For Sabbath's Sake

Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community

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In our culture of constant busyness, most of us feel like we're never caught up. The lines between home and work have blurred as we stay tethered to our mobile devices and computers. Many people use weekends to catch up on errands and other work that doesn't get done during the week. God's commandment to "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy" seems like a relic from a simpler time.

Many Americans balk at the idea of setting aside a whole day for worship, rest, and time with those who matter most to them. Yet we long for more time to spend on what matters most—unrushed time to rest, reconnect with friends and loved ones, and deepen our relationship with God.

An ancient spiritual practice exists that can help restore balance to our lives: the practice of keeping sabbath. But how exactly do we manage to build time for sabbath into our busy lives? Dana Trent explores this question in For Sabbath's Sake.

With humor and honesty, Trent reveals her own struggles with setting apart a day devoted to God, rest, and community. This eCourse traces the rich history of sabbath, helps you find ways to overcome barriers to this spiritual practice, and suggests achievable ways to build sabbath into your life.

Private eCourse classrooms with group rates are available upon request. If you are interested, email us at [email protected].


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Your Instructor


J. Dana Trent
J. Dana Trent

The Rev. J. Dana Trent is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and professor of World Religions and Critical Thinking at Wake Tech Community College. An ordained Baptist minister and former hospital chaplain, she has been featured on Time.com, Religion News Service, Religion Dispatches, as well as in Sojourners and The Christian Century. Dana is the award-winning author of books on holistic wellness and multifaith spiritual practices: One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic's Guide to Christian Meditation; For Sabbath’s Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community; and Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk. Her fourth book, Dessert First: Preparing for Death While Savoring Life, released in September 2019 from Chalice Press. Dana is a certified group fitness instructor and teaches for the YMCA. She and her husband, Fred, are longtime vegetarians and live in Raleigh, North Carolina, with their orange tabby cat.


Course Content


  Introduction
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the eCourse start and finish?
The eCourse starts when you are ready to begin and will remain open indefinitely. It’s self-paced, so you can decide when to start and when to finish.
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This eCourse is brought to you by The Upper Room.

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