Shabbat Shalom
As you receive this, millions of people all over the world are preparing for a special day, Shabbat, the Sabbath. For some, Shabbat means a strict observance of dietary and lifestyle rules, to others it is just a time to gather with friends and families. It happens from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. In 48 hours, millions of christians will be entering a religious service; others who were holy enough to make it to the 9 o’clock service will be getting lunch right about now. All these people are observing the Shabbat, a holy day of rest. At Love City, we are coming out of our annual week long Shabbat.
Every year, on whatever week that the 4th of July falls on, Love City shuts down all programs and every one is off. There is nothing particularly special about the date for us, but it is in a time between seasons. Summer is traditionally our busiest time of year, with summer school, camps, volunteer groups, Fish Fry, events, and interns our time is filled quickly. We can get so wrapped up in what we are doing and forget to rest in it, we can forget to be thankful for the provisions, and we can forget to honor the gift that every day is.
Shabbat looks different to various sects within Judaism and Christianity and it looks different throughout scripture. Originally God created the earth and everything in it in six days and then on the seventh he rested in it. Then when the Jewish people had escaped Egypt and were in the wilderness they remembered the Shabbat and did not work, relying on God for provisions for that day. In Leviticus the same word for “holy” is used to designate the Shabbat in the same way as it was for the major Jewish holidays that all focused on remembering what God had done. In the New Testament, it is debated among believers what exactly the Shabbat is supposed to look like, but they all seem to agree that it is meant to be a time gathering with loved ones to share a meal.
In the same way, this week holds various meanings for us at Love City. It is a week to rest in the work we have been doing, to find joy in it and celebrate it. It is a week for us to remember the provisions we have been entrusted to take care of. It is a time to gather with family and friends and enjoy one another's company. The week helps us to delineate the year so far, to look back upon what has been accomplished this year and to look forward to what is coming next. Some years the pause is a welcome reprieve from the breakneck pace of the year and some years it is an inconvenient pause to an ambitious team. This year, it has been a reset to find joy in what has been done in our community so far this year.
We look forward to returning and gearing up for the new school year and wrapping up our final volunteer groups and events we have planned for 2023. We look forward to sharing more stories of what is being done in our community through the rest of this year. Shabbat Shalom!
Ethan
Fish Fry Closed Today! 7/07
As Part of our week of rest the Fish Fry will be closed today July 7th. We will be back to regular schedule next week. Be sure to join us next week for our first night of Karaoke, we will be frying fish all day with Karaoke going between 5pm-7pm.
4th Annual Westonia Water Wars!
It’s back! The largest water balloon fight in the west! Tuesday evening July 25 from 5-7. Come join us as we turn Westonia into a family friendly water park. In addition to the water balloon fight we will have a huge inflatable water slide, water slip n slide, ice cream, sno cones, cotton candy, and much more!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.