1. I hope that during this time of discernment that you increase your giving of time, talent, and treasure to the church. Now is the time to demonstrate in word and in deed that you love the church. Be the Church!
2. Talk to Suzanne Boisclair, our Chair of the Executive Board, for opportunities to step up your commitment to The Palms. Be the Church!
3. I like to sing loudly during the hymns in worship. Sing loudly this summer. Can’t sing? Sing even louder! Pastor Jim will love it! Be the Church!
4. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! Make sure you let Pastor Jim know the things he needs to know. He, like me, has failed mind-reading school. Talk with Lindsey, our Office Manager, talk with our Member-at-large of the Executive Board John Durbin. Talk and listen. But do more listening than talking. Be the Church!
5. Pray for Pastor Jim, and for the leadership at The Palms during this sabbatical time. Pray for each other. Pray without ceasing! Be the Church!
6. Be patient with Pastor Jim and with the leadership. I assure you that they’ll be trying their best, but mistakes will happen. Give them the grace needed for them to succeed. Be the Church!
7. Tell a pun or a dad joke in my honor. Remember to laugh a lot. Be joyful. Celebrate all of the goodness that God is doing. Be the Church!
8. Love each other unconditionally, work for justice for the marginalized, and provide radical hospitality to all. Be the Church!
9. Step up your involvement in activities while I’m gone. I know I have repeated this one in this list but it is really important. Be the Church!
10. Be The Palms! Be the palms of Jesus! Be the church!

1. But I had to quit my job at the helium factory. I won’t be spoken to in that tone.
2. Picking vegetables wasn’t a bad job, it did come with a good celery.
3. I quit my job as a personal trainer because I'm not big enough or strong enough. I've just handed in my too weak notice.
4. I got a job cleaning the building where the horses are kept. It's not much but it's stable work.
5. I just got fired from my job as a taxi driver. Turns out people don't like it when you go the extra mile for them.
6. I got fired from my job at the bank after just one day. A woman asked me to check her balance, so I pushed her over.
7. I always wanted a job cleaning mirrors...It’s just something I can see myself doing.
8. I quit my job at the concrete plant. My job was getting harder & harder.
9. I got fired from my job as a calendar manufacturer...All I did was take a day off.
10. I recently got a job as an elevator operator. It has its ups and downs.

This Sunday we will be celebrating Mental Health Wellness Sunday. That certainly fits that it is my last Sunday before Sabbatical because my leave is all about mental wellness – yours and mine!  There will be a litany sending me off. There will be a ministry fair before and after worship where you can find out about the various church ministries. Plus, there will be a hot dog (with vegan and vegetarian options) cookout!
 
My Sabbatical is from May 16 to August 15. My hope is that you continue to be the church throughout the summer.