and keep it Holy

-
Originally published in the South Jetty Newspaper
In Hebrew scripture, Moses brought down 10 Commandments (which led to the need for much clarification leading to 613 commandments, and the great simplification by Jesus back to just 2.) One of my first mentors pointed out that the most commonly broken of the 10 commandments is "honor the sabbath and keep it holy." Now, if you know me, you will know I'm not a fundamentalist literalist; I'm not advocating for everyone to take Saturday off; what would the tourists do?

I do advocate for taking the spirit of that law, and finding time on a regular basis to remember that God is God, and we are not. We are to take holy rest: spend time recreating and in prayer. When we do that, we practice trust that things will carry on without our constant attention. Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. I try to do that most Fridays, though it doesn't always work out.

In that same spirit, my church encourages clergy to take a sabbatical every seven years. A time away from the daily demands of parish ministry to focus on renewal and rejuvenation. I was ordained in June of 2006, and I'm looking forward to taking my first sabbatical starting next month. I am grateful to my Bishop and vestry for granting the sabbatical. I'll be away from Trinity by the Sea for 4 months while some outstanding visiting clergy come to cover services (including The Rev. Doug Schwert who was here just before I came in 2012.) The theme of my sabbatical is "Create in me a clean heart," from Psalm 51. I'll be doing things that are fun and re-creative for me including touring a concert with a friend, taking a surf trip with my family, recording an album, and writing. I won't be writing this column though, so I'm signing off for a while. 

It seems to be coming at a good time for our church, and for my family. I look forward to taking this time of rest, and returning refreshed to this place we love, to step into a new season of ministry. This also gives the congregation a break from my preaching! It is a time of renewal for them, too. There is a shift that happens, or so I'm told by clergy who have taken a sabbatical recently. The rest brings greater health, and clearer direction, but that's a conversation for later. 

For now, South Jetty readers (and staff!) I just want to say thank you. I am grateful to get to be a priest here at Trinity by the Sea, to serve our community among our fellow clergy at other churches, and to get to live in Port Aransas with my family; see you soon!    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

plastic: a spiritual perspective

-
Image
Plastic bag in front of Trinity by the Sea On a recent trip to Austin, I was surprised and delighted not to be handed a plastic bag when I checked out of a grocery store. I wasn't buying much, so I was able to carry out my things without remembering to bring in my reusable bags. For some time now, I've gotten in the habit of turning down plastic bags in convenience stores when they try to put my humble bag of sunflower seeds, lonely, in another bag. The plastic grocery bag has become like a handshake at the end of the deal: it seems to make the shopping experience complete. It is such an ingrained habit, that the person behind the cash register sometimes gets a suspicious look when I ask for no bag, as if thinking, "This yahoo is threatening our way of life!" I think about habits a lot, as a Christian of the Episcopal persuasion. Our practices and our experiences in everyday life shape the way we understand our relationship with God, with others, and with ours
Read more

movin' the tide

-
Image
I recently saw a performance by Shinyribs Russell and heard him tell the background story on his song, " Who Built the Moon ." He told a funny story about a conspiracy theorist's idea the moon was built by someone. I like the song for what it is, never mind the conspiracy. That song went through my head again and again this weekend as the Super Moon rose from the gulf horizon, sailed across the sky, and set over the bay. The moon, "hangin' in the sky, shakin' the oceans, and movin' the tide" has long shaped our human lives. It has helped us mark time, it can guide us in our fishing habits, and it inspires artists, musicians, and fireside philosophers. Life looks different in the moonlight. On Sunday morning, as I finished writing my sermon, I took a break to walk outside to see the Super Moon set, and I caught it hanging in the porch of the church. That night, Laura, Eli, and I went to the beach to watch it rise again. Someone told me it's t
Read more
-
Image
For the past three years, I have preached the Gospel Easter Morning including a pop song. The first year it was Widespread Panic's Diner . Last year Prince's I Would Die For You , and this year, the Grateful Dead's Ripple. Music is so inspiring to me, and it is an easy connection to relate to God, Resurrection, and new life through some of my favorite songs, even when they don't use traditional church language. Easter Morning 2023 My earliest impression of the Grateful Dead was as a pre-teen, staying the night at long time friends of my parents and sharing a room with Monroe their son. Earlier in the day Monroe had sent me down a fairly steep hill on his old bike which had no brakes. I managed to stop by veering off the road into the open arms of a magnolia tree. Monroe was so cool. So that night, after having some Neapolitan ice cream we watched MTV. If you remember MTV, you’ll understand how excited he was that a music video of one of his favorite bands, the Grateful
Read more