Holiday
I wonder how many of you will actually read this update? It is after all a holiday weekend, a break from the rhythms that give shape to our lives. Maybe that means more will read it, given the extra discretionary time? Maybe it means less will take a look as your normal reading rhythm is disrupted?
On the topic of rhythms, the session thought it would be good to highlight an upcoming sabbatical that has been granted to me as your pastor to be taken in 2022, and perhaps you saw this referenced in the congregational report. Throughout the history of Christ Church a policy of granting pastors time away from normal ministry activity has existed to allow pastors time to renew, re-center, and reconnect for continued service in the church. This is a common practice among my ministerial colleagues throughout the denomination and has its roots in creation. In creation, God modeled sabbath for us by resting on the seventh day and made it part of his people’s life in scripture. Every seventh day was to be a Sabbath day. Likewise, every seventh year for the nation of Israel was a Sabbath year. All this is a reminder that our lives are ultimately headed for an eternal Sabbath with Jesus in heaven.
Our sabbatical policy is based on this seven year cycle as well (though COVID pushed us back actually to an eight year fulfillment). As mentioned above, sabbatical is a time to renew, re-center, and reconnect for continued service to the church. It is not exactly a vacation, nor is it exactly like an academic sabbatical filled with writing and teaching; it is somewhere in the middle, encompassing aspects of both. It is like taking a car in for a long, comprehensive tune-up so it can continue down the road for many more miles. Collectively there is positive support and anticipation from me and my family, as well as from the elders and staff. More information will be forthcoming, and feel free to ask questions if you have them. Here is a copy of the proposal that was approved by session.
This Sunday begins our Advent series as we approach Christmas this year through the pondering eyes and heart of Mary. Mary's journey was the subject of our “Magnify” Arts & Rec Camp this past summer. A great preparation for this series would be to get out the book Magnify! Pondering the Life of Jesus with Mary that was written, illustrated and produced by our Christ Church family for that event! More copies of this book will be available this Sunday and in the coming weeks if your family does not have one. While we will be looking through the eyes of Mary, she is not our focus. Advent is that great time of anticipating the coming of Jesus, the promised King. We start this week with the beginning of Mary's journey, the annunciation (Luke 1:26-45).
Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash