Hi COTC,

In his book, The Deeply Formed Life, Rich Villodas' opening chapter is titled, Contemplative Rhythms for an Exhausted Life. He opens the chapter by sharing about a doctor who in 1901, coined the term "Newyorkitis to describe an illness that had symptoms including edginess, quick movements, and impulsiveness." Rich goes on to wonder if that's what the doctor observed 100 years ago, what that might means for us today with the invention of "internet, high speed cars, and other technological advances?" I wonder too, how the pandemic has impacted our rhythms rest, with so much working from home, less time with others, etc. Rich says "we are a people out of rhythm, a people with too much to do and not enough time to do it," and I can't help but wholeheartedly agree with him. Thankfully, the book does not end with this statement and for those of us who follow Jesus, there are clear practices and scripture that point us toward rediscovering or maybe finding for the first time, rhythms of rest; in fact Jesus even rested! 

Later on in his book, Rich shares about practices of contemplative rhythms and one of the practices he discusses at length is sabbath keeping. There are plenty of definitions of sabbath out there, but I really love how Rich explains it as "a weekly twenty-four-hour period of unhurried delight with no have-to or ought-to, resulting in deep rest and renewal. He goes on to say "The contemplative life is about slowing down our pace to create space for God to transform us by his grace." While rest or sabbath, likely look different for each of us, they are an important part of our spiritual formation and life as Christians. I know many COTC folks have great regular rhythms of sabbath, but if this is a new practice for you, a small step toward engaging in this practice might be setting aside an evening for sabbath-ing; time free of screens and for unhurried delight, as Rich says. 

We've been reading through The Deeply Formed Life as a staff this summer and the section on sabbath stirred up so much conversation among us. We shared some of our own rhythms of sabbath and discussed that there is space to be creative in what sabbath looks like for each of us. I find that for myself, the Lord finds ways to remind me from time to time, just how important rest and sabbath are. This summer has been one of this times, so I've found myself rethinking how I sabbath and what it looks like for my family. As things slow down a bit, it feels like an appropriate time for each of us to consider how we sabbath; the ways in which we slow down and create space for God to transform us. 

If you want to learn more about sabbath and rest, of course Rich's book is a great place to learn. Also, one of the priests in our diocese and his wife have a great ministry geared toward this called Unhurried Living. I also really loved A.J. Swoboda's book Subversive Sabbath: the surprising power of rest in a nonstop world. 

Praying peace and space for unhurried living over y'all as you enter into the weekend,
Kimberly+

Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.
Deuteronomy 5:12-14