I write to you from the middle of my summer sabbatical. The past three weeks have been a time of rest, reflection, and appreciating the normal rhythms of life. If that sounds boring, it has been anything but. It has been an enormous blessing to simply “be;” to appreciate a daily schedule that includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, working in my beloved garden almost daily, but also not working there if I need a break; doing chores and the things we all have to do to keep life moving along, uninterrupted. I started cleaning out my garage and now have 5 plastic bins of Christmas decorations to give away. My biggest decision is to choose which nonprofit will be the beneficiary of such largesse for their fall fundraising. I’ve done two work-related things: participating in the holy ritual of a funeral for a grieving family that connected with Calvary through Mayo, and officiating a house blessing for a very special person and situation in Rochester. Yes, “work,” but such sacred work and an honor to be a part of it.

I will be back with you this coming Sunday, July 27, after spending a handful of days in the office, reconnecting with staff and taking care of some administrative items that can’t wait. On July 27, I will be with you all in the experiment of our new parking routine with the closing of the Damon Ramp happening on the afternoon of July 26. We all are participating in a time of astounding disruption to our Sunday routine, and we will do so together, in support and in good humor, right? I’ve been asked several times in the past three weeks by people I’ve met out and about whether the congregation has stopped coming to church during this time of construction upheaval. I can’t speak for you all, but my first reaction, every time I’ve been asked this, is to note that these questioning folks just do not understand the power of the incredible community of love and support that is Calvary. It is a time of astounding disruption, during which I have been equally astounded by the faithful and consistent participation of so many of our beloved community in not only the weekly worship services but also the normal weekly activities and meetings that we always have. I confess that I have not missed the noise, dust, and traffic snarls that define downtown Rochester these days, but I have missed you all keenly – there is absolutely nothing that can take the place of the Spirit-inspired, faithful, and loving community of people that call Calvary home.

So, I will see many of you next Sunday. I know lots of you are traveling, and I keep you in my daily prayers. I will return to my sabbatical on July 30 and be back in mid-August for another brief interlude, returning finally on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. In late September/early October, I will take a few days more to visit my mother in Atlanta.

I have one piece of “homework” for you to keep in your prayers for your own discernment: I am thinking and praying about adult formation during this sabbatical time. We had an incredible program for adults’ spiritual learning and practice before the Covid pandemic, and we have not found the right program and leadership to bring a new adult formation into fruition since then. If you might be interested in working with me to create a new program for adults at Calvary, please be in touch.

In faith, with love,