On the Taking of a Sabbatical… by The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy Webster's defines "sabbatical" as: "a break or change from a normal routine (as of employment); a leave often with pay granted usually every seventh year for rest, travel or research; called also a "sabbatical leave."" Scripture, the source of this word from the Hebrew Shabbat, reminds us that Sabbath time is a time of rest for the land as well. That is to say, creation itself needs a break from all our creating. The Letter of Agreement, entered into by the Directors of St. Augustine's (the Vestry) and myself back in 1997, stipulated that after seven years, I would be entitled to a three month sabbatical. Now, at the beginning of my ninth year, the time seems right to step back, rest, become refreshed for the next phase of the journey and to give St. A's a rest from me as well (but only for a time). I will be away from the end of April to the end of August, parachuting in for one or two events (the Men's Retreat, a wedding) but essentially gone. During this time, I hope to begin to work on a book about newcomers to the Church. (My colleague and sometimes mentor Paul has been pushing me to do this for two years or more). I feel compelled to distill all that I've learned over these 32 years of ordained ministry into a meaningful and hopefully useful document. And I plan to do some playing as well. One thing I have learned over these years is that while "Rectors" are designated key leaders, our "power" is constrained by the nature of community. That is to say, clergy have, programmatically, a "negative power" by which we can keep things from happening by our inattention or benign neglect; but on the other hand, we have no power to make things happen by our active enthusiasm or advocacy. What happens at St. A's is a function of what we together -clergy and lay ministers all - make happen together and what fails to happen is a function of what we are unwilling to give ourselves to. And all of this is in God's hands anyway. (God is the real key leader.) All this is to say that I've come to learn the value of seeking to be less anxious. Over these four months (three of sabbatical and one of vacation), some things around here will change, many things will stay the same, and I don't have to own any of that because St. A's is well served by a dedicated and loving team of professionals: The Rev Joyce Stickney, associate; the Rev Pat. Hendrickson, deacon; Carrie Price, office manager and resident goddess; Joe Paule, sexton and Jennifer Pavia, Children's Ministries; as well as an enthusiastic, competent, cautious and yet visionary Vestry. And, we are blessed with an amazingly compelling congregation of disciples: you! Leaving - whether forever or for a time - always means letting go. When I lead clergy conferences with Credo, on the first night I suggest that people leave, figuratively, their baggage outside the door (their unfinished tasks, complicated relationships, anxieties about home, etc.) and I guarantee that at the end of this time away, they will be free to pick them up again as they re-engage home. (If we are successful, some bags may be left behind…) And so, I respectfully ask that you co-conspire with me in this time away and refrain from contacting me, even in an "emergency." Joyce will be here through July and she will determine if I need to be contacted. In August, Pat should be called in an emergency; she has the names of priests-on-call for those situations in which a Deacon can not function sacramentally. I am excited about this time away (in a way, overdue) and I choose to be non-anxious about how I will "fit" when I return: I suspect you will be gracious! Until August 28th, I bid you all well; for it is your Sabbath time as well. Fare thee well; well, fare thee!
Copyright © 2005 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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