December 23-29

Hi Everyone, my apologies for posting this late. There really was only one scripture that I could choose for this week, so I invite you to join me in looking at the second chapter of Luke.

Luke 2

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom God's favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reflection on John 21:1-14

For the last few months this text has been roaming around in my brain, popping into my consciousness on occasion. I think it’s because during the process of the setting of new priorities that occurred here in the General Council Offices, we heard that there is a longing “out there” for “outside the box thinking,” for something to “push the church beyond its comfort zone.” It seems the church is asking us to put our nets on the other side of the boat in the hopes that we’ll come up with a big catch of some kind.

I also find intriguing the image of the disciples who, all night long, cast their net and came up empty, yet never thought to try another approach. Of course, they never gave up either! So there is something about their persistence in the midst of continued emptiness that intrigues me.

There’s also that part about Peter needing to put on his clothes in order to swim in to meet Jesus. Why did he need to cover himself? Did he feel too vulnerable? Perhaps there was something he wanted to hide from Jesus. Or maybe it just wasn’t a nude beach.

So, what does all this have to do with Sabbath? I think people do long to live a life of meaning, we long for something larger than ourselves. In a report that will go to our unit’s (CECM) working committee I wrote, “Perhaps it’s not so much that we live in a secular society and that is why people are no longer filling our churches. Perhaps it is that churches have become so secularized that they are no longer filling our souls.” I wonder if this Sabbath practice is a way of putting our net on the others side of the boat. I wonder if it will fill us.

At times I’m also finding the ritual somewhat empty. It’s like a forced thing that I do because I said I’d do it, but I’m not quite comfortable with it. But I’m trying to persist and I’m wondering if I need feel true emptiness so that I can allow Christ to fill me.

I also think sometimes about the ways that I might feel the need to put on some clothes before I jump into the sea to meet Jesus. Why is it so difficult to be completely vulnerable when it comes to living a life of faith?

Well, I’m sure this text won’t leave me for a while. I still find many images from it that I’m not sure that I understand. Who knows, maybe when my turn for choosing a text and writing the blog comes around again in March, it will still be with me.

All peace to you,

Amy

Text for December 16-22

Friends -

Here is the text for this week. I'll blog on it later.

Amy

John 21:1-14
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

The Candle of Love

I was having a conversation this morning with colleagues about the ministry of youth and young adults. We talked about how hard it is that people expect us in youth ministry to be trying to get youth to participate in church every Sunday morning. I struggle with that myself. And the truth is, our effort in youth ministry is to try to create a culture of deep spiritual engagement. This doesn't happen much in church. At least it doesn't happen in many of the congregations I've attended. This separation of secular and spiritual may have once been as easy as society and church but we can't really say that anymore. I've experienced church professionals who don't want to get involved in spiritual disciplines for a number of reasons. Church (believe it or not) is not mainly a spiritual institution for many. For some it's a morality watchdog, for others, a business and for others, a place of civic responsibility. When people ask me about my model for youth ministry, it amkes me wonder about their model for church.

Well, it's been my turn this week to make a post, and I've found myself as caught up in work as ever... probably even moreso, with an unexpected flu, and the sudden rush of last minute work creeping up on everyone's pile...

And so, I have decided to cheat a bit... and post someone else's reflection. When I read it, I realized that it seemed to contain the kernel of purpose to this year of Sabbath we have begun. And it also speaks to that special clash of overwork and overconsumption that hits us in Advent and Christmas... a time that can feel so spiritually devoid to people, whether Christian or not:

Moderator's Christmas Message 2007: The Candle of Love

Greetings, friends, in this season of Advent, anticipation, and longing. I hope that this message finds you encountering God’s new birth among us in ways that inspire you and your passion for living the Way of Christ in the world.

Let me tell you a short story about an experience that inspired me and builds me up at this time of year. It was the usual busy week leading up to Christmas—hospital visits, communion for those who are shut-in, delivering Christmas hampers, and carolling. Christmas Eve brought the hot crush of visitors and many wired-up children for worship.

