Nov 8

(Community Matters) Busy weekend – have forgotten to post.  Glimmer of Hope’s annual event Friday night – outstanding.  They created an experiential evening and funded schools, medical clinics and wells for an Ethiopian village. Saw so many friends there including Donna & Philip Berber (natch), Sarah Aragona (in charge of the event for Glimmer), Isabel Welland, Joe & Sandra Aragona, Ross Garber, Scott Harrison, AG Tharp & Doug Ulman, Molly & Ed Sharp, Suzanne & Marc Winkelman, Lisa Kasling Andrews, Suzanne Bryant & Sarah Goodfriend, Chris Earthman & so many more

Kent Portman’s memorial service – Steve Davis and friends organized a very nice memorial service for Kent and Steve delivered a beautiful, very intimate eulogy.  It was striking to pick up an invite to a halloween party Kent had addressed and stamped.  Hearing of his unwavering faith in an afterlife was comforting.

Jazz at St. James Episcopal Church – even better this year.  Diane Land, Steve Adler & Luke Hayes joined us for the banquet and concert.  I was proud to introduce Steve and Diane to our second home – gotta be one of the most if not the most diverse places in Austin (racially, economically).  There’s a lesson about how we suspend our many differences,. come together in community & agree to love each other as members of St James. Keith Braithwaite and his committee blew the doors off with JASJ this year (again).

Sunday Jazz Service – totally rocked yesterday.  Loved that Molly & Ed Sharp joined us for the service.  Donald Harrison & Joe Morales battling saxophones (actually, more complimentary saxophones) with fierce full band accompaniment & the St. James choirs (10 & 6).  Music is part of St James’ DNA.  Gina Houston was riveting delivering her sermon about jazz, about St James, about our history – she never spoke of our future and I assume others saw it forming in their mind’s eye too.

Then, joined Rachel & Michael Feferman for Fonda San Miguel brunch.  Hard to love two young people anymore – they think about important matters, are intentional about making a difference, work hard in their careers & are just inherently lovely people.

Bill Adams & Amy Donohue-Adams going away dinner (the lasagnas – good; the beet salad – ok; butternut squash soup – nice but needed spicing up; asparagus – yuk, I cooked too early; great wines – thanks BB – Stags Leaps’s Petite Syrah & Sancerres). Hard to believe they are leaving Austin – indeed they do on Nov 17.  Rudy Green & Joyce Christian, Bill & Caren Bradshaw and Riley Carruthers joined us to laugh, a little cry, tell stories and celebrate friendships. Amy & Bill have so helped define St James for me – their departure suggests a new phase in the church’s life.  As two of mine & Steven’s closest friends since we came together, it’s hard to see them leave Austin, and I’m excited about visits to Whidbey Island