Monthly address

Reflections from the Glebe House
“I was just thinking...

...My sabbatical seems a long way away now!”

I’ve now been back at work for over a week, and with it being September, it feels as if I have hit the ground running and never been away! It’s been lovely to see everyone again and begin to think forward as to what God wants for Carnmoney as we move into the autumn. I shared a taster of what I’ve been doing over the last four months on my first Sunday back in church and will be speaking in more depth at the Community Friendship Club (8th October), the Men’s Group (10th November), and the Mothers’ Union (25th November). All these meetings are open meetings if you would like to come along and hear more (and see lots of photographs!).

This last year, I have been asked often what a sabbatical is and why I needed one (“After all, vicars only work one day a week don’t they?!”). Well, there is a sense that the busyness and pressures of work can, over the years, begin to take over, leaving the feeling that you are on a bit of a treadmill with the continuous rounds of visiting, preparation, preparing sermons, community meetings and all the other expectations that being a vicar brings. It has been wonderful for me to spend time off that treadmill over the last few months, and I’ve had more time to think, pray and rest, which will hopefully set me up again for the next few years of ministry here at Carnmoney. 

There’s an interesting story in Mark’s gospel where Jesus sends his disciples out on mission, a mission that is hugely successful. The disciples return telling Jesus about all the wonderful miracles they have seen as God worked through them. They really were full of enthusiasm and raring to go out again. But what does Jesus say to them - not to go out to the next village and carry on whilst God is working, but, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest for a while.” This was a principle he lived himself, often leaving his disciples to go off on his own and pray and also spending time with his friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He knew he couldn’t keep giving out without spending a corresponding time taking in.

If that was true for Jesus (and incidentally also God, who rested on the seventh day after creating the world), how much more important is it for us mortals to maintain those healthy balances of work, rest and play! Maybe for those of you who are retired it comes easier, but for me (and possibly for others who work), I’m learning (often the hard way) that my ministry will be much more effective now I’m back at work if I intentionally work these regular pauses into my life and seek those things that restore me and fill me up again. Carving out time each day to sit down with God and my bible is a vital part of this, but also simple things like going for a walk or a run amidst all the clamours of work really help to keep me going.

And as we move forward, I am convinced that, despite the fact that we are an ageing congregation and live in a society which is largely oblivious to the concept of faith and the relevance of God and the church to their lives, we do have a vital message to tell people - simply that God loves and accepts them and wants to be involved in their lives. Hopefully we can shape our church life to make sharing that message easier (and yes, I have returned with a few ideas!), but it needs to be a team effort with everyone who considers themselves a member of Carnmoney offering their time, gifts and money and playing a part in the life of our church. So as we move forward under God’s guidance and seek to grow our church, please do ask yourself what part you can play in the work of God in our community and what contribution you can offer to the life of your church?
Andy