Summer Sabbath

Several years ago, during one of my doctoral classes, we began a conversation on the importance of Sabbath rest.  As the conversation progressed, we began to expand the idea. My professor mentioned that people aren’t the only ones who need a sabbath – churches/meetings do as well – and summer is that time. 

As he continued to expand this idea, I found myself nodding in agreement.  Often within our Meeting, we too need a change in our routine.  Summer offers us this natural transition and affords us the opportunity to do things that we would not normally do like worship in our meditational woods, plant in our community garden, offer Vacation Bible School, and enjoy Fun Day Sunday, just to name a few.  In Indiana, summer invites us to return outdoors where we can again breath in the outdoor air and reconnect to God’s creation and our natural surroundings.  After a year of being contained in our homes, we need more than ever to reengage creation and nature.  

We also must find time for what is restful. Sabbath at its most basic form is considered abstinence from work. This past year has been extremely taxing on people in so many ways.  Work and ministry changed significantly, and it has taken a toll on all our lives. Yet, Rest is not just about abstinence or retreating, rather it could be considered a redirecting of our attention to the things that fill us and provide hope and joy, once again. 

This leads to our professor exclaiming that Sabbath needs to have some sense of CELEBRATION! 

At First Friends, we need to be able to look back on where we have been throughout this past year and celebrate, if nothing else, our survival!  Sabbath may look like coming together, just to be together again, to tell our stories, hear what all we have learned, all without the need to do anything more. This means being present with one another is a celebration of our togetherness!  

As we transition into summer in the coming days, let’s remember the importance of Sabbath rest.  Challenge yourself to make a change in your routine, find occasions to return outdoors, seek times for rest, and remember that being present with one another is an opportunity to CELEBRATE where we have been and where we are going!