John Stanko

I had the chance last week to go to New York with a friend to visit Yankee Stadium one more time before they close it down and open the new one across the street.  My friend, Bruce, and I got tickets but we didn't know they were in the next to the last row behind home plate.  I am including a picture for you to see how high up we were (click on it to get a bigger view). Yet is was a special night, even though the Yankees lost to the White Sox.  Last Sunday, the Yankees played the last game there after 85 years of special moments. 

While Bruce and I were in New York, we took the double-decker bus rides to both uptown and downtown and, even though I've been to New York many times over the years, I learned a lot more about the city.  We ate in Little Italy, where the festival of San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, was taking place.  I got to see my two children (they came to Paesano's in Little Italy) and John III joined us for lunch the next day at the Carnegie Deli on 7th Avenue.  We took the 4 Subway to and from the stadium and parked in the theater district both days, which made it easy to get in and out of the city (we stayed in New Jersey because the city hotels were all so expensive).  All in all, we had a grand time.

Since I've been home, I have been busy with various projects and school.  I am on the board of directors for two new ministries that I have come to know over the last few months and I have initial meetings with those organizations this week.  I am spending a lot of time at the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry, where I enjoy working with the adult students and Karla Byrd, the director (Karla is the woman on the home page of my new website with whom I am sitting on the bench). 

I just finished helping one person publish her book and now I am working to help three others write theirs.  This means I am involved doing some ghost writing, consulting and editing work for those three.  This is something I believe I am supposed to do on a regular basis as I come alongside others to help make their work a reality

Not much else new to report.  I have some blog entry ideas that I hope to get to over the next day or two.  Stay tuned.