Gratitude as God Watches Over “Our Coming Out and Our Going In”
/God is acquainted with all our ways… and will watch over our coming out and our going in-both now and forevermore.” — Psalm 121:8
There is a part of me that still can’t believe we got the CTS/Lilly renewal leave grant. My renewal leave begins after our Pentecost Celebration and covenanting with Rev. Kathy as our sabbatical minister on Sunday. It is so close! And the good news is that, after months of work, we are well organized. We have a great slate of guest ministers, spiritual practices, and creative projects that fit within the five elements of our “What Makes Our Hearts Sing?” theme. We have set things up so the church community can also have fun and experience renewal during what has been a particularly challenging and draining time in our nation.
You know I believe strongly in practicing gratitude. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to express a lot of it. This renewal leave would not be happening without the work of the impromptu “sabbatical team” that has emerged at UCH. My PPRC and our Council have been the core of that. And I want to especially acknowledge Kristina, who has done a little bit of everything (spreadsheet builder, administrator, proposal writer, order taker for the Filoli gardens excursion, and coordinator of guest preachers). We are excited to have Rev. Melissa Tumaneng (NCNCUCC Conference staff), Rev. Rhina Ramos (NCNCUCC Conference staff), Rev. Dr. Laura Jean Torgerson, Rev. Dr. Monica Cross, and Rev. Paul Gafney as guest preachers. Jennifer, Steve, and Jackie are also all leading worship experiences or preaching and sharing their gifts during this season.
Jessica also helped write the grant proposal and has made reimbursements and record keeping seamless, which has relieved stress for the Council and for me. Jackie and Laurie have organized the Order of Worship process that should unfold smoothly in my absence, Ashley is managing my professional page, Updates publications, livestreaming, and other things while I am away. Scout built the surveys you have been filling out online to provide information and feedback that have driven the entire process. And Steve and Kirk are making sure our worship services will have singable, well organized, shared music. Many of you have also quietly prayed for and encouraged the process, sent me cards, texts, and notes of support. I am grateful for you, and for your ongoing support of this body of Christ.
I also want to say “Thank you” to Rev. Kathy. In order to rest well and renew my spirit in this time of uncertainty and challenge in our nation, I needed to know that the community is well cared for and will have the ministerial support to face whatever unfolds. I am 100% sure that will be the case with Rev. Kathy and our sabbatical leadership team.
I also wanted to thank the congregation for the beautiful journal and pen I received at last week’s Lunch Bunch gathering. The embossed pattern on the outside of the leather journal is an Amaranthus flower. Amaranthus is found all over the Aegean, and in Greek means “immortal” or “unfading.” It is often used in threshold rituals in Greece and Turkey and is associated with the Goddess Artemis (Particularly Artemis of Ephesus-who was wildly popular in Ephesus in the Hellenistic age and is a primary reason Paul has a bee in his bonnet in the book of Ephesians). I am writing in my new journal already, and it is a particularly fitting gift to take with me on my renewal leave travels.
As I am preparing to take my leave, I want to invite you to follow my personal page (Jeanne Loveless) if you aren’t already on Facebook. I will be posting there from time to time about our travels and about my sabbatical experiences. I won’t respond in writing to your comments, but I’ll see them.
I also want to be clear that I am logging out of my church email, and will not be posting on my professional page, or on the church page. I will also not have access to Wi-Fi or cell service in Big Sur or be able to even use my US Sim while we are out of the country. So, I can’t and will not receive voicemails, or texts. I will return to UCH on September 13 and preach for the first time on September 20. We will resume Transitions Group and Scripture Seekers on October 1.
Lastly, I want to invite you to join us for worship this Sunday on Pentecost. May 24 at 10:30 Pacific. We will be celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit and birthday of the church on Zoom and Live-Stream. We will also be entering into covenant with Rev. Kathy and will also bless Christy, Clive, and me as I go forth on my renewal leave journey.
So again, thank you for making this renewal leave possible — not just for me, but for all of us. May God bless us richly and watch over us in this season of “our coming out and our going in.” In this present moment “and forevermore.”
With Infinite Love and Gratitude,
Rev. Jeanne
