tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31902197990012259032012-01-26T15:49:54.760-08:00Thoughts from the Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sabbath Discernment Team. Join us as we take intentional Sabbath time every week.Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.comBlogger561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-51085409091724293472008-11-03T16:47:00.000-08:002008-11-03T16:49:19.013-08:00

I trust you.......with my life.This past week I’ve been reflecting on Psalm 56. In my confirmation class on Wednesday night we started with a breath prayer. As I breathed in I said the words “I trust you...” as I breathed out I said the words “...with my life.” This is the biggest challenge I face. The next morning during my Sabbath ritual I read the whole of Psalm 56. What I found interesting is

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-33375677896046671342008-09-28T13:08:00.000-07:002008-09-28T13:30:23.426-07:00

It has taken me all week to reflect on Hebrews 4 posted by Karen last Sunday. I read the passage before I went to work last Monday morning and sat and prayed that God would speak to me through these words. I came back to it on Wednesday, re-read the passage and was still feeling bogged down by it. I think what challenged me so much was that I had a sense of guilt come over me, that I was being

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-44580550784851375112008-09-27T16:18:00.001-07:002008-09-27T16:19:38.204-07:00

The invitation still stands. God is again inviting us into rest, to enjoy the gift of Sabbath. The summer held many moments of Sabbath time for me personally, and for a while I was even able to find a rhythm to my life which included feasting with friends, sitting and basking in the sun in the early evening. I found a creative space this summer for coming up with new topics of discussion for the

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-59404727151542770692008-09-24T06:29:00.000-07:002008-09-24T07:02:12.848-07:00

Hi, Sabbath team and friends thereof,Wow, Karen! That passage from Hebrews is dense! Or at least I find it so. I pondered your question about the connection between the passage and the National goal (see Sept 21 posting). But I couldn't stop going back to phrases in the passage that spoke to me rather than the goal.There is a lot of Good News in the reading and there is a call to account.

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-17299877882901251732008-09-21T11:15:00.000-07:002008-09-21T11:35:46.160-07:00

I invite you all to reflect on Hebrews 4. I believe that this scripture connects to the National goal of "to strengthen and develop local youth and young adult ministry through a network of spiritually healthy, education and ethical leaders. How do you think this goal connects to the scripture?"Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-41024788338085982782008-06-30T10:43:00.000-07:002008-06-30T11:27:23.956-07:00

God, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:1-2I know there are many great reasons to read contemporary language versions of the Bible, but there is something about the more traditional language of the NRSV and yes, even the KJV, that still

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169918236666661522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-80892910257465635112008-06-21T12:09:00.000-07:002008-06-22T13:12:03.337-07:00

An old Hasidic rabbi crosses the village square every morning on his way to the temple to pray. One morning, a large cossack soldier, who happened to be in a vile mood, accosted him, saying, "Hey, Rebby, where are you going?"And the rabbi said, "I don't know."This infuriated the Cossack. "What do you mean, you don't know? Every morning for twenty-five years you have crossed the village square and

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-7664088998040867252008-06-15T07:08:00.000-07:002008-06-17T17:52:57.906-07:00

Hello Friends,This was a scripture that was shared at a recent meeting I was at, and I thought it would be good to spend some more time reflecting on it. I will post my reflection later this week.Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-50824500877158465642008-06-10T08:01:00.000-07:002008-06-10T08:39:09.687-07:00

Dear Sabbath Bloggers,This past Sunday was Music Sunday at Islington United Church, a day for celebrating the many gifts that are offered musically in this congregation. Two people offered reflections, one on Bach, the other on Neil Young’s song “When God Made Me.” A young adult preached on the amazing words of this song, and following his spoken word, he sang these words to us:Was he thinkin'

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074064285125397229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-85880019750563620442008-06-08T09:46:00.000-07:002008-06-08T11:13:15.734-07:00

John 2:1-11This posting is late. Approximately 2 weeks late. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, but the three months before that were basically commitment-free, and I didn’t even think about doing anything ahead of time. So much for the value of Sabbath preparation, eh? No excuses... It’s also been a challenging couple of weeks for our discernment group. People have shared their personal

Kenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465463689390418248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-84000141934071985232008-06-02T14:49:00.000-07:002008-06-02T15:08:12.815-07:00

Job 32:1-14In this passage Elihu is a youth. He has been sitting in the shadows for sometime, watching as the older men speak. He respectfully listens, truly listens to his mentors...listens intentionally to be changed by what they are saying. Although, he gets frustrated and after his listening he speaks out. Most believe that these speeches were an addition to the book of Job. Either way, they

Sarah Chapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13658249309615641362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-32854737955649626262008-05-16T10:26:00.000-07:002008-05-16T10:46:03.036-07:00

Acts 2: 42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship,to the breaking of the bread and the prayers.Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.All who believed were together and had all things in common; the would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.Day by day, as they spent much

Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155589246680947430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-54165352908606449212008-05-14T05:59:00.000-07:002008-05-14T06:17:56.050-07:00

Hello, Sabbathers!Thinking about our time together in Tatamagouche. I was grateful to be able to deepen relationships with all of you during our time. But as we shared our Sabbath experiences I got discouraged. Not that I needed everyone to have a similar experience in every way but one way I had hoped we could share was that we all would remain committed to attempting a Sabbath ritual or

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-6234072239397028162008-04-26T17:33:00.000-07:002008-04-26T17:52:10.698-07:00

The focus scripture comes from the theme (Acts 1:8) that the Princeton Forums on Youth Ministry is using this year.Acts 1: 6-11So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit

BuddhaKenjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10815441380285575006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-12865783185371223152008-04-21T11:42:00.000-07:002008-04-21T11:46:25.919-07:00

Sabbath Discernment GatheringApril 7-10, 2008Sabbath is…Sabbath is a gift from God!Sabbath is about making space for God to move, to work, and to be in our lives.Sabbath is about taking time to rest, to cease, to embrace, and to feast.Sabbath is about establishing a rhythm in our life.Sabbath is not…Sabbath is not expressed in the same way for everyone.Sabbath is not something that you can

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-84310561436627945322008-04-15T19:03:00.001-07:002008-04-15T19:19:05.339-07:00

Some updates to the blog layout, reflections on the discernment team's Sabbath journeys thus far and a recap of the recent meeting in Tatamagouche, NS will all be forthcoming.In the meantime, we've committed to letting go of guilt and embracing competitive karaoke.Blessings & peace,Kenji

BuddhaKenjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10815441380285575006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-77271422072159298552008-03-31T08:56:00.000-07:002008-03-31T08:57:55.801-07:00

Hi Everyone!In preparation for the discernment team gathering next week, I thought that Isaiah 41:1 is a good place for us to be. (From The Message)"Quiet down, far-flung ocean islands. Listen! Sit down and rest, everyone. Recover your strength.Gather around me. Say what's on your heart. Together let's decide what's right.I would also like to invite us to take part in the Ignatian Examen:Where

Mattnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-30942785246949617832008-03-25T08:29:00.000-07:002008-04-23T19:13:21.456-07:00

"The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, 'Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had not leisure even to eat." (Mark 6:31-31)This past week has been a busy week - a Holy Week - but a busy week! Many of us have spent the last several days gathered around Jesus, some

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-90906574150445473242008-03-19T10:12:00.000-07:002008-03-19T10:16:47.303-07:00

Psalm 42As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the

Bleedsdaylighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992828954414383395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-57682240771177879822008-03-13T13:26:00.000-07:002008-04-23T19:25:48.363-07:00

Over the past few months I have found it hard to commit to my weekly sabbath ritual mostly because I have been doing it alone. I invited members of my congregation to join me for the ritual during lent and no one joined me. I was really disappointed. Day after day I feel more and more isolated and disconnected from my life, my ministry and people on this team and I don't think I'm alone (Maybe

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-2166990672088851952008-03-09T14:22:00.000-07:002008-03-09T14:28:43.404-07:00

Hello everyone,I've been spending a lot of time this past week reading from Ecclesiastes, and this passage caught my attention. It is about the value of a friend which I have come to believe is essential to the practice of sabbath.Ecclesiastes 4: 9-16Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.For it they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-16891007443686451912008-03-05T11:42:00.000-08:002008-03-05T11:50:19.144-08:00

