What I learned from my own summer " sabbath time"

 

                                            Me with my rector at Beckwith November 2019. I love this photo of us: we are both dressed comfortably and enjoying the company of each other & our other parishioners at a Parish Retreat weekend. She returns from her three-month sabbatical this week-- and her first Sunday back with us in next week, August 7 . 

It has been an unusual summer at my parish. 

 You see, our rector {head priest} was gone on a three-month sabbatical from May 1 until tomorrow, August 1. Her first Sunday back with the parish will be August 7 {next week!} and I am so stoked to be able to welcome her home and exchange one of those famous HUGS with her. I know to let her take this month to ease back into " re-entry" after her time away from us {even before + George instructed the congregation to do so} but I'd be lying if I said I did not miss her this summer. 

 I missed Susan+, but I had years of her wisdom to lean into during her time away. There were several times this summer when I recalled some advice, a story, or an admonishment that Susan+ had given me during the many years we've known each other. I leaned into the wisdom she already gifted to me & it served me well. I know a person has really positively influenced my life when I can draw on her wisdom without a need to talk with her. 

 In spite of not having our leader, we at my parish managed to thrive during this time. New ministries began while current ones took a summer break. I'm grateful to be part of such a heathy, Spirit-led group of Jesus-followers. 

 I also took up the challenge to take my own " sabbath" this summer. From May until now, I intentionally stepped away from church & civic responsibilities. It was hard, but I stayed true to my sabbath time and did not volunteer for any political campaigns, nor work with the ReadyKids {the people who run the Reading Pals at the local elementary schools} 

To be honest, the ongoing threat of COVID infection made saying " no thanks" to a lot of opportunities this summer easier. 

 This summer I took up the practice of journalling, and even purposely stayed away from news & social media for an allotted amount of time in order to be fully present with my extended family. My extended family & I made some beautiful memories, both in western North Carolina & in Northwest Florida.

  It was nice to be fully present with those with whom I was with on any given day & time rather worrying about documenting & posting tons of photos to Facebook & Insta. I've learned to be much more mindful of my use of social media- and the breaks showed me the joy of just being in the moment. Americans have trouble with "BE-ing" For many of us, we are mistaken that everything must have an endgame. 

  

Brian & I also spent a lot of time together enjoying our hometown and its surroundings. We spent Saturday mornings walking downtown, sometimes picking up fresh produce {or homemade soap} from local vendors. Our salt & sea air immersion occurred on weekday mornings when most people were at work. I read & wrote in my journal when Brian completed crossword puzzles or fished. 

 

 Children's Christian Ed took its annual summer break, and I used this time to discern that I really need to be in the parish choir. After four wonderful years as a Godly Play storyteller, my heart tells me it is time to pursue choir-- a ministry that is part of my soul. I'll miss sharing stories with the children, but I know that both my own needs & the needs of our parish choir meet. Long story short: I'm going back into Sunday School Retirement. There are many reasons why I felt like I needed to discern leaving children's ministry-- one of which is that I always wanted to sing under a talented church musician, and now I will have that chance.

 I look forward to what the program year will be for my parish, our Rector, and myself. I know I am blessed to be in this place & among these incredible Christ-carriers. 

Amen

Sarah McCarren 

31 July 2022 

On " Philadelphia 11" Day 2022

                    Me , with my parish's curate {new associate priest} on Easter Sunday

Today is the anniversary of the ordination of The Philadelphia 11: the first women to be ordained as priests in The Episcopal Church. I often wonder why this day is not on our calendar as a feast day, but I'm just a parishioner in Pensacola, Florida. 

  Anyway, I am grateful for the sacrifice, persistence and bravery of these women. Without them and their willingness to bravely be pioneers, the two priests I have in my life would not be able to live out each woman's calling. While I know many fine clergy who are men, the validity of their ordinations has never been questioned. Men have been leading Christian communities as clergy since the beginning of organized Christian communities. 

 Like with many human institutions, the Church was-- and in some ways still is ruled by the patriarchy.  We've made big strides since 11 brave women walked into that church to be " irregularly" ordained.  Yet  I cannot help but remember that some people-- some Christians-- are working fervently to turn back the clock regarding equality for all genders.  After watching the nation's highest court sweep body autonomy away from half the nation's population, I cannot help but wait for the next shoe to drop. It is a scary time to be a woman in America-- but I am encouraged by the bravery of my foremothers in faith. I am also encouraged by the women I know here-- both lay and ordained-- for stepping up and bravely doing work in Christ's Name. 

 My prayer is that I -- in whatever way I am needed-- can be brave enough to step out on the correct side of history.  I'm proud that God created me as a woman-- and know that The Divine One still has plans for my second half of life on earth. 

 Thank you, Adonai, for showing the Philadelphia 11 the way to break barriers so that other women wo are so called may pursue ordination. Also, I give thanks to all my sisters and mothers-in-Christ who are willing to be brave enough to do hard work in Your Son's name. Amen. 

Sarah McCarren 

29 July 2022

Both/And

                                                     Mile High Bridge. Grandfather Mountain NC

Today's sermon is something that I needed to hear. I'm grateful for + George, who is helping our curate {assistant priest} with preaching and pastoral duties while our rector {head priest} is on sabbatical this summer. 

Today's Gospel lesson is a familiar story, when Jesus visits His friends Mary and Martha of Bethany. It is a familiar story, one sister is acting as the good Jewish housewife, busy making sure ALL the food is prepared and the table set with the best tableware. Her sister, on the other hand, spends time listening intently to their guest as He shares wisdom.

 Two sisters show us two opposite ways of being with Jesus. 

  Is one way REALLY " better" than the other? Perhaps each sister in this story argued with each other over Mary's lack of help in the kitchen versus Martha's constant busy-ness that kept her away from enjoying their guest's company. 

 Who has the " better way"?  This is an ages-old question which Christians banter around for centuries. 

  As +George pondered: maybe the Christian life is not either/or {Mary or Martha} but both/and { Martha and Mary as equally important in our walk with God through Christ. 

 This story shows the " both/and nature of following Jesus. As Christians, we are called to contemplation and action. We are asked to spend time in worship, prayer, study and fellowship with our faith communities.  

 However, life in Christ also demands that we move out of our safe zones in order to serve others who may never enter our pretty red doors. A healthy Christian community {which mine is-- thanks be to God} does well. 

 Living according to this dichotomy is not easy. od calls us to love people as God loves each of us. We are called to love those whose life closely resembles ours. But we are also called to love those whose politics, religion, or lifestyle greatly differs with our own. We are called to love people -- even those who reject us due to differing political or moral views. This is A TALL ORDER for sure-- especially when our beloveds choose to withhold love from us. 

We are called to love. Full stop. 

Jesus knows how hurtful family and friends can be when it comes to following The Way of Love versus The Way of The World. The World says, Retaliate.  Love bids us to shake the proverbial {or literal if you live in Florida} dust from our sandals and move on. 

 We're called to love, and we are also called to be agents of social change. Look at the public ministry of Jesus: His life's work was not about making people comfortable with the status quo. Yet He acted out of a place of Love, a Love that only The Creator of the Universe can give. 

Being a Christian means constantly living within a " both/and". 

Thanks, be to Adonai. 

Amen. 

Sarah McCarren

17 July 2022