When I began at Hope United Church of Christ five years ago it was with the eagerness of discovery that I came to each meeting, each gathering of people, and each worship. I could imagine no place I would rather be. I was learning and listening and discovering more and more about the congregation, its history and its personality. I know there is still much more to learn and many more stories to hear but it is time for a break.
This will be my last BLOG post for a while. I am entering in to a period of refreshment and renewal. My three month sabbatical begins next Monday and I will be traveling nearly two thirds of the time. The goal is rest and regeneration of my spirit.
During the month of May I am beginning the time away with two weeks of being at home and with Peggy. We will do some short camping trips, just a couple of hours away from home, with the intent being to just rest my mind and tend to some relaxation time. In the middle of the month I will be attending the Festival of Homiletics, held in Denver this year, it is a week-long opportunity to hear some of the best preachers in the country share important thoughts and practice their craft. I am excited about that opportunity to hear and observe the best.
Next Peggy and I will enjoy two different opportunities to have some family time. First we are being visited by Peggy’s oldest and her significant other then we are visiting Texas where our oldest grandchild graduates high school.
Following that I will be taking some time for spiritual development by attending a ten day silent meditation retreat at Dhamma Visuddhi, then another family week, this one on the beach in Mississippi, and finally a two week trip on my motorcycle through the mountains of Colorado, camping and hiking as much as possible. In short the sabbatical is made up of an educational opportunity, spiritual development, and some time in nature; interspersed with some meaningful family time. It will be awesome. I am deeply appreciative to my church for granting this time away and helping to pay for some of the opportunities that I have.
When I return I am certain that I will have stories to tell, some sharpened skills, and a new fresh outlook on the future of my ministry. I will be journaling a lot while gone so that the memories and events will remain with me and I will be storing away insights to life that I hope will enable me to reflect thoughtfully on how we encounter the sacred in our lives. I look forward to returning and rediscovering the congregation with a fresh look and a refreshed spirit. I look forward to being able to listen and learn in a newly relaxed way being once again the calm presence through which I am empowered to serve that which is sacred in this place. I look forward to having a fresh new outlook and a renewed introspective view through which to see all the good that happens through all the people that comprise of Hope UCC. I still cannot imagine anyplace I would rather be than serving Hope.
Blessings Friends!
