From the Rector…
I spent last week in Houston at the Episcopal Parish Network conference. It was at the Westin Galleria Hotel—yes, that would be a mall and where all future conferences of any sort really should be held. Before the preconference was over, I had already gotten a call from Steve asking if I had used the Amex at a shopping mall. Haha! Fortunately for him, I took the small suitcase so I couldn’t buy that much to carry back home with me.
In between all the shopping, I did actually attend meetings and workshops related to a variety of administrative and theological topics about the church. As a rector, I participated in the Rectors and Deans gatherings—networking with other clergy and hearing about the inspiring things that the church is up to around the country. I also attended workshops on creative staff leadership and visioning of sacred spaces. There was a beautiful tribute to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as several of his friends and peers offered a round table discussion on how he had inspired the church. Two female bishops – Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows and Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin took to the stage and shared their beliefs and work in the church. It was an incredible week in which those present were intentional in holding up the inspiring work of the church instead of getting bogged down in the decline of the church.
Throughout the week, I attempted to keep up with emails, texts, and administrative duties on my phone and iPad. When I checked my screen time on Sunday, it registered that I was up by 52% this past week. I realized that in the work related to the All Our Understandings campaign, I had not factored work screen time and personal screen time as separate and yet the same. I have only been focused on my personal screen time this Lenten season. I used my phone less at the conference for personal needs but experienced a significant amount more that was work-related.
As I approached this week’s Lenten practice of swapping out screen time for a non-screen related activity, I realized that it is much easier to reduce screen time at home than at work. I am constantly barraged with text messages and alerts at work that are significantly reduced when I get home. The real trouble is the level of distraction from creative energy and opportunities for visioning that screens cause in my work life. Instead of spending all my time on the computer—writing, reading, attempting to absorb all the information I can—I would much rather be visiting people, reading books, taking time to envision the possibilities of the church, deepening my own spiritual life.
When I first discerned the priesthood, it was not the administrative work that excited me, it was the ability to get paid to visit with people and grow as a Christian—who wouldn’t want to do that!? So, instead of screens this week, I am taking some intentional time each day to grow into my vocation. Sure, I am writing this on the computer, but the rest of the day I am spending hanging out with some of my favorite Christians, reading spiritual books, wrestling with this week’s lectionary, doing the things that draw me into deeper love of God. Screens make my work life easier, but they also take some of the joy and creativity out of my work.
So much of life is digital in our time. I don’t know that we can ever not live in a digital age. I don’t resent that, but neither am I fulfilled by that. Even in the space of a few short days, I am already reminded how much more fulfilling non-screen activities are in my life. The best parts of EPN last week were the times reconnecting with old friends, roaming a shopping mall even if I couldn’t afford it, and lingering over lunch. I don’t have to go all the way to Houston to discover the life-giving joy of a non-digital world. I can find that right here.
Light and Life,
Candice+
P. S. I am thoughtful this week in that loving God with all our heart, strength, and mind cannot be accomplished with a screen. It truly requires us to open ourselves to one another in intimate and honest ways. As we embrace the other, we find that vitality that sparks joy and gives breath to who we are in God’s eyes. The screen is not an enemy, but it is a distraction from all the ways God invites us into love. Maybe this week, instead of screens, we take a walk, enjoy the bright sunshine and birdsong that reminds us of the nearness of spring and fall in love with God again.