Embracing Shabbat: A Journey of Hospitality, Tradition, and Reflection with 2024 Confirmands

The Shabbat service and dinner was a truly special time for us all. Even though so much about the service was new and unfamiliar to our group - the ritual, the language, the community, the space - we agreed that the sense of God's presence was palpable. The hospitality that Mona and Mark extended by so warmly inviting us into their home was reflective of the extravagant love of God. And, remember don't embarrass the bread! The shabbat meal begins with a blessing of the wine during which the challah bread is covered with a white cloth (so as not to embarrass it for not being blessed first). Then, the children are blessed. The boys that they may be like Joseph's sons (the only brothers in the bible who do not fight) and that the girls may be like Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. Children are a gift from God, to be valued and cherished; a blessing for the generations to come.

Questions to wonder about together:

• Do you set aside time each week for a family meal? Would you want to? Why?

• What kind of food would you make if you wanted to make the meal feel extra special and different from other meals during the week? How would the table be set?

• What do you think about the difference in the Jewish tradition of reading prayers from a prayer book and the Christian tradition of extemporaneous/spontaneous prayer?

• Would it be hard for you to practice Shabbat? Meaning, would it be hard for you to "unplug" for one whole day a week, not doing any homework (right?!) but also not doing any screens, trying not to spend money? It is a day for fun and relaxing -- what would you do that is fun and relaxing?

To Know:

• How does the concept and practice of sabbath relate to the story of creation in the book of Genesis?

• What day of the week do Christians practice sabbath? Why?

• What theme do Psalms 92-96 and Psalm 26 share (the Psalms that were featured in the Shabbat service)?