Pastoral letter, from Mike

Dear Woodland,

In another time, another place, another church, the personnel committee in the congregation where I served created a sabbatic leave for me, allowing me to be away for the summer. The church’s policies, akin to those here at Woodland, provided for guest preachers, staff organization to cover pastoral care while I was away, and a committee structure to manage any church business that should arise during my absence. Needless to say, I was overjoyed. The general feeling in the church was pleasureful, with the exception of one man. He had been in the church his entire life and seemed to be proud of wearing the label – curmudgeon. He made an appointment to see me and to express his displeasure in my having a sabbatical. 

“I worked at the same company for over fifty years and I never got a sabbatical!” he harrumphed. I replied that I was sorry for that. He should have had one. Everyone deserves some time away occasionally, just to recalibrate one’s calling. He didn’t accept my further explanation that Jesus occasionally took sabbatic leaves – going to be alone with God, taking his disciples to the vacation spot known as Caesarea Philippi, a location that could have been called the original “garden of the gods.” That didn’t satisfy him either, so with one final shake of his head, he left my office in disgust.

 I went on my sabbatical and had a most meaningful time, enjoying a different place and a different perspective or two about my calling. I came home renewed and refreshed. Evidently it was obvious, because after my first sermon back, the old curmudgeon came up to me in the vestibule. He paused and his perineal scowl eased, “Just came to tell you that I was wrong about the sabbatical. It seems to have done you some good.” And with that he pivoted and left without his usual harrumph. 

 Our pastor has taken off on a sabbatical, and I’ve found myself considering what might be the best thing I can do for him while he’s away. What I’ve come up with is prayer – to pray for him, Cameron and the girls, that they might have times of joy and re-creation, and that they all will return renewed, refreshed and ready to further guide us in our callings. Who knows, maybe a regular prayer discipline for their callings might result in a revival of my own! 
 
Praying for holy pauses,
Mike Massar