By Christmas morning, I was feeling the kind of tired that many people in ministry feel on Christmas. I arrived at the sanctuary early and was enjoying the sun slanting in through the windows and the silence of the big, empty room. I set up a small table at the front of the sanctuary, laid a tablecloth on it, and set out the ceramic crèche from the altar and put the Advent wreath beside it. I knew there would be a small group this Christmas morning, and by 11:00 o’clock there were 9 or 10 of us gathered around the table. First the children told the Christmas story to us in their own words using the ceramic figures, moving the cows and shepherds, Mary and Joseph around the space. We sang familiar Christmas songs and gave thanks to God for Jesus’ birth among us.

Then we used a liturgy that was written by a young man who had grown up in our congregation who was now a minister elsewhere. The liturgy invited us as we lit each Advent candle to some activity or to answer some question. We lit the candle of hope, for example, and went around the circle and talked about the places in the world where we find hope. When we got to the fourth candle, the candle of love, the invitation was to go around the circle and say to each person by name, “I love you and God loves you.” It’s quite an experience to have our friends say to us, “David, God loves you and I love you.” It’s a powerful experience to say to my brothers and sisters in our little church community, “Cindy—or George—I love you and God loves you.”

Well, when it became time for Sarah, a young mom, to go around the circle, she did like the rest of us. We went around and there were warm tears and friendly laughter after each turn. She came to Matteo, her seven-year-old son, and she said, “Matteo, I love you and God loves you.” And here is the breathtaking moment for me. Matteo simply said, “I know.”

I don’t know when it is that we forget or stop trusting that we are beloved. I do know that that is part of the promise of the birth story that we hear at this time of the year. A reminder that God loves us and that we are beloved. And we come to church, we come into Christian community, to be reminded of that and to learn how to live that love in the world.

My prayer for you, and for the strangers who will worship with us on Christmas Eve, and for those we reach out to in the world is that somehow you and they will hear through the voice of The United Church of Canada, “God loves you and we love you.” And that it will be said and enacted through our life together with such truth that they will be able to respond simply, “I know.” Because there begins the journey of faith with God—with the story of our belovedness expressed through the birth of a small child born in a manger.

Peace be with you. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. David Giuliano, 39th Moderator (2006-2009)

Sheep and Shepherds

Scripture passage for this week is Matthew 9:35-38:

Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" (from The Message)

Out of the pit, onto the rock of Sabbath!

God put a new song in my mouth! I will sing, sing a new song. I feel as though God has indeed heard our cry as a church, the cry and lament we hear in the words of the Call To Purpose:

"We long for a deeper relationship with God.
We long for deeper connections with one another.
We acknowledge the brokeness, pain and fear that we carry.
We believe that our spirituality and prophetic voice spring from once source
and are lived in one body!"

I have always loved this psalm though I've never considered myself a patient person. The imagery of lifting one out of the miry bog, the desolate pit to a solid place, a rock where one's footsteps are firm really captures my attention. I truly believe that God has finally heard our cry from the world of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and has set us upon a rock which is the practice of sabbath, and we are now called to tell the great congregation of the glad news of this deliverance.

Last weekend we had our annual Riverbend United Church youth retreat and the theme for the weekend was "I will follow you into the dark." The first night the leaders invited the youth to exactly that. The leaders and the youth walked into a dark space in silence, no questions were asked, and there we waited in silence. A single candle was lit in the middle of the room and after another minute different voices were heard in the circle reading the words from Psalm 23. There was a sense of mystery, trust, and spiritual stirring in the room as we prepared to embark on this theme for the rest of the weekend together. From the dark we emerged into the light where we reflected on what comes next after our time here on Earth is over. The youth then spent some time in a spiritual practice of creating a mandala depicting their understanding of the afterlife. The colours, and the designs held what I can only describe as hope and spirit. The experience was moving.
But I'm left wondering, who in my life would I be willing to follow into the dark? The dark holds the unknown, it holds great fear, but it also holds the quiet and the work of the Holy Spirit. Parker Palmer in his book "Let Your Life Speak; Listening for the Voice of Vocation" reminds us of the importance of sharing our shadowed selves, our times of darkness with others. Too often we focus on the light, and yet when we are lost, it is hearing about other's struggles and fears that often bring us the most comfort and the most learnings. Palmer writes "Our frequent failure as leaders to deal with our inner lives leaves too many individuals and institutions in the dark." (p.91) I can think of a few people who have modelled leading from a place where they have done their inner work, and who have taught me how to lead from the places of darkness not just the light. The integrity that these people have shown is astounding and the results of this risk have been illuminating, life changing and inspiring.
It is in honour of these people that I share with you the shadows for me in youth and young adult ministry.

