Sharon’s Sabbatical 2024
Sharon’s Sabbatical
I wrote a little about my sabbatical in last month’s newsletter but there is so much more to share that I hope you’ll bear with me if I tell you more about it. I mentioned previously the retreat at Lee Abbey which was entitled ‘Encountering God in Nature’ and shared about Encountering God in the Depths. Let me tell you about Encountering him in the Heights:
Our group took a largely silent walk to a place at the top of the cliffs called Jenny’s Point. Being quiet as we walked helped us focus on creation and really notice the sights, sounds and smells around us. As we emerged from the trees, this was the view that greeted us – totally stunning I’m sure you will agree.
Everywhere we looked there was beauty to be seen – God’s abundance showing itself in creation whether or not there was an audience to marvel at it, as if God delights in creating and re-creating simply for its own sake and the joy it brings him – as if he just can’t help himself!
We stood at Jenny’s Point, bathed in the loveliness around us and sang unaccompanied the Taize song: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest. Wonderful!
Near the cliff edge was a stone which had these words on it:
O Lord, how manifold are thy works.
In wisdom hast thou made them all.
The earth is full of thy riches. Ps. 104: 24
Glory to God belongs
Therefore we raise our songs
Our Maker’s love to praise
And thank Him for the grace
That He our Father is.
The views from the cliff tops were absolutely wonderful.
It was a lot further down than the photos suggest!
(Above) My attempt to paint from memory a view with foxgloves – but sadly I’m no Monet! However, I include it anyway because the point of a sabbatical based around art wasn’t necessarily about creating wonderful drawings or paintings but about enjoying the experience of it. Which I certainly did!
Jenny’s Point is also the place where a cave in the rocks doubles as the tomb for Lee Abbey’s Easter services: