When you hear the word "sabbath", what comes to your mind?  We have just compiled a second book of articles based on that very question.  These articles were written by 10 people from our congregation, plus Ross Macnab and myself.  The variety is quite wonderful - we have pieces about running, about washing dishes, about watching the wonder of Creation, about the long tradition of going to church each and every Sunday of the year, about hammocks and canoeing, about camping, about time on the land without being "plugged in" to the rest of the world - we even have one that talks about enjoying the sounds of the "drinkin', cheatin', hurtin'" songs being pumped out into the night sky!  I strongly encourage you to stop by the church to pick up a copy of this book to enhance your summer reading, and to spark you into thinking about your own experiences of the things that soothe and nourish your soul.  This weekend I am heading off to Manitoba to spend time on the acreage that we own in Manitoba - an area which is mostly made up of many, many trees.  We set up our lawn chairs in the cleared off area, we open up our books, we have a wee sip of our favourite beverage, and we soak up the silence of the place.  That is one of the locations that comes to mind when I think of "sabbath".  Another place that comes to my mind is the deck I sat on this week with two women - we sipped lemonade and we chatted about days gone by - the conversation was light-hearted and the laughter came easily.  Another place that comes to my mind is my office - many conversations "of the heart" have happened as people have come and sat on my couch to share whatever is going on in their lives.  Sabbath is made up of so many different pieces - geography, comraderie, connection to heart and soul, silence, music, laughter and on it goes.  As we continue to move closer to summer, I encourage you to think not only of "time off", but to also bring to your mind those things that speak to you of life and love - those things that touch your spirit - those things that will lighten your heart and nourish your soul.  I look forward to more "sabbath" conversation whenever our paths should meet!