Index of Rev. Grey's Columns

Thoughts as Sabbatical Comes To An End: On that early January day of new beginnings, in our worship space made sacred by many dreams, we prepared to enter into sabbatical time. We gathered our thoughts into blessings.

You offered me your hopes and prayer, that I would take the time to hear the spirit in the silence, that I would give myself the precious gift of stillness, that I would let myself be open and receptive. I offered you my deepest prayer, that in the months to come, while we were apart, you would learn from each new experience and grow in mind and heart, spirit and connection.

We prayed for each other, that we would learn from the expected and the unexpected, that we would live well and safely, in the spirit of peace, that we would take risks that bring discovery. And that, in times of joy and sorrow, we would hold each other and be held in the hearts of caring companions, and blessed by the gracious spirit of love. I promised that when I return for the first Sunday in June, I would bring a flower for our Flower Communion. I asked you to bring one, too.

Now our sabbatical adventure draws to a close. I am preparing with enthusiasm to return to our congregation, and you are preparing to welcome me home. I will be back in the office on June 1, and June 5 we will bring flowers for the communion ritual that celebrates our unity as a faith community. As so often is the case, this service will serve as both an ending and a new beginning.

In the weeks and months to come, we will have a leadership start-up and other opportunities to draw on and learn even more from our sabbatical experiences, offer each other our thoughts, contemplate new ideas, imagine new possibilities, and move forward into our future together.

A colleague said to me, "What is the most important thing you learned on your sabbatical?" This came to mind immediately -- "Mindfulness and gratitude make life joyful!" I have had time for mindfulness, and for the deepest appreciation that comes from awareness of the amazing gifts of life.

I feel gratitude for you, who have given me the gift of this sabbatical, for all of you, ministers, members and friends, who have taken extra leadership and responsibility to nurture and tend our congregational life, for all of you who have offered your thoughts, your creativity, and your love, to one another, to our congregation, and to our faith. Thank you for everything. May love bless you, today and every day.

In faith, with love,

Nina