Sabbatical 2022: Passing through NYC

After spending an extraordinary month walking through Spain, I returned to NYC to regroup, reconnect with April (our dog), and check in quickly with church staff and volunteers.
As I’ve written and spoken before, I continue to think of this sabbatical through the image and practice of walking.
I was glad to be back at the rectory in time to welcome the Rev. Graham Buckle and enjoy a little time walking with this colleague and dear friend (though I don’t try to keep up when he’s on his bicycle!) Graham is excited to be at Holy Trinity through July 31.
Summer walking in NYC reveals all kinds of surprises– like this inflatable palm tree sprinkler someone has attached to the hydrant for the neighborhood children to enjoy.
A huge and welcome surprise has been to walk into a rectory WITHOUT SCAFFOLDING! Since October 9, 2018, the rectory has been covered in scaffolding, which finally came down this week.
I’ve spent some deliberate time walking in NYC, exploring places like the High Line in Chelsea.
Just off the High Line in Hudson Yards, I could make a gentle transition from (big) Spain by eating at Little Spain, the food hall by José Andres, the entrepreneur chef who also is behind World Kitchen, which feeds people all over the world. (Great food that also supports a great effort.)
A beautiful neighborhood walk is through the northwest end of Central Park, Harlem Meer.
The walk through Harlem Meer is my favorite way of reaching the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Another sign of moving through the pandemic is the reopening of the gardens at the Cathedral.
The Cathedral has just begun weekly Choral Evensong on Sundays at 4PM. This was a perfect way for me to touch base with where I was ordained and to continue to offer prayers of thanksgiving for safe travel mercies and this gift of a sabbatical.
With the scaffolding gone, there’s a small space for a a quiet refuge to read, write, think, and pray. Next, I’ll go on retreat for a few days in Massachusetts and then head south to visit family.