PJ’s Page –
In our family, February marks the final month of the run of birthdays that begins in August and goes through February 23rd (Happy Birthday, Robert!) For many, February is a time for Valentine’s Day and Mid Winter Break. And we throw in a long weekend for President’s Day, as well in this shorter than usual month. This year, Lent begins early; Ash Wednesday is on February 10th. My thoughts will be with you all as you keep a holy Lent.
February will mark the beginning of my sabbatical. It’s often been observed that planning for something special is at least half of the fun. I wonder if that will be true? My planning has been done with mixed emotion; it feels hard to leave my community of faith behind, if only for a little while.
My first sabbatical “activity” happens right out of the gate, on February 1st, at a class called “Baking for Breakfast” at The Pantry Cooking School in Ballard. These classes are wildly popular; to register for them, I had to be ON my computer AT midnight when the registration went live. It seems that the reason they are so popular is because The Pantry focuses, not only on teaching about cooking, but also on forming community. As students gather around the table, time and care is taken to form community there. So, you can see why I chose to include this piece in my time of rest and renewal and considering how we are formed around various tables.
Later in February I will be in San Francisco, at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, observing how they care for the hungry through their food pantry that radiates out from their altar table. And at the end of February I will be in Brooklyn at St. Lydia’s Lutheran Church, participating in their unique dinner church liturgy.
I will be writing on my blog (www.runningtotelltheothers.blogspot.com) and I will remain active on Facebook. The Sabbatical Celebration Team is readying a bulletin board to post photos and letters, too. We will remain connected.
Our bishop asked me what my hopes are for the congregation during this time. What a great question! My hope is that you all will be intentional about gathering together for worship and fellowship. That my time away will not be your time away, but that our blessed community of faith will still gather, hear the Word, receive the meal, and be sent out into the world to do the work we are all called to in our baptisms.
You are the called and claimed people of God and I give thanks for you!
With great hope,
PJ+