The 42nd annual CSC is now in the books.

The gorgeous Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center was matched by the warm and kind hospitality of the staff and some 40 volunteers from Champion Forest Baptist Church. There they all were, smiling and helping more than 400 CSC attendees locate various locales, just a few hours after the Fire Marshall and elevator inspectors granted approval.

Their tireless 24/7 work created the perfect ambiance to generate a great deal of scholarly joy; a perfect venue for a stunning lineup of internationally known speakers, exceptional scholarship, provocative theme, and serious academics who enjoy one another and consider themselves "a family of scholars."

Attorney Fred Gray's presence for Dr. Willie Jennings' plenary and the honor Dr. Jennings gave Attorney Gray, in addition to the session with Lanier, Lowry and Gray were personal highlights for me. Witnessing these moments has been a source of deep joy.

Several papers, because of helpful critiques, are likely headed to publication. I heard some excellent work. New avenues of collaboration were discovered and dialogue deepened.

I welcome your feedback (which I promise to carefully read), would love to post additional pictures you may have taken at the conference and welcome your stories of collaboration, constructive feedback and stimulating dialogue from the 2023 CSC.

Please contact me at david.fleer@lipscomb.edu.

P.S. This week we received word that the quilt created during the 2022 CSC and displayed at this year's conference has been accepted for the 2023 International Quilt Festival in Houston, November 1-5.

The Houston show is, for those of us who are not quilters, the equivalent of making it to the World Series. So, best wishes to Mary Lou and "our" quilt!

David F