Service or receiving?

At yesterday's Holy Week retreat... The leader was reflecting on the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet...

The bit that struck me the most, was the idea that in the act of washing feet 

Jesus shows true love – It wasn’t just a task to be done, but an opportunity to say his personal farewell to each one of his disciples. 

But it wasn't just a demonstration of offering love to others, but also an invitation to receive love. We cant give what we haven’t received. It’s an invitation to receive the love of Jesus for ourselves. 

Jesus asks us to receive from him – not just act in his name. Many want to be self sufficient, and find it hard to ask for help. Jesus says ask – because we need to recognise our own needs and come to him in openness to receive. 

Peter resisted Jesus washing his feet – I wonder how often do we do the same. It’s often easier to get on with the job of serving others, and forget our need to allow Jesus to minister to us, and then we wonder why we feel tired and drained.

Today  after spending an hour at the Cross with the retreat group, I am choosing self care and allowing space to receive God's love and rest. 

And praying for my friends and colleagues who still have a lot of work to do this weekend. 🙏🏻 

What do we store unnecessarily?

At today's session of the Holy Week retreat, we were reflecting on the story of Jesus turning over the tables in the temple.The session ended with this poem by Mary Oliver called Storage. 

How was your journey to Holy Week?

This evening as part of our retreat, we were encouraged to think about our journey towards Holy Week. Until last week for me it was incredibly busy trying to fit in all that needed to be done before sabbatical, and then last week where there was nothing (workwise) in the diary at all. It's not been the usual lead up to Holy Week and Easter and it has felt strange, but I am very grateful for the space. How was your journey to Holy Week? 

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and I watched 2 different live streamed Sunday services, neither of which really (wholly) concentrated on Palm Sunday so I missed waving my Palm crosses and singing Palm Sunday hymns. Which maybe why this picture struck me this evening, when we were shown some photos from the Holy Week Story. It's called Entry into the City by John August Swanson, and is a contemporary vibrant image of the ride into Jerusalem. Do you like it? 

Holy Week

A few people have asked how my first week has been..  to be honest it's been  bit weird... although just feels like I've been on holiday (at home). Had my dad staying with us so took him first to lincolnshire for a meeting (I stayed with friends) and then home to Billingham, where I was able to see another friend. Spending some time with dad was one of the things I talked about doing and so it was good to spend time with him without the demands of work getting in the way.

I had been due to spend the Easter weekend on retreat, but sadly it was cancelled. However, I have now signed up to a full week online retreat starting this evening with Scargill House. It will be strange not sharing Holy Week and Easter with congregations but I'm looking forward to following the week's journey in retreat and on my faith journey. 

It will also be a week of doing normal stuff....car MOT and service, a hot stone massage and a trip to the cinema with Andrew. I am enjoying having space to be kind to myself and spend evenings with Andrew. 

and so it begins!

Day 1! And I have to say it's with mixed feelings. I am ready for my sabbatical and I don't feel bad for taking it, but am feeling concerned for my colleagues especially as one is on long term sick and other on compassionate leave. I know that all will be well and God's in charge but doesn't stop me being concerned and they will regularly be in my prayers. 

Anyhow this week is a gentle week...resting, a bit of walking, doing some jigsaw, a bit of knitting, taking my dad home and seeing some friends.... some 'sabbath space'. 

getting ready!

Monday sees the start of my 2nd sabbatical, and so I've dusted off the blog I used last time. I am not promising to use it a lot, or that it will be interesting  - but I will try and share some bits and bobs. 

A sabbatical is a gift from the Methodist church for all ordained ministers every 7th year. It is not holiday or a chance to do nothing ... But an opportunity to do something different which benefits my ministry and a time of renewal, refreshment and rest.

Having tried to fit in too much on my last sabbatical, I am intending to have a gentler one this time - I'll be reengaging with my college dissertation on Sabbath theology and doing some reading around that, finding time to worship, to rest, retreat and reflect on my faith and ministry as well as spending time with family and friends.

As well as 2 retreats, I’ll be trying some crafty things – I’ve booked a half day introduction course on weaving, doing some glass crafting and hopefully finishing the cardigan I started knitting for myself 2 years ago, and look for ways to enable a better work life balance on my return, to keep me going until retirement! 

Sleep and doing nothing is definitely the first task though!