Some of you have been in touch recently with the observation that we haven’t updated the USA web page… in quite a while! Well, the plain truth of the matter is we don’t really have much to say. 2008 proved to be a year of ‘life happens’ for most of the leadership on both sides of the Atlantic – involving illness, aging parents, moving, job changes, shift in ministries, and embarking on new ventures. So, planning and pulling off regional gatherings just wasn’t possible. And, given some of the feedback, we aren’t sure that bigger regional get-togethers are the best way to facilitate community here in the US. So for the near future, we will most likely not be planning any major events/gatherings – with the possible exception of those party people out in Minnesota, who just love to get together and have a good time! Must be the great weather…

The USA presents a number of obstacles for ‘community’ which we have been contemplating and discussing. The level of interest that folks have shown is almost as wide spread as the vast distances which separate us. Some of you are content to be on the mailing list and just receive the ‘news’… others are longing for more connection with real people (as opposed to the virtual kind) and a few have expressed the sentiment that Northumbria feels like ‘home’ and have inquired about a deeper journey. Please know that we take all of this in – and take it seriously! We think a lot, pray a lot, talk some, and move slowly. We are presently in conversation about how to connect people who are asking for more involvement – while at the same time respecting privacy. We are all about relationship and it is hard to build those relationships over the internet. We want to be responsible both to you and to who we are as the Northumbria Community. So – please bear with us! Be patient! And check back occasionally for updates – which we are hoping will be more often then every two years!