“The fundamental law of human beings is interdependence. A person is a person through other persons.”– Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a lifelong activist for racial equality and against South African Apartheid

What an exciting long Cup Match weekend! For many Bermudians and even non-Bermudians, Cup Match is a very significant time, a time of celebration and fellowship, whether around the cricket field or at one of the many boat raft-ups, camp sites or backdoor barbecue parties.

It is fun to be with people and build shared memories. It is fun to wear our colours to let others know which team we support and to do things we normally have no time for.

More than just cricket

Cup Match began as a celebration of the Emancipation Act which became law in Bermuda on August 1, 1834. While this act did not bring equality and justice immediately, nor stop racism once and for all, it ended a horrific system of exploitation and deprivation.

And 191 years later we are still striving to make much needed improvements in our society to enhance and provide for the sustaining dignity and honour of every human being. However, we are on a journey and hopefully we will continue in that direction.

It is indeed a reason to celebrate Cup Match every year to continue to grow together as a community in Bermuda. For many it is a very personal and meaningful holiday as well, not only because of its origin, but also because of its traditions.

Recall the Cup Match good times

Do you remember those childhood picnics on long summer days, soaking in the warm ocean and then have a snowball or home-made lemonade? What was your favourite flavour for the snowballs or slushies? Best of all, we meet up with family and friends and have time for each other.

Balance between social and solitude

Truly, Cup Match is a time for being with others. Some of us plan those two days of celebration for weeks, what to eat and what to wear, and then there are those two days people seek out each other, enjoy and party.

And there is a time for solitude, a time to reflect and slow down, especially after big social occasions.

The weekend that follows the holiday is a great opportunity for that. While social activity and party has its time, solitude has its time as well.

After Jesus had fed the 5,000, He “immediately … made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” (Mark 6:45-46; NRSV)

There are several other occasions in the gospels when Jesus and his disciples decided to retreat and find some solitude. It is a very human and wise reaction, especially when times are busy.

You may know that in some European countries employees are required to take their five weeks of paid holidays, and are forbidden to take on any other gainful employment in those weeks, and in others it is highly recommended, even by the employers to take the full five weeks.

To take a break and rest is an ancient concept we find already in the Old Testament, at the very beginning. Genesis 1 tells us that even God rested on the seventh day, and in the Ten Commandments (Exodus chapter 20) he made a day of rest and worship per week one of the commandments for us to live by.

Benefits of special times

When we take time for social activities and times to rest and reflect, we actually regenerate and build up strength and may develop new ideas and sort our plans for the future. We can concentrate on what is essential and important, rather than trying to fix what is or appears urgent, and also we give our body, mind and soul a chance to reboot.

I think it is great that the Cup Match holiday is extended by the weekend. For many of us, this means four days without the hustle and bustle of work. We can spend time socialising and may still find a quiet minute to calm down and meditate.

Thus, to me Cup Match serves two great functions, it brings people socially together, and it helps us to take time off. The art of taking a regular break, of stopping what we are doing day in and day out, can actually help to be more productive than working all the time and it has immense health benefits.

It re-regulates our nervous system. The face-to-face interaction with family and friends helps us to re-evaluate life. In the end we are human beings, not “human havings” or “human doings”.

In addition, it is a great opportunity to enjoy good food and find some entertainment, play marbles, skipping, jacks and hop scotch and pass on traditions to the next generation.

Learning from a holiday trip

When we visited this summer the city of Hamelin (as in The Pied Piper of Hamelin), there were hopscotch patterns, as well as football and ping-pong tables, permanently integrated into the pedestrian zone. Visitors are encouraged to pick up balls and paddles from the shops next to it and play.

Visiting Denmark on the same trip, we were introduced to “hygge”. Google’s AI explains it this way: “Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’) is a Danish concept that embodies a feeling of cozy contentment and wellbeing, often associated with simple pleasures and spending quality time with loved ones. It's not just about physical coziness, but also about creating a warm, inviting atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with those around you. Hygge is deeply ingrained in Danish culture and is considered a key component of their happiness and quality of life.”

What a great concept. Especially in our digital times, just like our Cup Match traditions, it offers an opportunity to do things differently, and build community and family.

• Karsten Decker is a German theologian with a double degree equivalent to an MTheol and MDiv. He studied in Marburg (Germany), Knoxville (USA), and Toronto (Canada) and comes from a united church of Lutheran and Reformed Churches. He was the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Bermuda from 2010 to 2017, and after returning from Germany is now the temporary pulpit supply at Centenary United Methodist Church in Smith’s