• the shadow of not having my ministry understood or valued by others, the institute of the church or those in power.
• the fear of placing youth in high risk situations where they could be hurt by well intentioned people.
• the shadow belief that programs are youth ministry. That time spent in groups and programs are more valuable then time spent in building relationships. That numbers justify this work.
• The crippling fear that I will miss opportunities or signs that youth are in need of support or understanding because I'm distracted by the "work" of the church or because I am too tired, or burnt out.
  

When these fears or these shadows take over, when we are mired in the bog, or stuck in the desolate pit we are leading from a place of fear. The psalmist reminds me that God has answered my cry, and has given me the practice of sabbath as my rock, as my solid ground where my footsteps are firm. I now believe with all my heart that doing our inner work is just as important as doing our outer work. When we do our inner work, "we now stand on ground that will support us, ground from which we can lead others toward a more trustworthy, more helpful, more faithful way of being in the world." (Palmer, "Let Your Life Speak" p. 94)
God has indeed put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

We need to embrace the shadows, we need to cease allowing fear to control us and lead us, we need to rest from the outer work in order to allow time for our inner work, and we need to feast and celebrate the fruits that will emerge from this time of Sabbath.

Karen

Everywhere I look people are hungry for Sabbath

Sabbath has changed my life.
Through this change in my life, I've been able to spread this new light to others.

John 8:12-20

Being in an inter-racial relationship I understand the concern around light being good and dark being evil. However, both my partner and I think that the light in this passage is a noun, rather than an adjective, like a flame. John’s Christ is portrayed as the ‘light of the world’ and this theme plays out very clearly in this gospel. Yet, this light is not to be kept inside of Jesus rather it is something Jesus gives and then once we receive we give as well. I believe that Sabbath can be this light, this flame. Everywhere I look in this day and age people are so hungry for Sabbath. I have so many opportunities to share in class, at church, with my friends and family what this team and many others are doing. I have these opportunities because there is a hunger for this. I can tell that in some way I have passed on something of value and worth and that if they accept they see their life through a new lens.

Believing in Sabbath means believing in something that our society doesn't believe in.
I fell so hard into this deep hole of being programmed to death and feeling guilty if I wasn't doing something 'productive'. I was killing myself. Sabbath has helped me see the importance in spiritual practice. I don't necessarily mean set aside labyrinth walking or coloring Mandelas, even if they are cool. I mean preparing meals as a spiritual practice, running as a spiritual practice, (heck, I have lost 15 pounds on Sabbath), sleeping as spiritual practice, cleaning as a spiritual practice, rocking out on a guitar and singing in the car at the top of my lungs to Ani as a spiritual practice. I have found a new way to journal. I journal about this journey and the people who are with me on it. I journal about whatever I want instead of what I always thought I should.

Wow, as I read this over this entry it seems so testimony-like…I guess that is what John 8:12-20 is about. Knowing who you are and where you are coming from.

I know Sabbath has changed my life.

Sarah

Reading for Dec 2-8th: Psalm 40

Psalm 40
" I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. You have multiplied, O Lord, my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt. Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the Lord!" As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God."

I would also encourage you to listen to the song "Forty" by U2. It is based on this Psalm.
Karen

for Nov. 25 - Dec. 1: Jeremiah 31. 31-34

The days are surely coming, says the Lord³², when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord³³.

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord³⁴: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Singing the Song of Sabbath

I want to share the lyrics of the song I've been using in my sabbath time. I've been captured by this song ever since I heard it the first time. The lyrics are so evocative and speak directly to the heart of what I believe faith is all about. I'm reminded of C.S. Lewis' imagery of the creation, of Narnia, where Aslan breathes Narnia into life by singing, and slowly he is joined by the other creatures until all of Narnia is singing Aslan's song of creation. I find an incredible parallel between that image and what we're doing. One person began singing the song of Sabbath, who then invited the team to come along with them, and now the team is singing the song of Sabbath, and inviting others to come along with us. We don't know where the song is going, but we're singing it anyways, because when we sing together, there is no feeling like it. As the song says, we are "Surrendering to the mystery" regardless of whether we understand it or not. Take a minute to reflect on these lyrics, and let us know what you think.

