One year ago I was in St Louis for the 2014 annual meeting of the National Conference for Catechetical Leaders (NCCL). Unknowingly, it was the last time I would hug a man who had been a mentor to me throughtout the 20+years of my service as a religious education leader. NCCL executive director, Lee Nagel, died unexpectedly the weekend after the conference concluded. A few days later I found myself standing at his graveside in northern Wisconsin, praying him into the full embrace of God.
Today, I am in Buffalo at the opening of the 2015 NCCL annual meeting. I enter the plenary session space to experience my friend again in the environment and in the prayer.
Lee taught me the power of art and space to tell meaningful stories, of attending to the stuff around us to offer doorways to encountering God through all five senses. He also showed me how to remain authenticly hopeful in the dance of being true to God and yourself while also responding to the call to be a servant leader.
Lee, you were and remain a point where ordinary and extraordinary meet in an explosion of grace. Thank you!
Graceful Intersections 