Looking Toward Our Sabbatical Chapter

As April begins, we find ourselves two months out from our first experience of Sabbatical as a community of faith. Sabbatical rest begins on Monday May 29th and as I anticipate this opportunity for the Holy Spirit to guide and lead me and my family spiritually, I recognize that this season is a new one for our entire community. Sabbatical is not only rest for me as the called minister to Minneola, but a spiritual opportunity for this community to trust in God’s provision and in each other’s faithful stewardship. The opportunity for growth does not reside with me but in the “us-ness” of this experience.

“To sustain Christian ministry, its leadership needs renewal and rest, a time to “be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). By slowing down for a time, both church leaders and their congregations can come to know and obey God in new ways.” – Dale Wolyniak

Sabbatical is a gift for the whole community to interrupt our expected system of church and connect to God in new ways. It provides us an opportunity to trust deeply in the Spirit’s work in the body of Christ when things look different. God will provide, Jesus will be present, and the Holy Spirit will inspire and move us all to new ways of doing and being church.

As Sabbatical approaches, may the Holy Spirit fill us with hope and expectation for this new chapter in our life together.

- Pr. Hannah