Over the last several days, Gert Corrigan (Iron Mountain), Audrey Bauer (Crystal Falls), Judy Britton (Little Lake), Maria Maniaci (Gladstone) and I have been in Atlanta for the Biennial Conference of the North American Association for the Diaconate (NAAD). (Four years ago, it was held in Florida, two years ago Toronto, and two years from now: Seattle.) I serve on the Board of NAAD.

It was a tremendous gathering. The theme was "Light the Fire Within". There were workshops on such topics as

• Ministry to the Incarcerated
• Diversity Includes Disability
• The Good News is for Everybody (about racism)
• Online Learning (continuing education offerings)
• Serving God's Creation (environmental issues)
• Dripping Wax and burning Fingers (liturgy)
• Peace-making and non-violence
• Spirituality

There were also keynote addresses by Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta, and several deacons, talking about how they keep their fire burning, as they continue their active and busy ministries. Field trips were taken to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and the Jimmy Carter Center (both located there in Atlanta). Various options were given for prayer. And there was a gathering for members of the Third Order of St Francis (a number of whom were present).

As usual, there were many opportunities for side conversations and friendships and networking amongst the 145 plus deacons gathered from all over the U.S. and Canada.

Those of us who attended are discussing how we might bring some of these workshops to the diocese at future Diaconal Ministry Conferences in our diocese. It was truly worth the trip and the time given for this remarkable convocation. I invite you to speak with any of us who were there to learn more about it.

Jim