Summer 2007

“Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey,
nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff…”
* Matthew 10:9

Dear Members and Friends,

As I prepare to be on Sabbatical from July 3 through the end of the month, I find myself much enamored by the “travel light” philosophy of Our Lord! Yet, I must confess that my own preparations involve a tad more baggage than was initially suggested to the disciples.

My plan is to be in Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia, teaching, worshipping, and hopefully, just being. Because I have been asked to present on a number of themes and topics, the truth is I have this lingering concern that either I will not properly anticipate what I need in order to be fully prepared, or I will forget to carry along those items, deliberately acquired, but accidentally left behind. Isn’t it great how within five minutes after arrival at a given destination one achieves instant and total clarity as to what was important to bring and what could easily have been kept at home? My own experience has revealed that usually there is a direct and inverse correlation between a given item’s usefulness and its gross tonnage.

After much thoughtful consideration, my priorities related to what I consider “must have” items are: my Bible, my camera gear, and a few boomerangs. Bringing her own unique expertise to the table, Lisa’s primary focus has been to increase my sensitivity to the importance of having various types of appropriate clothing and currency. She remembers all too well my former tendency to pack for a long weekend, using only one plastic A&P grocery bag. For whatever reason, Lisa has always been a tad partial to using actual luggage.

Overall, what gives me real confidence as I venture forth, is I know that when I leave, I will be taking the abundant love of my family, the generous support of my Church, and the abiding presence of Our Lord. With these things, I believe I can do whatever is needed, and beyond these things there probably isn’t much that will be truly necessary.

So often, actually since Abraham, faith and ministry have always been about venturing forth into areas personally unknown and uncharted. These locales can be geographical, but as often as not they are spiritual, intellectual and emotional. As one who enjoys the security of what is predictable, I must admit that it has been in the surprises and uncertainty that God has most deeply impacted my life, much for the better.

Thank you for encouraging me to open this new chapter of experience. My hope, and assumption, is that I will bring back home even more than I take with me, and that you too will have a “recreative” summer packed full of renewal and joy. In all your travels, whether at home or away, be present with the Lord, and know that the Lord is surely present with you. May you venture forth in excited anticipation and faith, returning safely with a fresh abundance of cherished memories of the places you have seen and people you have met.

Godspeed,

From Reverend William J. Keane, Senior Minister of First Baptist Church of Branford