Once in a blue moon

Note to self: Green bag is only a carry-on if nothing is placed in the front pockets. A small incident trying to get my bag in the overhead, but folks were more patient than I might have been. Traveling mercies indeed.

Seated waiting for my flight to Tel Aviv, the moon is stunning. Turns out tonight is a blue moon as in once in a blue moon. It's the rare occurrence of two full moons in one calendar month.

A great way to begin the Sabbatical.

Guide us waking, Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

My bags are packed

First. Apologies to all who received a million email messages from me telling you that I'm on Sabbatical.

Trying to set my away message apparently I made a mistake in settings (mistakes--that's an understatement).

I am horrified and so sorry.

I decided to try lighter travel.
22 days worth of clothes in one carry-on. Truth be told, I have packed every inch of my suitcase and my day pack,
But I've done it. Traveling mercies abound.

See you in Newark.

Countdown to Sabbatical: Sunday

Today we celebrated St. Mary's Sunday with worship, a fabulous feast, prayers, renewal of baptismal vows, mission stories, blessing of students, school staff, and backpacks, a children's sermon, and of course, cake.

It was my last Sunday in the parish until the Feast of the Epiphany. Being with these folk I've loved for over fourteen years, I am truly thankful that I am saying goodbye for four months and not forever, as their rector, that is, as it would have been had I been elected Bishop Suffragan in June.

The reading from the Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 67, which was the assigned reading yesterday, is especially pertinent:

Let the sisters who are sent on a journey commend themselves to the prayers of all the sisters [and brothers] and of the Abbot; and always at the last prayer of the Work of God let a commemoration be made of all absent sisters [and brethren, too].

I feel truly commended.