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Summer Sanctuary


This last week before my holidays has been extremely busy, and so during lunchtime one day I snuck away into the sanctuary for a few moments of calm to collect my thoughts. As much as I love this space when it is full of our presence, our stories and our laughter, it can be almost mystical in silence and stillness.

There is beauty in the simplicity of our Sanctuary. When I sit in the silence I can sense the sacredness around me that has
been created by all the meaningful moments this space has held. Yet, there is a sense ofwelcome too. As if with open arms, it is always ready to hold space for you and all the scattered thoughts you bring.

This Sunday I will introduce our summer theme of “sanctuary” and invite us to think about the many ways we find sanctuary from the busyness of our lives, or the worries that consume our thoughts. Sanctuary, quite literally means, a place of refuge or safety. I wonder where you find such places in your life. Sanctuary for me can be a walk in the evening, a resting place by the river, observing a sunrise at our family lake cottage, or even just sitting quietly in a familiar, comfy chair.

We all need to take some sanctuary time now and then. Wherever you find that place of refuge this summer, I hope it will be a time for you to stop your doing and just be – a time to take stock and regroup in order to digest what has been and where you are going. I am reminded of the focal scripture passage from our recent regional annual meeting. Jeremiah 6:16 – Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

Peace and joy this summer,
Nancy