Spiritual Rejuvenation

March 15, 2015

Area Religio us Leaders Unwind

Many people manage the stresses of daily life with the help of physical exercise. Others choose playing or listening to music to help ease tension, while some find reading the perfect way to unwind.

Local religious leaders are no different. Whether it’s physical exertion or mental stimulation, they find ways to relax and rejuvenate just like everyone else.

Physical Exertion a Release

Rick Stewart is executive/worship pastor at New Hope Church in Williamsburg where he leads the praise band, sings and plays trumpet. To get away from it all, he says there’s nothing like putting on his sneakers and heading out into nature.

"I enjoy running. I’ve run my whole life. It’s a good way to get the heart pumping," he said.

Stewart’s not alone in enjoying physical exertion. Both Father Anthony Citro of Immaculate Conception Church in Traverse City and Father Ray Cotter of Christ the King Catholic Church in Acme work out at a local gym.

"I love to exercise. I do some kind of exercise six times a week," said Father Anthony.

"I was never a gym person, but I like to stay in reasonable shape," agreed Father Ray.

Two-Wheeled Trips

Father Anthony finds pedaling his bike is also a great way to unwind, both for the physical release and to take in the scenery.

"I like to go bike riding. I’m right near the TART trail," he said.

Last year, Pastor Paul Tomlinson of First Presbyterian Church in Cadillac took up biking after not having ridden since he was a teenager, and he went after it in a big way.

Pastor Paul asked a few close friends he describes as "extreme bikers" to coach and challenge him.

"I took it up last summer after not riding since high school. I wanted something doable, but difficult," he said.

In his case, this challenge was the Leelanau Harvest Tour.

"In the 33 years of the tour, it was the worst weather ever," said Tomlinson.

Despite the difficulties, he braved the weather and completed the ride, which he said was "the first time in my life to have a physical challenge."

Pastor Sherri McGuffin of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Petoskey shares that passion. She finds bicycling, as well as hiking, to be great stress relievers.

"I can listen to myself and work through prayer," she said. "I like to do it where it’s quiet and get in the moment. It’s a de-stresser."

Father Ray also shares a love for twowheeled travel, though in a slightly different sense. He’s ridden his motorbike throughout the U.S.

"I have a passion for motorcycles. I’ve been all across the country, to 47 states and Canada," he said.

Music a Calming Influence

While amping up physically can be one way to calm down mentally, for many, music offers similar healing effects.

McGuffin finds playing guitar helps her achieve a different sort of serenity. That said, she admits her acoustic, meditative style overshadows one of her ideals.

"I always wanted to play like Led Zeppelin. That’s not happening," she said with a laugh.

While Stewart enjoys playing worship music as part of his pastoral job, he also finds playing other styles of music on his trumpet to be a release and joy.

"I play with the Bay Area Big Band and get the opportunity to play with Encore Winds and other groups," he said.

Tomlinson plays piano and Rabbi Scott Segal of Temple Beth El in Traverse City is an avid music listener who plays both guitar and drums.

Rabbi Segal’s musical tastes run the gamut from James Brown to Phish, Yonder Mountain String Band to Parliament/Funkadelic. He’s excited to have scored tickets to the final concert of the surviving members of the Grateful Dead this summer in his hometown of Chicago.

Uncommon Activities

Rabbi Segal boasts another talent he uses to unwind: he’s a juggler.

"My dad signed me up for a juggling class when I was 13," he said. "I learned how to do three balls and basic tricks."

He eventually put the balls down, but picked them up again in his mid 20s while in graduate school. He finds it relaxing, a way to zone out. He even once built a sermon around his juggling.

"It met with mixed reviews," he said with a laugh.

Pastor Matt Mabey of Bayview Wesleyan Church in Traverse City collects antiques and curios, spending time at yard sales, estate sales and auctions.

"My dad owned an antique shop and I used to go to auctions, be a runner. Friday’s my day off and that’s yard sale day."

Currently, he has a 19th-century cabinet in his office filled with antique tin cars and other treasures.

"My wife allows certain things in the house, then that’s it. My office is pretty much filled," he said.

Solo Pursuits

One thing these pastimes have in common is that most are individual endeavors. In a profession that demands regular and focused interaction with others, the appeal of solo activities to recharge the batteries is undeniable.

"I like to be solitary because I’m with people so much," said Father Anthony. This is true whether he’s lifting weights, biking or kayaking in West Bay.

Reading is another popular way to spend downtime. Virtually all those contacted said they enjoy reading, both as a part of their profession and as an activity outside work.

"I love to read, especially murder mysteries," said Tomlinson. "That’s my escape and adventure."

Listening for God

Pastors Vaughn and Hillary Thurston- Cox work together to minister to four churches in Harbor Springs, Alanson, Petoskey and Levering. Their busy weekend schedules leave them one day to spend outside of work.

"We take Friday off. We don’t do any church activity that day," said Pastor Hillary.

"The job can be very sedentary," she noted.

To combat this, they typically use their Friday for snowshoeing in the winter and kayaking in the summer.

With a 6-month-old, they haven’t been able to spend as much time outdoors this winter as they would like, but Pastor Hillary says they are already planning to spend Fridays at Petoskey State Beach this summer.

One thing they love most about their outdoor time together is the ability to unplug.

"There are no phones ringing, no emails," said Pastor Hillary. "It’s quiet and we can hear from God."

Whether reading, playing music or physically challenging themselves, these spiritual leaders say the rhythm of a different activity lends itself to finding a state of mind where they can really listen and discern.

"If I’m sitting and thinking through things, I might noodle on guitar," said Rabbi Segal. "If I’m trying to write, I prefer to listen to instrumental music."

Even when he’s finished his sermon, Segal then strives to get into the proper frame of mind to deliver it.

"P-Funk is good for getting into a good mood. I listen to it on the way to services. It gets me into a good place," he said.