This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice

This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singin' with you
Helpin' each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices two

This is the sound of voices three
Singin' together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of voices three

This is the sound of all of us
Singin' with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind, it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of all of us

This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice

"One Voice" by the Wailin Jennys

This is Hard Work - Sabbath Keeping

Accountability is what I need to maintain my Sabbath Keeping ritual. I have been neglecting my commitment to the team and to myself over the last month. It is so easy to slip away from what our hearts truly desire, a place where space and time are not in jeopardy of being abused in order that they fit into the profit and productivity of our days.
I have been reading the book, The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel, and have been moved by the practice of the six days prior to the Sabbath day being a pilgrimage towards our Sabbath practice on the Seventh day. So often we try to cram into our week one hour at church, making it fit our sense of time and space. In this cramming, we abuse ourselves and the purpose of the Sabbath is lost - how are we able to see the holy in ourselves, if we cannot see the holy in the time and space that surrounds our everyday life.
And so, I call to the youth and young adults of my congregation to hold me accountable for my own Sabbath time, I have invited them into my practice, thus pressuring myself to partake in this experience fully. They have been invited to read the blog posts through personal letters and an invitation in the church newsletter.
Last night, I went to a speaker series on the future of Mississauga, a city next to Toronto. My true reason for attending the evening was that Justin Trudeau was the keynote speaker. Ben, one of my youth, and I sat listening to the wise words of this young Canadian, and it was not long before his environmental focus shifted towards the idea of a mishapped view of time and space. It felt as if he too had read my Sabbath book and I agained realized how desperate the world is, its people, its waterways, its forest and animals, the air, the birds - all of creation is longing for a Sabbath time.
This is hard work, but when is important work easy? I again look forward to Friday as my Sabbath day!
Peace
Michael

You can lose your way in the desert

That's a line from the Godly Play stories that are told in the desert box. It's also quite apropos of my week.

I was feeling really good on Tuesday as I set out for my first meeting with my Sabbath mentor. Okay, I haven't been carving out the hour to engage in the ritual, but I do have a mentor and we were having our first meeting. Our time together was great, she was encouraging, we broke bread and laughed together.

From her house I was heading to Five Oaks to lead a workshop on Godly Play. My mentor said she'd give me directions so that I could avoid the traffic on the 403 that would already be building by mid-afternoon. Well, you've guessed it; I got lost. I wandered this way and that way and finally, after a frantic phone call, I was back at her house and starting over again nearly an hour later! I did make it to Five Oaks with just enough time to get set up while the participants were eating dinner. The workshops went great and I started for home. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, I phoned Andrew to let him know that I was on the road and we chatted for a while as I drove along. Well, you guessed it, I missed a turn and got lost again! This time it was dark and I was in the country and I kept driving over Highway 403 but there was no on-ramp for me to get to it. Finally, I saw a United Church with a big, lighted sign and a website printed on the sign. I called Andrew again and asked him to go to their website and tell me where I was. Turns out, I was less than a kilometre from Five Oaks, so once again I was back at my starting point nearly an hour later than when I'd first set out.

In reflecting back on my week and preparing for my first celebration of the Sabbath ritual this afternoon, it dawned on me that perhaps I truly was in a desert moment of life and I have lost my way a bit. It's been a busy and chaotic summer and autumn in the General Council Office. I've travelled over many weekends and haven't participated much in the worshipping life of the congregation of which I'm a part. I haven't made as much time as I usually do to nurture the relationships that are important to me and it's beginning to show.

Can lighting a candle and thinking of you once a week help me with that? Can focused monthly visits with a friend help me find my way? I'm not sure, but it helps to know that even if I lose my way on this journey there are others out there who can point me in another direction.

Sabbath blessings,

Amy

My First Ritual

I just finished my first hour of Sabbath as part of the Discernment Team. I followed the ritual without worrying about any particular order except what felt right. As soon as I set the timer for one hour and sat down to light the candle I was nearly moved to tears. Why? I am not sure. Maybe because of all the build up to this sacred time. Heck, I had to fly to Regina to prepare! Maybe because I felt united to 13 other people across Canada. Maybe because this is the kind of intentional time with God I have been craving for years in my life and ministry.

