The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
– Marcel Proust
Hi everyone,
Well, I am now officially back from my 3 month sabbatical and what a wondrous experience it was. Using the theme of “Slowing Down”, I visited three different countries to learn about raising snails and changing rhythms of life. I visited a snail farm in Crete and also worked at a snail farm in France where I learned so much and received so much hospitality from the owner, Romain, and his family. The end of our trip was in Ireland where we spend some time in Dublin, Counties Meath and Kerry where we made some new friends as well.
The list of experiences, reflections and learnings is far too large to offer here but some of the highlights were: Mont St. Michel (an ancient Abbey surrounded by water, Newgrange (a neolithic burial tomb), the butter and cheese in France (obviously), making new friends in every location, discovering the magic of pizza vending machines in France (best pizza I’ve ever had and yes I’m so serious), reading books I’d never had the time to read, learning everything about snails that I need to start raising them here (still so much to learn!) and being on a French television show because of my work at the snail farm (why has a French talent agent not called me yet?). Truly each and every day was filled with wondrous experiences, both large and small.
But, there is one wondrous experience I have not mentioned and it may have been the greatest of them all. It was last Sunday-my first Sunday back-when I slipped into church wearing a baseball cap and quite a facial scruff and I worshiped again with you from a back row. To be back here again with you in worship was more wondrous than I can explain. In some senses, by leaving I got the chance to be reminded of what we already know…that this place and this people and God’s work through us is wondrous and glorious. We are a beautiful community. I truly believe that this church matters in such a significant way for this day, age and time. Our joy in Christ’s love and our persistent call that love be lived out in justice and compassion is revolutionary these days in a new way I believe. I have seen magnificent things, but nothing like NHUnited!
And so, thank you. Thank you for allowing me as one of your pastors to have some time so that I could return with new and fresh eyes. Thank you also to the staff, guest preachers, committees and leadership of the church that worked so hard to make this possible for me. And, in particular, a HUGE thanks to Pastor Molly for her incredible leadership, wisdom and steadiness in making NHUnited thrive this summer. She deserves all our appreciation and applause!
Love you all and I’m so glad to be HOME.
Pastor Brent
