Sabbatical begins

After the excitement of my final services we took a couple of days out to mark the beginning of the sabbatical. So a return to a favourite east coast destination. Staithes is a wonderful place to make a base from which you can easily get onto the costal path to walk and clear your head. 

Like all small communities Staithes has changed as peoples patterns of life have altered. The final Methodist chapel (Weselyan) has closed and turned into apartments. Love Divine, Sunday School, and Kindly Light. Amazing to think this small community had four chapels at one time. We remember seeing a handful of people still going to the chapel when we first stayed locally. Of course it highlights how our history of chapel building, resulting from the various strands of Methodism, has often sapped our energy with maintenance of the status quo. If only these chapels has come together sooner eg at Methodist union, then we might still be a force to be reckoned with.

So a few pictures of the delightful scenery 

that gives a person chance to unwind and let go. 

just resting

even when tide is out its still grea

So began a period of thirteen weeks. A gift from the church to be used this time to prepare for retirement, to move house and to collate some lockdown materials. 

Creator God 

who knows the importance of resting

still then our activity

and bless us with calm.

Lord Jesus,

who knows the importance of stopping

to pray and be alone.

Help us to be comfortable with solitude

and bless us with us 

stillness.

Holy Spirit,

who knows the need of presence

for there to be life.

Fill us then

that we might be both active

and still

and bless our lives

which carry the life of  God,

Creator, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen   

(c)  Mark Goodhand 10th July 2022