Pastor Gail Irwin (Preble), Pastor Scott Marrese-Wheeler (Marshfield), and Lay Pastor Jean Hamersky attended the Washington Island Forum sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches and The Christian Century, July 9-13. Dr. Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia was the speaker and Rev. Lee Ann Bryce from Rochester, New York was the forum daily worship leader. Each morning began with a fresh and meaningful worship time that renewed the soul, and then the engaging and dynamic Dr. Long spoke about the changing and competing voices of preaching today. It was a time of worship, study, fellowship, good food, and relaxation on beautiful Washington Island. About 200 people were in attendance.

Next year’s Washington Island Forum will be in June and the speaker will be Diana Butler-Bass, who will be speaking on The Practicing Congregation: Imagining the New Old Church.

submitted by Jean Hamersky