On the seventh day God finished the work of creation, so God rested.
Genesis 2:2
Dear Friends in Christ,
An old-time chestnut asks, “How can you be most like God? Take a day of rest.”
In some ways, in some parts of New England, it’s called August.
But — there are deeper meanings, too. Obviously the obvious one: Sabbath, shabbat, or literally cease identifies us with our faith. It comes from the climax of the creation story. We go to Temple, Mosque, or Church. We listen, sing, and pray, and build community in God’s image. Maybe you know that some scholars think the reason the Egyptians were so angry at the Hebrews back at pyramid-building days is that Moses’ people took a day of rest and worship. There are things more important than working all the time. Like God.
There are many other layers to this story and this concept (a day of rest), and while the Labor Unions claim that they invented the weekend, it really goes back to Genesis and the God of creation. Plus, it is an enormous privilege to have a day or two off. It’s not global, and it’s not up and down the economic ladder. But thank God for blessings.
Still, it is pretty quiet around the Highlands in August. Things are growing underground, plans are being made, offices and lecterns prepared for September, all while we experience some sabbath rest across the month.
But — again — two of our favorite events take place at NHCC in August. The All-Newton, All-UCC (and now some Presbyterian) worship takes place on Sunday August 2, in our air-conditioned sanctuary. We invented it here six years ago, and it includes a community choir (thank you, Jan and Yevgenia) as well as visitors to the pulpit. This year the Rev. Dr. Eric Jackson, new-ish to Newton, is our preacher, and we celebrate community as “one church” at least for a day.
Then on three Wednesdays (12, 19, 26) we gather for a light meal, plenty of community conversation, and a brief devotional at dinnertime, instead of Sunday worship. This is our third year with this practice. Why? Well, often there are more people in town on Wednesday than on Sunday. Go figure. Or, come and enjoy — it is a perfect time to catch up, think about the future, and sing a cappella while praying together long before dark. We gather outside if weather permits. Kids run around. What’s not to love?
Another thing we love is our 80+ year tradition of lay preachers at NHCC. In the beginning it was 12 per year, then 10, 7, and now three. Although we could have more… The point is, it is a great reflection of Congregationalism in our Christian faith. And so far this year we’ve heard from Kitty Rieske exploring deep watering and things that grow in the dark (think of all the images of wells in scripture), and Randy Ellis with broad Biblical reflection on welcoming the stranger, refugee and “neighbor,” which he said is not only our faith, but it’s “quite efficient.” As I write, Lucy Barros has not yet contributed, but since she’s from Cape Verde, and since they rocked in the World Cup, she has a pretty good story already.
Cease, rest, renew, worship, pray, converse, restore, reflect and celebrate these Sundays and Wednesdays. It can be very quiet around the Highlands in August, and it can be very inspiring, too.
While you may not notice me all the time, I’m here for that Sunday and those Wednesdays, as well as in the office, so “see you in church.”
God’s peace to you,