I read all the scripture passages that the team has been reflecting on . I enjoyed just reading those stories without the pressure of gleaning a program or lesson from them. They seemed to speak to me more clearly this way.

On the blog, a team member wrote "What am I longing for?" This is precisely the question that emerged from my soul while at Taize a few weeks ago. I wrote this question out in my journal in big sprawling letters. It came from a place of deep frustration with myself, with life and with God.

I have demanded the Holy Spirit help answer this questions for me. Luke 11:13 gives me hope that God will provide me with an answer.

Rick Gunn

Do Not Worry...

Friends, be not dismayed if you have just started your sabbath practice. I must admit, this is my first week - so there I have publicly confessed to the world that I am just getting myself together, but this quote is in the front of my journal.

YOU can spend so much time fretting about the pst
And things that cannot be changed,
And worrying about the future
And things which may never happen,
That you lose the joy and fullness of the NOW!

The hardest part was actually starting, and once I started the time flew by, lighting the candle was a big step to marking the time. I actually thought I might fall asleep during my hour of sabbath time, but what ended up happening was I went back and read the scriptures from the weeks previously, and ended up thinking and journalling on them. My partner was making dinner in the other room, and he gave me space to do my hour of time, and even put up with my singing out loud. I did have a powerful experience, that as I was reading about Creation - I looked out of my window, and on what had been a very gray day in Naramata, BC - the clouds parted and the sun came out in just a small part - it was as if at that moment in time I was supposed to be just hangin' out with God, it felt like God saying - "It is Good". And so, I will continue, heading Karen's suggestion to plan ahead to do the Sabbath practice, and to write the names of those I am praying for on small rocks to carry with me to help me focus my prayer. Something deep within tells me amidst the noise an choices of life, we were made to do two things daily - exercise and worship/be intentional with God/pray - this practice is helping heed that call, and I hope that it will provide some room to "not worry". maya

Longings, learnings, and reality.

So, I've managed to do the ritual for 4 weeks in a row, though I've never managed to do it on the same day of the week, but I've come to the realization that it doesn't really matter. Here is what I've discovered so far:

• It helps to prepare for the ritual the day before you actually do the ritual.
• It helps to tell someone when you will be doing it, so you can't back out!
• The ritual has made a difference in my life already!
• I'm not procrastinating as much.
• I am more aware of my surroundings.
• I have trusted my intuition more, which has created more meaningful opportunities in my ministry at the church.
• I have had many rich connections with friends and families, and it brings me joy.
• Every time I do the ritual, I'm surprised at the messages I receive from the scriptures, and how timely they are with what is happening that week.
• I'm grateful to have an hour a week when no one interrupts me.
• Everyone has been really respectful of this time, and when people have walked in during this time, they quietly leave as soon as they realize what I'm doing.
• It has helped me to prioritize my life.

Two weeks ago during my ritual I asked myself the following question: What am I longing for, and thirsting for? Here is a portion of my response:

"I've been longing for the people in our group to get started on the weekly ritual. I want to hear their stories and their struggles, and I want to share my own. I did more cleaning this week, and I believe that my work has been more focused. I definitely feasted this week with both family and friends, I rested and slept in one day. I also spent more time outside...Now that I think about it, what I thirst and hunger for during this Sabbath time is an hour where I have time to reflect with no interruptions. I think this hour has allowed me to regroup, and it also reminds me to ask the harder questions or myself and others."

Marva J. Dawn, who wrote Keeping the Sabbath Wholly believes that keeping the sabbath requires us to engage in the following four acts: ceasing, resting, embracing, and feasting. She believes that "If we were more deliberate about our lifestyles, we might be more conscious ourselves of God's grace, of who we are as God's people, and of how discipleship involves careful choices. Paying such close attention to living a truly Christian lifestyle would give better witness to the world." p. 109

I believe that I have been more deliberate and more intentional because I have engaged in the practice of sabbath. I have made more room for God to work in my life, and it is delightful! Don't get me wrong it is still a struggle. It turns out that I don't like being told which scriptures to read. Who knew? I think I have some control issues. To be honest, reading the suggested scriptures doesn't allow me to stay in my comfort zone. So I laughed when I read this weeks suggested scripture Luke 12: 22-34. It started with the message "Don't Worry!" and ended with "Don't be afraid." Powerful words that I'm not quite prepared to comment on yet. Maybe next time.

