SUNDAY READINGS

Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:37-42

June 26, 2008

From the Rector's Desk

We’re now officially into summer, and we spent the first day (Saturday) in an outstanding celebration in Highwood. After morning rain the skies cleared and Church of the Redeemer went on-location with our children for a lunch, activities, music and drama. Thanks to all who worked to make it happen, and all who stopped by.

I’m writing this note just before Susan and I leave for a few days of vacation. Sometimes summer can overwhelm us with the many activities and expectation to cram things in before fall arrives. I do hope that all of us can swim upstream and find some times of rest and renewal over the next couple of months. That’s what I hope to find this week. But it’s also a pattern of living that we can enter into when even we don’t have the opportunity to get away—‘vacate’—but are locked into the patterns of our everyday existence.

This is the concept of Sabbath---a time set aside for rest and worship, and to just be who we are made to be. Sabbath is a day, but it is also a holy reality—a place that we enter, sometimes for just brief moments, that refresh and nurture and re-create. Being open to the possibility of Sabbath moments breaking into our monotonous or helter-skelter lives can change us in profound ways, and bring us God’s healing. But sometimes we need to make space. Wayne Muller, writing in Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in Our Busy Lives offers the following as an example.

Choose one pleasurable activity that is easily done and takes little time. Leaf through a magazine and tear out a picture that you find appealing; put it somewhere you will see it, and notice how you respond to it throughout the day. Write a short poem about nothing of any importance. Put a new flower in a cup by your bed. Take a walk around the block. Sing a song you know from beginning to end. Do something simple and playful like this everyday. Take a crayon and make a simple drawing of something in your life. Let the power of a simple act of creativity stop you, slow your pace, interrupt your speed. Notice how willing you are to be stopped. Notice how it feels when you are.

In the often inhuman pace of our lives we desperately need to be slowed down, or even stopped. And in this summer season we can intentionally take a deep breath, create some space, and invite God into the moment. I’m sure you have ideas about how you might do that, and I would love to hear from you. Have a wonderful and renewed week.


--On another note, I'm sad to share with you that Julia Wright has resigned her position as Office Manager, effective early next month. Julia has had a vital ministry among us for almost two years, bringing her administrative gifts to our church, but also her many creative and visual gifts that have been an outstanding part of Church of the Redeemer as we have been growing and developing. I'm also grateful for the teaching she has done and the services of worship that she has led from time to time (mid-week prayer, Holy Week, etc.) We will have more soon on how we can all say 'farewell' and bless her for her time with us.


I will see you Sunday, and look forward to worshiping with you.

With peace and joy,
Jay


The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org


Redeemer Kids

We explored the story of Jonah through games and prizes, crafts, music, and a lunch theater that included sandwiches, goldfish crackers, and cake for the audience while they watched a dramatic presentation of the Jonah story!









Redeemer Youth Ministry

Roseland Christian Ministry Center: I’ve contacted the coordinators of Roseland Ministry Center (which happen to be good friends!), and it looks like a possible date to serve would be Wednesday, July 15. Let me know if you're interested so that we can make arrangements for our day trip to the city to serve.


Prayer Notes. . .

  • for the Mission and Vision and Outreach of Church of the Redeemer
  • for our children
  • for those in need in body, mind and spirit