A vacation or holiday is a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism. The concept of taking a vacation is a recent invention, and has developed through the last two centuries. Once the idea of travel and recreation was a luxury of wealthy people alone. In the Puritan culture of early America, taking a break from work for reasons other than weekly observance of the Sabbath was frowned upon. However, the modern concept of vacation was led by a later religious movement encouraging spiritual retreat and recreation.
I know a pastor who asked his flock to bring home church bulletins from when they were on vacation. Not only did this encourage them to carve out time for church, but by studying it, he was able to glean an idea or two that he could use.
Every summer my wife and I vacation in New England. On the way, we stop for lunch with the brothers at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York. It is the mother house of the Order of the Holy Cross, an Anglican religious order inspired by the Benedictine tradition. Their primary ministry is to guests on individual and group retreats. There are 5 worship services each day: Matins, Holy Eucharist, Diurnum, Vespers and Compline. We usually attend noontime Diurnum which is held just before lunch.
When on vacation, stay for fellowship hour or coffee in the narthex and tell people about your home church and where you are from. That’s an easy conversation starter.
A lapse in our routine can lead us to forget what’s most important. When you’re out of town, research the local churches and their service times. Pick one that’s convenient regardless of denomination, Don’t take a vacation from God; do something spiritual as well as physical while away from your usual routine!
p.s. if you forget to bring a bulletin back with you, at least send a postcard to your church or pastor saying you haven’t forgotten God while on vacation.
David Robert Lambert 