Those are my thoughts for now friends.

Karen

Is the rest of the world joining us?

In the online edition of today's Toronto Star, there is an article about how work is taking over our lives 24/7, and some strategies to prevent that from happening! While this doesn't strictly relate to Sabbath in our specific context, it is definitely a call for people to have more balance in their lives, which is part of what Sabbath strives to do. Check out the article here.

The Weekly Sabbath Ritual

For those of you who want to join us in the Sabbath Ritual, here is what we are doing.

We invite you to create a sacred space for yourself and place important symbols around you.

• We begin by lighting a candle in a space where you are comfortable.
• Prayer of Three Breaths
• Read the Prayer from the Call to Purpose
  God of all creation,
  We offer you our thanksgiving for a time rich with connections,
  Among each other and with you.
  We thank you for moments when we have experienced what it is to be united
  Even in our differences.
  Help us to grow as a listening, discerning, learning people.
  Help us to give up patterns and structures that enslave us and others.
  Help us to acknowledge our fear
  And lean into your hope and your courage.
  Help us to grow in our trust in each other and in your Spirit.
  Fill us with your grace and with your wisdom,
  With your patience and with your love.
  Propel us into your future,
  Rooted in the richness of our past.
  In Christ we pray.
  Amen.
• Individual contemplation: Praying for one another, mandala, finger labyrinth, praying in colour, listen to music, sing.
• Read the scripture that has been suggested for the week, and reflect on it.
• You may want to journal, or meditate or pray on the scripture.
• Extinguish the flame and say the following benediction
  
  Let us carry this Sabbath space with us,
  Offering our changed selves to the world and the Spirit’s call. Amen.

We suggest that you take an hour for this ritual, feel free to make it your own. Happy Sabbath!

Peace, Karen

Nehemiah 8: 8-12

I invite you to reflect on the following scripture as a way to focus on sabbath practice this week. While the passage specifically relates to the Festival of Booths as a holiday in celebration of the returned exiles and rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, the intent of sabbath is evident...

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."

12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Wilderness Survival Kit - Hebrew Style!

Here is my journal entry from a reflection on Exodus 16, if you haven’t read it I would suggest reading it before you continue, but go ahead if you can’t control your desire for theological reflections.

It seems to me that the Israelites are beginning to learn the fundamentals of community survival in the wilderness. They are nomadic at this point and as they begin their journey, this is the first bit of wisdom they gather about who they are and what is required to survive, while holding a vision of liberated humanity.

The rhythm of collection/work, with intermittent rest, is seemingly offered by the earth itself; those who go out to gather on the 7th day, contrary to instructions, actually find nothing. I am reminded of the way that we can exhaust the resources around us, especially if we store up and still go out for more. The earth has a rhythm and a limited capacity for production. Thus we learn Sabbath from the earth, which lives in sacred rhythm and balance.

Everything the Israelites learned in the wilderness is fascinating to me because they are homeless, thus their communal values, the values which are also expressed in The Big 10 soon to come, are not based upon any concept of property or ownership. Thus, what they are held to in this covenant with Moses is wisdom they discerned in their homelessness and wilderness roots.

This wisdom taught lightness upon the earth, sharing abundance, and it was a wisdom that knew the non-sustainability and eventual ruin of accumulation and greed. All these lessons were held up again and again by the prophets to the coming centralized nation-state, which had forgotten the wisdom of homelessness, and the interdependence of the entire community.

And now, if we read these ancient words, if we listen for their truth, if we sift through the theistic, patriarchal, Judeo-Christian narrative, we might find the beginnings of an alternative society with an economy of enough for all! I think we will also find a people who lived in gratitude with a deep awareness of, and attentiveness to, the ecosystem of which they were a part.

