Advent is a season of preparation. Just as a child does not come instantly into the world, but needs time in the womb for growth and gestation, so each of us also need times of quiet reflection in which a new spirit may be discovered, given growth, and hopefully re-born. The malls, that are temples to consumerism, encourage us with bright lights, gaudy decorations, and happy songs of winter-wonderlands and family togetherness, to begin as early as possible to spend freely while we frantically run around trying to create the ‘perfect’ setting for a huge extravagant holiday celebration. God’s time is not that way. In the church we approach this season with minor key music, gradually building the light in our darkness by adding just one candle each week as we prepare for the light of Christ to come again into our lives through repentance, hope, peace, love, and joy. This requires not a frantic running around, but rather times set apart for honest reflection about our lives and the places we need to make changes that will open our hearts to our Savior. We create and nurture such times by reading scripture, entering into deep prayer, offering joy and praise to God who is Emmanuel, God with us, in word and deed.
The time I have set aside for Sabbatical is just such a time for that kind of reflection, rest and renewal of mind, body, and spirit. After Jesus spent time teaching, preaching, and healing, he often withdrew from the crush of the crowds for time alone with the Father. There are places that make this kind of time a source of renewal and growth. For centuries one of these places has been IONA, a small remote island off the western coast of Scotland. This is where Christianity first took root and grew in the Western world, and it is still a vital faith community and worship center today.
What we offer here is an experience of living in community, building community through sharing accommodation, meals, services in the Abbey church morning and evening, everyone helping with chores such as chopping vegetables, setting and serving at table, washing up, cleaning the toilets and showers, vacuuming, etc. There is also a time of study and prayer in morning sessions on various topics. As the week progresses, community is built and experiences deepen. The Tuesday pilgrimage is an all-day, 7-mile guided hike around the island visiting places of historical, spiritual and natural significance, stopping for prayer and song along the way. Some afternoons are optional singing, craft and gardening sessions. The week ends with a reflection session on Thursday evening with the final service either a communion or an agape.
Part of our ‘sabbatical pilgrimage’ will be to spend a week in the Iona community, as well as exploring some of the outlying Lewis island chain.
YOU have an opportunity to take the first part of this journey with us, in a two-week guided tour of Scotland that will include a ONE day visit to this historic Iona community. Please look for more information later in this newsletter, or pick up a brochure in the church office with the complete details.
The Reverend William Carter of Clark’s Summit has been on sabbatical and will be at our Parish Council Meeting on December 9th at 7:00 p.m. to describe the process and details. He is also chair of the Lackawanna Presbytery Committee on Ministry that will approve our Sabbatical plan. Anyone is free to attend this presentation and ask questions or simply get more detailed information about pastoral coverage for summer 2011. I encourage you to take some ‘sabbatical time’ out of the busy-ness of the holidays to rediscover that quiet place within you where God waits to meet you and refresh you.
Pastor Carol