Hello Sabbath Sisters and Brothers,I wanted to announce this weeks reading, although somewhat late, still time for reflection and inspiration during this Lenten Season.Psalm 27: 7-14 (i have included a text I enjoy)O Lord, hear my voice when I call;have mercy and answer.Of you my heart has spoken:Seek God's face.Instruct me, Lord, in your wayon an even path lead me.False witness rise against me,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074064285125397229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-16475585080877232782008-02-27T19:53:00.000-08:002008-02-27T19:56:32.854-08:00

This is a great piece of inspiration from The Daily OM: Nurturing Mind Spirit and BodyIt's a great reading to meditate on... try it!Rick, bleedin' daylight...

Bleedsdaylighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992828954414383395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-83625054397424804152008-02-20T07:22:00.000-08:002008-02-20T07:27:43.563-08:00

1 Chronicles 1: 1-27 OK, to use some stereotypical United Church talk, I realize that I’m coming into the Sabbath blog “from a place of privilege”. I’m not currently in an active youth ministry position, either paid or volunteer. I have no responsibilities for worship, youth group, or committees. My present congregational church involvement consists entirely of sitting in a pew, singing hymns

Kenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465463689390418248noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-21556931395541816612008-02-09T11:02:00.000-08:002008-02-09T11:14:08.719-08:00

The reflection for this week is Psalm 139: 1-18O Lord you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down,and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue,O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me.

Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18155589246680947430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-11699107525187366682008-02-06T06:40:00.000-08:002008-02-06T10:13:13.595-08:00

Hi, friends in Christ. I am just going to type more or less word for word what I journalled today. It is long.Before this morning's ritual I went to the shore of the Bedford Basin. There was almost no movement in the water. Just the slightest lapping (if you could even call it that). Small, thin pieces of ice dotting the surface of the clear though polluted salt water. No seals today. I am always

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-24311338221001345512008-02-03T03:51:00.000-08:002008-02-03T04:03:35.293-08:00

It is Sunday morning- 6:51am Ontario time, and this is the last day of my week for choosing scripture and blogging as my commitment to this team. Early on Tuesday morning, I e-mailed my colleagues to suggest Colossians 3:1-17 as the scripture reading for this week's sabbath practice. It has been 14 weeks since I last posted on this blog, and I admit I still have not figured out how to add my

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-51476726005644354652008-01-31T07:48:00.000-08:002008-01-31T07:50:00.035-08:00

An excerpt from “Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens”, edited by Dorothy C. Bass and Don C. RichterObserving the Sabbath is a commandment. But in Jewish tradition the Sabbath is regarded even more as a gift, because each Sabbath is a reminder of how much God cherishes earth and the human beings made in God's own image. After creating the heavens and the earth, plants and animals, and

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-30931234297243839822008-01-22T05:57:00.000-08:002008-01-22T06:01:43.547-08:00

My apologies for dropping the ball on the Sabbath focus reading this week.Once again to Nehemiah, who has been on my mind lately, chapter 13, verses 15-22:161718In those days I saw in Judah people treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys; and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath

BuddhaKenjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10815441380285575006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-83938444947270706032008-01-16T06:17:00.000-08:002008-01-16T06:40:26.367-08:00

Hi, team and anyone else who is following this Year of Sabbath,Just wanted to share some words on how my Sabbath practice is going. I have no problem setting aside my Sabbath time on Wednesday mornings. Though my commitment to the ritual itself has been changing. I used to really enjoy getting all my worship items laid out like my Bible, my little slips of paper with team members' names on

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-14296840174299137552008-01-13T09:27:00.001-08:002008-01-13T09:27:51.236-08:00

A Future Not Our Own It helps now and then to step back and take a long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.No statement says all that could be said.No prayer fully

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14001698897426572425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-3243942255087355482008-01-13T09:14:00.000-08:002008-01-13T09:26:29.721-08:00

