February

Jesus 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 no leisure even to eat.
Then there came cell phones and the buzz of constant information on screens and cars to race about in.  And, for some, retirement without clear definitions of time – no clock to punch.
How do you go with Jesus away to a deserted place?  We do it together in worship and in our education programs, I think.  But we each need more time than that, time alone with God for Sabbath when we can be still and know God and the goodness of God’s image in us without a list of things to do.
Jesus modelled this for us beautifully. He is forever disappearing to be alone in prayer.  And when he is present with people he is PRESENT.
I find this back and forth between action and prayer and reflection always a work in progress.  The occasions when I really find it, I am blessed and so are the folks who get to see not just me fully PRESENT, but God working through me.  
What does that look like for you?   How do you find the balance of grounding yourself in God and stepping out to do the work God calls us each to do?  
And a few words about your priest and this Sabbath:

1. He doesn’t get it right much, but he is forever trying.
   
2. He tries to take Fridays off as full days for something other than “church work.”  Honor that day for him when you can, but if you have a very serious need, don’t hesitate to reach out to him.
   
3. Sometimes parishioners say they were struggling through something, but they didn’t come to me because they knew I was busy.  I am busy … overwhelmed much of the time. And God’s call to me is to be present with you when you are struggling with something.  You and I both honor God’s call when you make an appointment to talk about your struggles or I bring you communion or we go out for coffee or lunch together.  
   
4. By the same token, I am very busy.  This seems to mean more and more that if you want to talk with me, it is best to make an appointment.  If you just stop in the office to talk or hold up the line on the way out of church to talk, I am likely to not be fully PRESENT – because I can’t be.
   
5. Finally, I am so grateful for the ministry God has given us to share.  May we always seek to find time for ourselves, our God, and each other.  Time is strangely limited and yet with God eternal. May we find many ways to share that eternity together.  
   

God’s Peace,
Gary+