Pastor John's Sabbatical

September 11-18, 2016

American South West

 

 

In Albuquerque, I visited the Center for Action and Contemplation, where a favorite writer/theologian of mine, Richard Rohr, is based. As I went into the facility to attend the group centering prayer on Wednesday morning, I met this dear couple, Philip and Barbara, and wouldn’t you know they were from Ireland! They were in Arizona for their son’s wedding, and are fans of Father Rohr as well. I had fun telling them how much Susan and I enjoyed our time in the Republic of Ireland. 

August 12- September 4, 2016

Scotland and Ireland

 

The Bogside Murals in the Catholic portion of the city give the people's perspective of "The Troubles." This dove was created by an artist who gathered the ideas of both Protestant and Catholic children. 

It was great to meet Susan in Dublin after a week alone in Scotland! We joined a coach tour the next day. Here we are at a monastic site called Glendalough. It was raining that day, but more often than not we've had decent weather. The Irish have said we've been lucky!

This is the abbey on the island, a short walk from my hotel. I took part in morning and evening prayer here. What a wonderful way to begin and end my days!

This is the view from my hotel window on Iona. To get to this small island, I travelled by train, ferry, bus, and then ferry again ( it's an island off an island). St. Columba started a monastery here in 563.

On Sunday morning, August 14, in Edinburgh, Scotland, I worshiped with the people of St. Giles Cathedral, Church of Scotland (Presbyterian). Great sermon, wonderful choir, beautiful sanctuary. By the way, their membership is about the size of Prince of Life!

On my first night in Edinburgh, I was fortunate to have a ticket to the "Military Tattoo," a performance of military bands, including bagpipes and drums, from around the world, and staged outside the castle. Fantastic!

August 4-7,2016

Backpacking in Sisters Wilderness

Here we are, several miles into our backpack trip into the Three Sisters Wilderness. From eft to right are my friend Peter Kugler from Eugene (Pastor Rob Kugler’s brother), me, friend John Welty from Eugene, son-in-law Kyle Sampson, and son Toby. Behind us is Park Meadow and Brokentop, which we eventually hiked to the base of.

On our third of the four-day, we day-hiked up to the base of Brokentop and saw spectacular scenery. I love these alpine meadows. The whole amazing and beautiful eco-system here really speaks to me of the artistry of the Creator.

And now, off to Scotland and Ireland!

 

July 24-August 2, 2016

Salt Spring Island

One of the goals of renewal time is renewal with family. Susan and I, our three children, son-in-law Kyle and father-in-law Bob spent a wonderful ten days on the Canadian Gulf island of Salt Spring. This was taken on one of the beaches  We enjoyed long hikes, paddled out into the bay in kayaks, visited a goat cheese factory, and played.

This is the view of the harbor off Ganges, from the house we were able to rent. I was often the first one up, enjoying a cup of coffee, and giving thanks to God as I took in this view.

It was fun to play and sing together as a family. This is on the front porch of the house. You can find the chords and words to any song online!

This was Toby’s sleeping accommodations every night. Susan and I thought we’d try it out….

 

July 15-22, 2016

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

 

The evening worship services at St Olaf this week walked us through Lent and Holy Week, to demonstrate possibilities. In this picture, the altar is set up for Ash Wednesday. Notice the painting in the chancel, the work of a former student. It spoke to me of the verse in Isaiah 53 that we read on Good Friday: "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."

As I walked towards the sanctuary, I saw this display of probably 30 photographs from a local artist. She has placed a Scripture passage below various images. Below the young woman with the colorful Mohawk and the older man with the clever umbrella are the words of Isaiah 51:11- "Everlasting joy will cover their head." 

Sunday morning, July 17, I worshiped with the people of God at Central Lutheran in downtown Minneapolis. The church has a beautiful sanctuary that seats 3,000, and a wonderful pipe organ. They also have a "Restoration Center" in the fellowship hall Monday morning, providing services and a hand-up to those experiencing house-lessness. 

Sunday morning, July 17, I worshiped with the people of God at Central Lutheran in downtown Minneapolis. The church has a beautiful sanctuary that seats 3,000, and a wonderful pipe organ. They also have a "Restoration Center" in the fellowship hall Monday morning, providing services and a hand-up to those experiencing house-lessness. 

My renewal theme involves having the time to really see...to be observant...to notice the presence  of God all around me. I love this quote in the exhibit from Georgia O'Keefe: "In a way nobody sees a flower- really- it is too small - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time." 

 Over the weekend of July 15-17, I visited Minneapolis before attending a conference at St. Olaf, south of the Twin Cities. Small world: the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts was exhibiting 39 of Paul Allen's private collection of landscape paintings. The exhibit is called "Seeing Nature." Timely for my renewal theme, right? 

This Claude Monet water lily is from the last years of his life, when he only painted water lilies as his theme. He kept seeing something new. I am reminded of coming back to familiar sections of scripture again and again, and finding something new. My life has changed; the Spirit speaks to me what I need to hear.  

July 12-14,2016

Philadephia, PA

This is Pastor Kari Lee, from Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion in downtown Philadelphia. I knew her mother when I pastored in Eugene. Pastor Lee' s father was a church historian at our seminary in Mt. Airy, where we met for coffee. She benefitted from a Lilly grant five years ago, so she was very interested in my plans.

 

July 8-11, 2016

Cincinnati, Ohio

This is the view of the city from Mt. Adams, and the RC church.

On Saturday afternoon, after I enjoyed the wonderful ( and free!) Cincinnati Museum of Art, I came upon the beautiful Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculata in the charming Mt. Vernon neighborhood, where I attended a 4:30 mass. The priest gave a wonderful homily on the Good Samaritan story. After the week of horrific deaths in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas, he  drew our attention to the work of reconciliation with our neighbors different from us. I even received communion at this RC church!

This painting, called "Shepherd and Sheep," from the Cincinnati Art Museum, is by the Dutch painter Anton Mauve, from about 1880. As I gazed at it, I reflected that my people are pastoring each other, and are being pastored by others. I am grateful! 

July 2, 2016

Portland, Oregon

This is what not-writing-a-sermon looks like on the 

first day of my renewal time! Great time with family at the Waterfront Bluesfest!