sabbath Archives

Activists need a break too

Posted August 6th, 2021

he Rev. Emily Schwenker suggested practices for activists to engage in for their own spiritual health during this year’s Presbyterians for Earth Care conference, which is taking place on three consecutive weekends of this month, continuing Aug. 8 and 15.

‘Our model for that is Jesus’

Posted May 20th, 2021

1001 New Worshiping Communities (NWC) is offering its leaders and pastors an opportunity for rest, renewal, and reflection time through a round of Sabbath and sabbatical grants. There are two opportunities available:

Church is where God’s family gathers

Posted January 26th, 2021

While the apocalyptic genre might seem relatable in some ways during these times we’re living in, the characters I have found myself relating to most during the pandemic are those found in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s account of life in 19th century America that she writes about in “Little House on the Prairie.” Letting out the hem of last year’s dress to make do for a growing child totally makes sense now. Who needs new clothes when you never leave home? Sitting around the fire at night for a sing-along with Pa while Ma does the mending?

‘Nap ministry’ and God’s plan for the Sabbath

Posted February 13th, 2020

I received a text from a friend instructing me to “bring a yoga mat, blanket, pillow or whatever you’d like for resting comfortably on the floor.” I was going to be joining her at a nap ministry event.

The language of aspiration and inspiration

Posted January 6th, 2020

Preaching from Deut. 6:4-9, a text she described as both aspirational and inspirational, the Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana sent about 900 people attending the College Conference at Montreat home Sunday morning with a closing worship message focused on Sabbath and remembering.

Resistance as Sabbath

Posted January 5th, 2020

Anxiety may be rampant in modern culture, but it’s not unprecedented. Take, for example, the enslaved people of Israel described in the Book of Exodus.

‘We are not going to change the world. God is’

Posted January 5th, 2020

Before delivering the final keynote address to the Collegiate Conference at Montreat Saturday, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins addressed the elephant in the room: the fact that the nation could well be on a path toward war.

Receiving rest and direction from God

Posted January 4th, 2020

It was Friday’s happy task for the Rev. Rachel Hébert and A Williams of Williamsburg (Virginia) Presbyterian Church to help busy college students find delight in Sabbath-keeping.

Silence and Sabbath

Posted January 4th, 2020

The 900 Presbyterians attending the Collegiate Conference at Montreat entered Sabbath together in silence Friday evening following vibrant, thoughtful worship with communion led by conference preacher the Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana and the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, coordinator for the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People.

Freed from mermaid captivity

Posted January 3rd, 2020

On Friday the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner, who teaches at the Duke Divinity School and is vicar at a small Episcopal church in North Carolina, told about 900 people attending the College Conference at Montreat a story “it took me many years to tell with a straight face.”