LAUNCHING
INTO SABBATICAL
The
commandment to keep Sabbath is deep in our faith story.
Sometimes
for a day, or for a fallow season, or for a Jubilee year.
In
the Gospels we see Jesus regularly going off by himself to pray.
Sabbath
Time is a time for rest, a time for study, a time to be re-energized
for life.
Ministry
personnel in the United Church are encouraged to take Sabbath Time
through regular days off, vacation time, and a Sabbatical Leave every
few years. Today we wish Gord well as he embarks on a Sabbatical
Leave starting Friday, May 8.
We
hope it will be a time of rest, a time to explore other ideas about
the church, a time to not worry about the church.
The
Sabbath Time is not just for me though, it is a time for you as well.
During
these next 4 months we will have a chance to remember the gifts that
exist in our midst.
We
will lift up the leadership of members of our community in worship,
we will hear different voices reflect on what God is doing among us.
We
will continue to support each other as we live out our faith.
It
is with gratitude for the gift of Sabbath that I enter this time of
Sabbatical. I go confident in the leadership that has been arranged
over the next 4 months.
As
we enter this new season we offer this blessing:
May
your time be restful and invigorating.
May
you learn new things, or re-learn old things.
May
you find time to restore your soul and renew your strength.
May
God be with you in the expected and the unexpected.
Gord
will return to the office on September 8 and to worship leadership on
September 13 when we will celebrate this season of our lives.
As
the hymn says:
God
be with you till we meet again...daily manna still provide you...
keep
love’s banner floating o’er you...God be with you till we meet
again. AMEN
LANDING
FROM SABBATICAL
4
months ago we entered a new season as we launched Gord into his
Sabbatical Leave. Today we enter a new season as we welcome him as he
lands back among us.
While
you were gone we had inspired worship leadership.
We
continued to live out our faith.
We
continued to respond to God’s call to us.
Now
we come back together to continue the ministry that we share.
As
we move from one season to another I invite those who took on extra
responsibility during this time of Sabbatical, particularly those who
led us in worship, to stand so we can thank you appropriately.
Sabbatical
Leave is more than a line on the call form, more than a required part
of ministry. Thank you for offering me this time of rest, of
learning, of recreation. It has been a blessing.
And
as the Sabbatical season draws to a close we pray...
God
who calls us to rest and learn and grow,
we
give thanks for the learning and sharing offered these last 4 months.
Together
we step forward into a new season seeking to grow together as
disciples of Christ, whatever the future may bring.
May you lead us
and help us to follow. Amen.
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