All this learning and identity formation which is to come for the Hebrews is founded on the Sabbath, it is indeed the first lesson the people learn from Yahweh, the living Spirit of the wilderness, the Liberating One.

shalom all, Christopher Giffen

The Year of Sabbath

From November of 2007 to November of 2008, 14 UCC leaders of youth and young adults from across the country are joining together in mutual support to engage in Sabbath practices. Intentionally practicing Sabbath is a way to examine and truly recognize the breadth of work that has been done in youth ministry and discern the work that must continue. Even in our faith communities a culture of busyness and a preoccupation with productivity has replaced the holy rhythm of work and rest. Together we will prayerfully struggle to find the balance between work and ministry, taking time to cease our patterns of activity and to honour and engage the meaning of Sabbath in our context. We invite others into this time as we “listen, pause, pray and repeat” in order to discern the Spirit’s wisdom for youth ministry.

Initially we will focus on adopting the Sabbath practice in our own faith lives. In the first month of the year of Sabbath, we will begin by taking 1 hour per week of Sabbath, and each share in a ritual together of prayer, scripture reading, silent reflection, journaling and singing. In the second month we will take 2 hours per week. As the year progresses we will deepen and expand our commitment to practice the Sabbath, month by month, hour by hour. By the end of the year we will spend 12 hours a week in Sabbath, which may include a community meal, abstaining from financial transactions, and resting from our regular work, among many other things.

In order to make the broadest impact on our church, we will invite others to join us in our Sabbath-taking. First, each of the 14 will find a mentor who will support us as we undertake this discipline. As we journey, we will invite as many others into this practice as feel called, including our congregations, and other communities of faith of which we are a part. Together with all these Sabbath-practitioners, we will pay homage to the work of those who have gone before us, and we will discern together the spirit’s call for youth ministry in the United Church of Canada.

Every week from now until November 2008, one of the 14 leaders will post an excerpt from their reflections onto the Sabbath blog: http://yayasabbathdiscernmentteam.blogspot.com. (But you know that 'cause you're already here!) The blog page can be visited by anyone and the schedule of weekly Sabbath scripture can be found there also. So join us as we honestly engage with, and struggle to reclaim, an ancient faith tradition. We trust that through this practice, new directions, deepened discipleship, and revolutionary energy will spring forth for the work of youth ministry in our church.

Sabbath Discernment Team

Sabbath Is Hard Work

The irony and tragedy of our lifestyle is demonstrated by the fact that the whole concept of Sabbath has been derided and neglected as luxuriant and unproductive. It's funny how much time and preparation we, (OK, I'll speak for myself), I need to feel alright with spending spiritual time for self-nurture. Maybe because there isn't a concrete outcome that I can point to and say "this is where your offering plate money went" like a meeting or a pastoral visit or a killer sermon.

Back to all the preparation that is needed for Sabbath: I spent a good chunk of morning trying to find the right candle to use for my weekly ritual (which is part procrastination, part OCD) and selecting appropriate meditation music (settling on Peter Gabriel's "Passion: soundtrack for The Last Temptation of Christ"). And when I try to settle into a space of no-thing-ness and spiritual connection, my mind is racing through all the other things I need to get to in the day.

I did manage to bring to mind each member of the Discernment Team and sent them positive, loving energy. Which reminds me now that we should probably explain further to the Internet audience what we're about as a Sabbath Discernment Team in the Year of Sabbath and how they might join in. Maybe next time, this post is long enough already.

Discerningly yours,
Kenji

Vision Statement

This is a vision statement which was created during the time of reflection and planning the YAYA sabbath time. As with anything, it is up for discussion. I think that it is a good thing to keep in mind as we enter this Sabbath time. Knowing that we are not alone, that we are a part of a wider community of Christians and the church, not to mention God is with us!

Youth and Youth Adult Ministry is the process by which the faith community is immersed with Youth and Youth Adults in the story and vision of the community toward our mutual transformation.
It includes all the ways the church and its leaders encourage Youth and Youth Adults to participate in Christian practices and faith in action.
The hope of Youth and Youth Adult Ministry is that Youth and Youth Adults will embrace a lifelong commitment to the way of Jesus and make a spirit filled difference in the church and in the world.

These are some questions that I re-read recently from pre-Sabbath Discernment Team meeting (Feb. '07) are ones that I plan on using during my relfection through out the year.

1) What is God calling us to do in YAYA Min.?
2) What does God value about/in YAYA Min?
3) How can the National Level support these values?

Blessings,

alison