The conference wrapped up today. In the morning we met at Grace Cathedral to look at some of their worship spaces and talk about how they work and don't work. Side note, Grace has famously bad acoustics for speaking (huge reverb) and recently invested in a new sound system based on the same technology that I advocated for SMM--linear array speakers. They are so thin (about 3 inches) as to be virtually invisible against the columns, but thanks to sophisticated digital sound processing they create an incredibly articulate perception of the spoken word. I hear that SMM did get a new sound system, but I havedn't heard it.
Anway, after spending some time at Grace we went back to St. Greg's and experienced their famous food pantry first hand. They typtically distribute food to about 500 people, and what's really interesting is that this ministry supports itself entirely thanks to a few key gifts and low overhead. It's only costs about $1 per person, and they can raise that easily enough. so at this point they have used the extra money they raise to found 14 other food pantries throughout the city. It's an amazing story worth more desciprtion, but suffice it to say that they are clearly doing God's word and it's a beautiful to behold. The stories of how this ministry has changed people's lives can easily move you to tears to hear.
Afer that we spent time listening to each other talk about change how it can transform communtities in amazing ways. After that there was time to reflect as a group about what we had been through, and then it was over. Now I have another few days to enjoy SF and then it's back to Toronto. So much to share when I get there. These last few days have been amazing!
-t
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