Greetings fellow Sabbathers,The reading I chose for this week is attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero called A Future Not Our Own.  I hadn't seen this until a few months ago and when I read it for the first time it really hit me...this is what I do, I get so caught up in the 'details' of life and pastoral ministry that I forget that I can't do it all, that everything doesn't depend on me.  If I

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14001698897426572425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-29295956008851844402008-01-06T17:19:00.000-08:002008-01-06T18:13:53.869-08:00

My Soul Longs For the SabbathI want to rest from being who everyone else knows me to be. I want to rest from being put together and up to speed – I want to fall apart and to fall behind.I want to stop making the same mistakes – the ones I make when I never stop.I want to stop hurting people for a time – and to mourn and to cry.I want to be suspended between the strong tall towers of

Christopher G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04013997030090356255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-26486305653508220832008-01-03T15:31:00.000-08:002008-01-03T15:37:04.092-08:00

Alison's thoughts...I've been reading a great book, "The Year of Living Biblically" by A.J. Jacobs. This is a non-fiction year long account of Jacobs attempting to live out every law in the entire bible (both old and new testements). Each chapter is based on a month of the year and for various days he records a particular law that he attempts to follow literally that day and discusses how well he

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-50220804473549654112007-12-26T21:26:00.000-08:002007-12-26T21:28:08.346-08:00

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 2In 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

Mattnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-65436130878487350952007-12-20T12:10:00.000-08:002007-12-20T12:11:44.029-08:00

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

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169918236666661522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-75125820057783600992007-12-17T08:48:00.000-08:002007-12-17T08:53:23.511-08:00

Friends -Here is the text for this week. I'll blog on it later.AmyJohn 21:1-14After 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.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169918236666661522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-36417678111112066072007-12-14T11:03:00.000-08:002007-12-14T11:36:46.229-08:00

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

Bleedsdaylighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992828954414383395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-86844904777250642202007-12-12T13:39:00.000-08:002007-12-12T13:40:59.816-08:00

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

Bleedsdaylighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992828954414383395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-13466813130856662582007-12-05T12:45:00.000-08:002007-12-05T13:03:26.353-08:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-35880602284438185142007-12-04T04:34:00.000-08:002007-12-04T05:23:14.453-08:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-29414807852008039852007-12-01T16:05:00.000-08:002007-12-01T16:07:24.424-08:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-73334050677967137772007-11-27T19:04:00.000-08:002007-11-27T19:17:49.734-08:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-54823137780112154792007-11-12T20:27:00.001-08:002007-11-12T20:33:15.058-08:00

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

Mattnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-6276220294058621352007-11-07T10:48:00.001-08:002007-11-07T11:13:10.503-08:00

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

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074064285125397229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-32843297387492048182007-11-02T12:45:00.000-07:002007-11-02T13:37:54.631-07:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-31445225870468060842007-10-31T06:36:00.000-07:002007-10-31T06:46:18.443-07:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-72050239125073059712007-10-29T20:43:00.001-07:002007-10-29T20:53:37.421-07:00

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 pstAnd things that cannot be changed,And worrying about the futureAnd things which may never happen,That you

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-36020789054854461302007-10-25T18:46:00.000-07:002007-10-25T19:35:18.684-07:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-62240694548557878092007-10-23T08:22:00.000-07:002007-10-23T08:24:58.936-07:00

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.

Mattnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-80319462219175386772007-10-19T11:00:00.000-07:002007-10-19T11:12:43.115-07:00

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 PurposeGod of all creation,We offer you our thanksgiving for a time rich with connections,Among

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-52427702724343199182007-10-14T19:32:00.000-07:002007-10-14T19:39:05.706-07:00

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

BuddhaKenjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10815441380285575006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-10992268277002568482007-10-13T16:27:00.000-07:002007-10-13T16:33:06.744-07:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-56314860338021416432007-10-13T15:14:00.000-07:002007-10-13T15:17:00.744-07:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-34883774165962738242007-10-03T10:13:00.000-07:002007-10-03T10:36:40.526-07:00

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

BuddhaKenjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10815441380285575006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190219799001225903.post-77634844012182019712007-09-28T23:04:00.000-07:002007-09-28T23:15:27.174-07:00

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

Sabbath Discernment Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02229958094210153520noreply@blogger.com0