Much of our editorial staff returned home from Seward, NE, late last week where the Synod was holding the Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music. I won't try for a full review here, especially since due to other commitments I was unable to catch the whole conference - I was only there the last couple days. But our esteemed Senior Editor will have a full review out shortly (I can sum it up, though: Fantastic!).

I'm sure each editor who was present will have his own favorite aspect to the institute but mine was the Vanilla. Everything that happened in the worship and that was modeled to the participants was Vanilla - it wasn't flashy, unattainable, or over the top. It wasn't Razzleberry Turnover Surprise. It wasn't Chocolate Dipped Fleetwood Mac Smoked Bacon. It was good old Vanilla.

The best Vanilla, mind you: the kind with only three ingredients and the black flecks of real vanilla bean, but it was Vanilla: Lutheran, from the hymnal, reverent, natural, and doable. 

Kudos to Pastor Weedon and all the folks who put this wonderful Institute on for the Glory of God and  as an example to our Synod! I'm already looking forward to the next one....and I'll make of point of not double booking family vacation this time!

+HRC