The first Sunday of sabbatical, Harvey and I worshipped at my dear friend Rev. Carol Petty’s church, Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Angleton, Texas. What a perfect name for this very special congregation. We loved worshipping with this hospitable congregation and enjoyed the delicious lunch afterwards.

The following two Sundays, I worshipped  and had communion in the ancient stone Iona Abbey in Scotland with Christians and seekers from around the world. What a blessing to realize that in this location, Christians and seekers have worshipped the living God for over 1400 years!

Iona Abbey, September 2009

When I came home after Iona for a week to check on my Dad in Dallas after his two surgeries, we worshipped at East Dallas Christian Church where the Rev. Deborah Morgan pastors. It was a joyous service of magnificent music, communion, and a masterful sermon.

While Harvey and I were in northeastern France, at a noonday service, we sat on the floor of the huge tent-like sanctuary  of Taize, filled with hundreds of twinkling candles and even more young people from all walks of life and from many cultures. What a sacred place! Harvey said that this was one of the most meaningful experiences of our travels.

Inside of Taize Sanctuary, September 2009

While touring through Wales, Harvey and I attended a short noonday mass at St. Winefride’s well in Holywell where each person was offered the blessing to kiss the relic of a finger  of St. Winifred’s that is encased in a jeweled monstrance. She and St. David are the patron saints of Wales and she was an abbess in the 600′s. Now, that was a first for us Protestants!

St. Winefride's Holywell, Wales, September 2009

During my three week stay at St. Deiniol’s Library, I had communion often early in the morning during the weekdays in the beautiful new chapel and then worshipped on Sundays in the beautiful ancient St. Deiniol’s Church (Church of Wales).

What a treat it was to participate in an early morning communion service at Chester Cathedral in the St. Werburga Chapel. She is the patron saint of Chester and was  an abbess in the 7th century.

St. Werburga Shrine in the chapel of Chester Cathedral

Two Sundays ago, we worshipped at Kingwood Christian Church where my friend and colleague, Rev. Renee Hoke pastors. It was a celebratory service with another wonderful sermon with a great powerpoint from this very special person who preached my ordination sermon.

While in beautiful British Columbia this week, being surrounded by God’s magnificent creation caused me to daily worship and praise our living God amongst nature.

Brenda appreciating God's creation on McKenzie Beach, Tofino

Today, Harvey and I worshipped with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont that is just down the street from our home. Rev. Nancy DeForest has a wonderful congregation of filled with members of all ages including many young families.

While I was in Europe, Harvey also took a sabbatical and attended several different churches. He enjoyed worshipping with a variety of churches and denominations. He also loved attending their Sunday Schools and seeing what they are doing during this weekly Bible study time.

It will be a joy to return to worship with my congregation, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Beaumont on November 22nd.

What a blessing to see that the Spirit of God is alive and working through all kinds of denominations. We can worship God wherever we are, but what a joy it is to gather with believers and seekers to worship, grow in our faith, and serve in the name of Christ. May the unity of the Spirit continue to bring people to faith in Christ and to allow us as disciples to be the hands, heart, ears, and feet of Christ to people in need of the good news of the gospel of Christ’s all inclusive love, forgiveness, peace, and acceptance.

Bread and cup to nourish and transform us to to be Christ's disciples-Iona Abbey

Blessings!

Pastor Brenda

Pastor Pilgrim Brenda