternoon and had some downtime before the welcome reception, dinner, and orientation yesterday evening. Today has been packed with a morning worship service and a break-out session on “Sacred Rhythm.” This afternoon, I’ll get to meet the people in my small group and have some personal time before dinner. We’ll round out the evening with another breakout session after dinner with refreshments afterward. Then, I fully plan to crash hard after a phone call with my babies!!

Speaking of the babies, Layfe and Lovinia loaded me up with stuffies and a unicorn blanket to snuggle with at night when I miss them too much! We did something similar when I went to India for two weeks as part of my Master of Divinity program at CTS. I took pictures of notable theologians, priests, and tour guides holding Layfe’s Pikachu and Lovinia’s Minnie Mouse stuffies, and each person thought it was precious that I was involving my kids on the journey. I’m afraid I won’t have ancient Hindu shrines or Orthodox cathedrals to show them, but I suppose conference rooms and small group spaces will have to work.

As I said on Sunday, if you have any pastoral care concerns while I am away, please contact the church office or Dick Neelly. Also, I hope you have a wonderful worship experience with Grace Johnson on Sunday. She is excited for the opportunity to lead you in worship and practice her preaching skills in front of a live congregational “audience.” I will arrive back in Chattanooga Monday evening, so remember, no Lunch Bunch or Prayer Group next week. I’ll also be out of the office on Tuesday to rest and do laundry, so I look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday – especially at the Ladies Luncheon!

You are all in my heart and mind and prayers this week and always! I love you, and I’ll miss you while I’m away.

Blessings and Peace!