I remember Sunday as being a day of church, naps, reading books, family time and sometimes-being-bored. After all, why would anyone need to rest more than at night??? Whatever the case, I understood that the Sabbath was different. It was Holy. It stood for a remembering of the Jewish practice of Sabbath-keeping. Sabbath remembers the Genesis telling of the fact that even God rested. So who are we to argue with a practice that God began?

For those of us who are (obviously) of the Baby-Boomer-or-older-generation and of the Christian tradition, we can remember what Sunday, the Sabbath, used to mean in the rhythm of our lives. I know that my grandfather had no bovine breaks but even if the cows still had to be milked, Sunday was a different day; a day of faith and of rest. As some of my older friends will remind me, quite often the preacher would come to dinner on Sunday. Then it was really a day to bring out the best china, the fried chicken, and be on your best behavior!

My memories of the Sabbath always involved church/community, family, and quietness. The cover photo reminds me of that sense of Sunday and of the larger Christian community. We can be seen as individuals, yet community, resting comfortably… as if we are invisibly tied to one another. We are in a posture of renewal, reflection, and preparation for a new day of work, together.

This issue of EcuMiniNet™ Online! is devoted to perspectives of Sabbath and reflection. It is also about some thoughts, discoveries, and practices that reflection and prayerful courage, and change has produced. May you be blessed with a sense of peace, the love of God in Christ, and yet the challenge for faith while your share your time with us

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." (Psalm 23:1-3)

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." (Genesis 2: 2-3)

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." (Exodus 20:8 New International Version)

Janine C Hagan

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