TAKING BACK THE SABBATH: MOVEMENT HOPES TO RESTORE DAY OF REST, WORSHIP

In today's fast-paced society, it's hard to tell the Sabbath from the rest of the week.

It's a sad commentary on society, says the Rev. John Owen, pastor of Cape Girardeau's First Baptist Church.

"We have to be busy every minute. If we get a day of rest, so often we spent it being busy," said Owen.

Increasingly, Americans have gotten away from the sabbath as a day of rest. For many families, the days of Sunday picnics and walks in the park have all but disappeared.

"We get more distant from nature, I think," said Owen. There's less time for families to be together.

Owen opposed the repeal of the Blue Law in Cape Girardeau County. The law barred many businesses from being open on Sunday.

But in November 1984, Cape Girardeau County voters repealed the Blue Law and ushered in Sunday sales.

Owen said that has only made our lives busier.

The Sabbath, he said, isn't just a religious issue. "Even outside of that world, you can't argue the value to the human soul to have a day of rest."

Some business owners still refuse to be open on Sunday as a matter of principle and religious conviction.

Hobby Lobby Creative Center started closing some of its 196 stores 18 months ago.

It began by closing seven stores in Nebraska. Since then, the Oklahoma City-based company has been closing stores one or two states at a time.

Hobby Lobby stores in Missouri and Kansas, including the one in Cape Girardeau, have been closed on Sunday since Mother's Day.

By spring 2000, all of the Hobby Lobby stores in the nation are expected to have implemented the policy.

By that time, the chain expects to be operating more than 225 stores. "We are opening 30 to 35 stores a year," said Bill Hane, vice president of advertising for the arts and crafts chain.

Hane said the Sunday closings fit with the company's Christian philosophy of serving the Lord.

"We felt like we needed to give this day first of all back to God and secondly back to our employees."

Some customers have complained about the closings. The company is taking a financial hit too.

The company estimates it is walking away from more than $100 million in sales by being closed on Sunday.

Hane said the company hopes that sales eventually will pick up during the rest of the week.

The 13 Missouri stores already have higher sales for a six-day week than they did for the same period when it was a seven-day week.

But regardless of the economic bottom line, Hobby Lobby is committed to its closed-for-the-sabbath policy.

"We are committed to follow through -- win, lose or draw," said Hane.

Chic-Fil-A, a fast-food chain that has a restaurant in Cape Girardeau, has long been closed on Sunday.

"We don't go into a mall that we have to be open on Sunday," said Jason Whitener, who operates the local restaurant.

"Usually we are the only place that is closed on Sundays, including the Christian bookstores," he said.

The company's employees like the policy. "They want to work at a place where working on Sundays is not an option," said Whitener.

Many Chic-Fil-A employees regularly attend church.

The Atlanta-based company has about 850 stores in 38 states and five or six stores abroad.

Whitener said the company doesn't push religion to its employees.

"You don't have to go to church, but it is a day of rest and relaxation or worship if you choose."

The family-run firm relies on biblical principles. At the corporate offices in Atlanta, time is set aside for worship every Monday morning.

"Our main focus is not selling chicken. Our main focus is our people," he said.

Garber's Men's Wear in Cape Girardeau also is closed on Sunday.

It's a tradition at the men's clothing store.

"That is the Lord's day. That is our Sabbath. That is the very reason I am closed on Sunday," said owner Rodney Bridges.

"That day was given for us for a rest. We just don't need to be here on that day," he said.

Practices for a simple Sabbath

-- Make the time.

Set aside time for a family meal, for prayer or meditation or simply quiet reading.

-- Practice thanksgiving.

Give thanks before meals, upon rising, when going to sleep.

-- Bless your children.

Let them hear your prayers for their happiness.

-- Invite a Sabbath pause.

Choose a common act, whether touching a doorknob, turning on a faucet or hearing the phone ring. When you hear it occur, stop and take three silent, mindful breaths.

-- Take a walk

Stroll slowly for 30 minutes. Stop and observe whatever attracts you: a tree, a stone, a flower. Breathe.

-- Pamper your body.

Take a guilt-free nap.

-- Create a Sabbath box

Put your to-do list, your keys, your wallet -- anything you don't need in Sabbath time -- into the box.

-- Turn off the telephone

Or the computer, the TV, the washer and dryer. Create a period of time when you won't be disturbed by what technology demands of us.

Source: "Sabbath, Remembering the Sacred Rhythm of Rest and Delight" by Wayne Muller.