March Sabbatical Update
The
members of the Sabbatical Task Force have been invigorated by the process of
planning for the Sabbatical. We are also
confident that our congregation will together develop and deepen as a faith community
during this period. Our church theme for
this year is “Sacred Spaces” with four areas of exploration including
body/self, home/family, nature, and public worship space.
The
worship schedule as detailed below provides opportunities to encounter God in
all the Sacred Spaces in our lives. This
amazing array of worship leaders for our Sunday services offers us many
wonderful opportunities to experience a variety of rich spiritual voices.
March 30 Liturgy
of Parting led by Rev. Cindy
April 6 Lifesaver
Communion
April 13 Sacred
Spaces led by Rev. Cricket
April 20 Public
Worship: Drumming led by Matt Meyer
April 27 Body/Self: Meditation led by Emily Teller and Christina
Williams
May 4 Body/Self: Laughter and the Soul led by Lisa Wessan
May 11 Home/Family led by Rev.
Cricket (Happy Mother’s Day)
May 18 Public
Worship: Buddhist Traditions led by Ajahn
David
May 25 Scripture
Liturgy led by Doreen Oughton
June 1 Nature: Flower Communion led by Rev. Cricket
June 8 Religious Education Sunday
June 15 (9:30) Nature: Garden Worship led by Betsy O’Keefe
June 22-August 3 Summer
Worship
During
Reverend Cindy’s seven years at First Parish, she has helped us to create a
community full of warmth, compassion, and joy.
Because of her ministry, we are now equipped to embrace the challenge
and opportunity of sustaining one another and providing companionship in both joyful
as well as difficult times. During the
Sabbatical, Rev. Cricket will provide emergency pastoral care to the First
Parish community and will be joined by a team of lay leaders who will assist
with pastoral care. Reverend Cricket
will meet with the team of lay leaders on Sunday, April 6th after
worship to help them prepare for their pastoral care ministry.
Please
reserve Sunday, March 30, 2008 after
the worship service (11:30 am to 1:00 PM) to celebrate the launch of the
church’s sabbatical and to say “bon voyage” to Rev. Cindy. We will enjoy a light lunch and some sumptuous
sweets with Rev. Cindy, Rev. Cricket, and one another. Please contact Christina Williams or Betsy
O’Keefe if you have any questions or would like to help.
“STAY
TUNED” for your APRIL Parish Post which
will have more information about nurturing activities for adults that will be offered
during the church’s sabbatical as well as details about pastoral care.
Sabbatical Task Force: Nancy Ellis, Janice Maienza,
Jayne Mattson, Bob Murphy, Besty O’Keefe, Deborah Romeo, Emily Teller, Christina
Williams