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The council and Pastor Sue are working on a sabbatical plan, with a planned sabbatical taking place May-July, 2012.
A sabbatical is particular rest, with a purpose. Sabbaticals strengthen and further develop a pastor’s ability to serve the church. A well-planned sabbatical is a mix of education, spiritual renewal, an opportunity to reflect upon and pray for the vision and mission of the congregation, and rest. During a sabbatical, a congregation is also strengthened, as it is a time that provides opportunity for members to explore their gifts of leadership, and to reflect upon and pray for the vision and mission of the church.
Sabbaticals come in a variety of forms, depending on the pastor’s interests and needs. Pastors in Alaska have taken sabbaticals that range from a camping retreat to beginning PhD work at Oxford. They generally range in time from two to four months.
Pastor Sue's sabbatical focus: Old Testament study.
Sabbatical Q&A
Who will lead Sunday worship when Pr. Sue is on sabbatical?
Our weekly bulletin cover gives us some direction for this: Pr Sue is listed as pastor, but the people of RLC are listed as ministers. And so, the primary worship leaders will come from the congregation. We already have a number of people who serve in preparing for worship (bulletin preparation, power point, altar guild), and those who serve during worship as assisting ministers, communion assistants and readers. There are people in our congregation who have given messages and faith stories for mid-week Advent and Lent services. There are people in our congregation who have been trained to preside at communion, with permission from the bishop. There will be additional instructional opportunities to encourage/teach interested people to lead worship, share sermons, faith stories, and children’s sermons. We may also invite occasional supply pastors from the community.
How will we pay for a sabbatical?
Pastor Sue is applying for a grant to help cover the costs of transportation, housing, meals, books, etc. The congregation council also established a sabbatical savings account, which is part of the approved budget passed at the semi-annual congregational meeting. Every month, $100 is directed to that fund. The current balance is $700. If Pr Sue doesn’t receive the grant, she’ll eat a lot of Ramen noodles!
Will attendance go down while Pr. Sue is away?
That’s up to you! Sunday worship doesn’t happen because Pr. Sue shows up, but because God shows up! The Holy Spirit will continue to work to gather you together, that you may do the work of worship: singing, praying, listening, sharing a meal, making peace with one another, giving to God of your self, your time, and your possessions, signs of God’s gracious love for us.
Is a sabbatical actually a way of looking for a new call?
In St. Paul’s words, “By no means!” I love RLC, and am so thankful and blessed by all we share together. A sabbatical is meant to be a positive, transformative time for both the pastor and congregation, a time for renewal and vision for the life and mission of the congregation. The whole point is to come back together with purpose, deepened commitment, joy, and energy.
Q: When is Pr. Sue going on sabbatical?
A: May 1-July 31, 2012
Q: What exactly will she be doing on sabbatical?
A: Pastor Sue will spend most of the time in Chicago, with the primary educational goal of studies in the Old Testament with Hebrew scholars/rabbis. She is working with Rabbi David Sandmel in Chicago, and Rabbi Dov Gartenberg in Juneau to coordinate mentoring, tutoring, and study groups. She will also attend two Catholic Theological Union summer institute classes: Jewish-Christian Relationships with Rabbi Sandmel, and Luke-Acts with CTU president Rev. Donald Senior. In addition, Pr. Sue and Bill’s son Michael lives in Dubuque, which is a couple hours away; he’s planning to get married next year, so Pr Sue will be sticking her nose in…oops…helping…with planning. And since she is in Chicago, she’ll probably try to squeeze in a Cubs game or two.
Will Pastor Sue still go on sabbatical, even though she did not receive the grant she applied for?
The grant review committee said Pastor Sue’s application needed to reflect less time devoted to study and more time for recreation and renewal...don’t they know that study IS fun for her?! So, Pastor Sue will continue with the planned mix of study and renewal time, but may take a 10-week sabbatical beginning mid-May, rather than a 12-week sabbatical starting May 1.
Can members designate special offerings to support Pr. Sue’s sabbatical?
Yes!
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