October 16 at 7:00 p.m. Spirit Matters is a faith sharing group. Our topic for October is ‘Community and our Deep Connectedness.’ Meetings include reflecting on scripture and other readings. Come be with us for a time of spiritual rest and refreshment. Your spirit matters! All are welcome.
Despite my retirement from professional chaplaincy, I remain on the email list for ELCA chaplains and persons serving in specialized ministry. In the most recent issue of the chaplains’ newsletter, the director for specialized ministry reflected on his week away at a friend’s lakeside home in upstate New York. Remembering the recently assigned Gospel texts in which Jesus is portrayed by Matthew as taking time away, the director encouraged his readers to consider the importance of self-care, days off, and scheduled vacations for being renewed and prepared to offer competent and effective pastoral care.
To make his point, he reminded us that the Creator took a day off and incorporated a weekly sabbath in the plan for creation, adding the striking observation, “It’s one of the 10 Commandments, for Pete’s sake.”