By Michael Swartzentruber On Sunday, June 5th, I preached about my napping. If you missed the stories which book-ended my sermon, you can listen online (here). After sharing my varied experience of mid-day sleep, some of you shared with me your stories of napping, Sabbath rest (or lack thereof), and deep desire to experience soulful rest.  My favorite story was about a man, who will go unnamed (you know who you are, dear friend), who […]

In youth ministry, it can be a good idea to ask for phones at the beginning of a small group discussion. Turning off phones and stacking them on the table next to the group leader helps focus everyone’s attention. No one is overly concerned that their leg is buzzing with a text message or missed call. Some youth ministers even collect telephones and objects that are distracting in a special box until the group time […]

Intentional silence is a very enriching, though trying activity. Choose a period of time or an activity–like walking or hiking, either alone or with a loved one. Refrain from talking at all. Notice what happens in the silence: the desire to talk, the need to respond to what you see or hear or feel, the discomfort from the restriction of communicating. When author Wayne Muller first started practicing Sabbath silence he was utterly convinced that […]

June 5 – 12, June 19 – 26 (4 Sermons)  An overwhelmed schedule leads to an underwhelmed soul.  We work hard, try hard, study hard, even love hard… we seem to live from one breath to the next, from one vacation to the hope of the next. No matter how much we pack into our lives, something seems to be missing.  Explore the beauty and spiritual grandeur of Sabbath in its wondrous way of quieting […]

Associate Minister Holly Fuqua has a hair prayer. Each morning, when she dries her hair in preparation for the day, Holly prays.  It’s a rather mundane, regular moment on the face of it–something many of us do in the morning. Holly transforms this simple act into a holy moment, an opportunity to connect with God, give thanks for those in her life, and orient her soul for the day. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, rings a mindfulness […]