I have complete trust in my car's GPS (Global Positioning System). It has delivered me to vacation destinations, to businesses in Maryland, and even to addresses in the beautifully wooded maze otherwise known as Reston. It magically relieves me of the need to read maps or scribbled notes, and guides me to places I have never been. The soothing female voice is like a rich melted caramel, a pleasure to hear. My young sons call her the "GPS lady." She lets me know to "Turn left in 300 feet," or "Keep to the left to stay on I64-West." She is calm and assuring, a voice directing me with confidence and infinite knowledge of all possible turns in the road. She remains calm even when I miss an exit or decide to take a route other than the one she offers. There is no shame or scolding in her voice. She simply readjusts her directions and continues to give guidance from the altered route in her smooth and confident tone.

It has been a summer full of conducting weddings for me, which means that I have had plenty of opportunities to provide premarital counseling and to deliver wedding homilies (and to dance with Judith at receptions!). Those of you who are ordained pastors probably agree that officiating at marriage ceremonies is one of the real blessings of pastoral ministry.

Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was a night where there were severe thunderstorms and when we got to the restaurant, we realized that the power was off and the restaurant closed. Still, the owner invited us in for a glass of champagne (Bev) and a coke (Knox) to celebrate. When the sommelier tried to apologize for no electricity, Knox said, "Listen, one learns to roll with it after 21 years of marriage!"

Washington National Cathedral is a massive stone edifice, the sixth largest cathedral in the world, with a ceiling in the nave that rises 100 feet. You might think that worship in such a cavernous space would be cold and inhospitable, but this is not the case. On a sabbatical visit, I find that the cathedral has discovered ways to welcome people warmly - something that every church needs to learn how to do.