A few years ago, I gathered with national Canadian Baptist leaders to think about missional leadership. I met old friends and made new ones as we gathered at a Presbyterian retreat centre at Crieff, just south of Guelph, Ontario. One branch of my direct ancestry settled to farm in the area not ten minutes away, in 1836. The Oakes family had arrived from the little village of Cratfield in Suffolk, England.

I sometime walk in the woods at Crieff. I spent a day a week away there for awhile when working on my doctoral thesis in the restored milk house called 'The Hermitage' I walked the trails and savoured the idyllic splendour of the woods not far beyond the barn in the photo.

There's a particular place one trail takes me. And sitting on a bench at the border of forest and field I absorb again words of a sign, words of wonder and benediction that I've often used since. They've blest my life - and will I hope yours . . .

High as the sun and stars above are the Father's plans of love - beyond our comprehension;
No human mind could e'er conceive the plans by which the Father leads His chosen ones, His own.
Go then in peace and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you, now and always.

Amen.