By Peg McGonigal
It was Friday, the 13th of December, and Winter Storm Alfred was predicted. Members of the Planning Task Force would meet in person for the first time – if they all arrived safely from the East Coast and Upper Midwest. After meeting via conference call for five months, it was great to finally meet each other in person.
A passionate bunch from various backgrounds, we were eager to experience St. Louis first-hand. The enthusiasm for all things St. Louis expressed by Angie Vorholt-Wilsey, local arrangements chair, was contagious. It became obvious – early in our task – that the Gateway Arch should be a part of the title for the conference. A symbol of all the best a pioneer spirit has to offer, the Arch seemed to be a fitting symbol for the new opportunities for chaplaincy employing strategies of compassionate leadership.
A passionate bunch from various backgrounds, we were eager to experience St. Louis first-hand.