Preparing

I knew when I started to prepare for my sabbatical that this would be an extraordinary opportunity to do something out of the ordinary.  And so, I began to think about what it was that this 12 weeks might offer.  Applying for a sabbatical grant motivated me to think clearly about what I wanted get out of this time.

First up was rest and family time (see previous posts). 

Secondly, I wanted to get regrounded.  To take time for prayer and reflection without the pressure of sermons, teaching and administration.  To try to rediscover Jesus behind the business of church life.  I took on the project of reading the Gospels again, front to back, one chapter a day.

Next up was adventure.  What could I do that would connect with my ministry, but also give me an extra-ordinary time away?  My thoughts turned to the opening passage of Thomas Cahill's book The Drama of the Everlasting Hills. Cahill shares a story about the Sant' Egidio community in Rome www.santegidio.org.  This community started with the simple commitment to gather for prayer and to carry out Christ's ministry in the local neighborhood.  It has evolved into into a community of 50,000 worldwide that does everything from negotiating peace in war torn countries to advocacy for children everywhere.

So, I decided to go to Rome, to visit Sant' Egidio and see what made this community thrive in the midst of an increasingly secular Europe.  Little did I know that this would lead me to reading about history, mosaics, architecture and anthropology.  As I prepared for my trip my interest was piqued by a larger question: What is it that has made Christian communities vital throughout history?  How have the followers of Jesus engaged their own cultures, impacting and transforming lives?

What better place to start to seek the answer to this question than the Trestavere neighborhood of Rome.  It was here that the large Jewish community in Rome became the seedbed for the Christian faith as early as 40 CE.  It is here in the oldest church in Rome, that the Sant' Egidio community gathers to pray, and then to go out and serve the poorest of the poor in Rome.

That's where I'll be day after tomorrow!  See you there on my blog.

What an amazing time we had in Hawaii.  Talk about a complete change of scenery!  The weather was perfect, the water warm and the accommodations completely relaxing.  We were unplugged from the cares back home (no laptop, no blackberry), and revelling in the beauty of nature around us.

Highlights included:

• The excitement of the airplane trip (seriously!)
• Sunrise swimming in the ocean, including Elliot's first ocean swim
• Breakfast and sunsets on the Lanai
• Relaxing and napping at the beach, only a short walk down the path from home
• Driving the beautiful Hana road
• Snorkeling for the first time
• Rest, Rest, Rest

We realized that this was the first real vacation we our family has had in two years.  How important it is to get away to be together and to focus on one another.  

And so it begins

What a great way to begin my sabbatical.  My last week was full of wonderful blessings.  Eleven of our young people confirmitzvahed and confirmed, choristers at Saint Paul's singing beautifully and a terrific send off on Sunday.  Finally, we celebrated Elliot's 6th birthday with friends all around.

And now it is Monday morning, the first day of sabbatical.  I must admit it still seems a little unreal.  What will I do for the next twelve weeks?  Sure, I have travel planned and some books to read, but what will really happen?  I guess that is the adventure of it all.  

The beginning of the adventure is a week in Hawaii. Yesterday  I noted Marva Dawn's four components of Sabbath keeping: ceasing, resting, embracing and feasting. I am taking to heart the sermon and will begin my sabbatical by ceasing normal activity and unplugging  the laptop.  I will feast of time with my family and the beauty of the earth.

I'm looking forward to sharing my sabbatical journey with you .  I'll post again when I get back from Hawaii.