After 40+ years of pastoral ministry, with most Sundays being taken up with worship and/or preaching responsibilities, today was different. As of two days ago, I am in the “retired relationship” with the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church. That’s what it is called: a “retired relationship.” In other words, there is a relationship that exists after these many years with a people who seek to live out their faith in this part of the world. It is a relationship of accountability and of blessing!

Today was different for me because I had no responsibility for any church matters. I had to consciously decide how to spend my morning. Always before it was decided for me. I had some thoughts, but nothing was really firm. Already, I guess, I am releasing myself from always having to have a definite plan. Have some ideas and see where you feel most called when the time comes. So although I thought I would be attending worship in person somewhere locally, when I woke up, I found my heart being tugged toward the ocean which has always been a restorative place for me.

So, I decided to attend worship online with the good people at Washington National Cathedral in D.C. They’re a few hours ahead, so I got to their website at 8 a.m. and waited for the Prelude to begin. It was quite an amazing worship service, including inspiring Gospel music, wonderful choral music, and a thought-provoking sermon.

Then it was off to the beach in Carpinteria (CA) for the morning, where it was cloudy and cool. The tide was in, and the waves were relatively calm. It was a lovely time to meander off as far as I could in one direction and just listen to the music of nature and watch the seabirds do their thing. Along the way I picked up some shells, rocks, and driftwood that looked interesting. Mostly though it was about being immersed again in the rhythm of life. About beginning a new chapter. About taking what I’ve learned and the relationships that continue to be a source of joy to me and moving into new ventures and new places.

The past forty years of pastoral work have naturally involved a lot of writing — mostly related to ministry with the constant need to write letters, articles, columns, sermons, and liturgy. Now the writing I do will have more to do with what feeds my soul and nourishes my spirit on any given day. Perhaps some of my writing will also be meaningful to someone else along the way. I expect, although I don’t know, that my writing will mostly be poetry, blessings, prayers, and reflections on the natural world and our place in it. 

Thanks for tagging along!

Mark