Weekly Clergy Letter From Mother Anne Turner

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

Often, these letters are an encouragement to you to do something—to come to an event, to take up a new practice, to engage in some kind of service.

 

All of these things are important.  But this week I want to encourage you to the opposite: I want to encourage you to do nothing. 

 

During June, the activity of church life ebbs.  Formation hour is on summer vacation.  The liturgical calendar gives us the long, green season after Pentecost.  These changes give us the opportunity to enjoy what we so desperately need, which is rest.

 

In talking with many of you, you are tired.  This does not mean that you love Grace Church any less, or Jesus any less.  It means that you are human and share the human condition of finitude.

 

The danger, for us who stretch ourselves beyond our capacities, is that we might diminish our love.  Instead of serving from excitement or dedication or connection, we can serve out of hardened duty or even resentment.  This is not who or how Jesus wants us to be.

 

Sometimes, discipleship is not doing more.  Sometimes, discipleship is doing less.

 

I invite you, in this season, to consider the model of Jesus himself.  Jesus knew the sabbath law, and he understood the way we not only take sabbath for ourselves but give sabbath to one another.  When we go apart to rest and pray, we allow others to do the same.  We give each other permission to be whole.

 

The staff know that their rest is important to me.  I encourage us to observe our days off, and I ask that staff do not email outside of their regular working hours.

 

I want you to know that your rest is important to me, too.  If you are coming to church with a sense of burden, you can stop.  That is not the life Jesus wants for you.  No program or event or ministry here is worth your soul.  Come and talk to one of the clergy and we will help you find a healthier way forward. Come instead and just sit in the pew (or, for now, in a chair in the auditorium) and let the Spirit refresh you.

 

Rest in God’s arms.  There is nothing more important for you to do.

 

Yours in Christ,

Anne+