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KEEPING THE SABBATH ON THE PLAYING FIELD
In more and more communities both in the United States and in other countries, parents, religious workers, and students are trying to find solutions when religious services on Sunday mornings and children's sports events are scheduled for the same time. It isn't always easy to reach a decision that satisfies everyone. Donna E. Schaper is a minister with the United Church of Christ, and in this article she tells how she has retained a spiritual focus on Sundays while dealing with her own children's desire to participate in sports.
In my family, a conflict between a sports event and a worship service means an extra prayer before or after, family devotions at the meal before or after, and conversation about what we are grateful for, what we are worried about, and how God might help us.
We don't usually cut church for the children's sports events, but when we have, we've made sure that our children understand the omnipresence of God. During our private family devotional time, we share what matters to us, and then we share what matters to God. Sports are not demonized on behalf of God. Instead I feel there can be holiness in sports as in any activity. It comes from welcoming God. Instead of being only in a specific time or place, I see Sabbath as a time away from self and for God. Sabbath can come to people wearing cleats.
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June 21, 1999 issue
View Issue-
To Our Readers
William E. Moody
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YOUR LETTERS
with contributions from Elizabeth V Godfrey, Nancy Boyer-Rechlin
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items of interest
with contributions from William Rees-Mogg, Frank McCourt, Michael Adams
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Spirituality and sports: a proving ground
Reported by Rosalie E. Dunbar
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PETER V. UEBERROTH ON THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT
Peter V. Ueberroth
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KEEPING THE SABBATH ON THE PLAYING FIELD
Donna E. Schaper
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Red light, green light
By Nanci Newman
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WHEN TO BE STILL, WHEN TO GET MOVING
Barbara Beth Whitewater
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Cultivating deeper relationships
By Scott Parker Seagren
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No scars from an abusive past
By Sunny L. Wangler
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"Love is . . ."
Lois Rae Carlson
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God's help here
By David S. Osborn
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Infant's neck injury fully healed
Claudia Bratrude
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Prayer restores perfect vision
Kenneth Girard
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Back pain and knee injury healed
Carole Gardner Dykema
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Provoked by your children?
By Judith Haugan Ryan
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The face of God
Mary Metzner Trammell