Sabbatical time

Reverend Susan Leo will be on Sabbatical from May 17 through August 9, 2009. During this time of rest and renewal, we will still be Church! We will continue our vibrant, vital worship throughout this time, and encourage both folks who are new to us to come and visit us on Sundays for worship and for members to renew their commitment to Christ and community by joining in our joyful worship services throughout the summer. There is much to celebrate and a chance for all of us to grow in our faith during this time. We welcome you!

This Sabbatical Time

“On the seventh day God had finished all the work of creation, and so, on that seventh day, God rested. God blessed the seventh day and called it sacred, because on it God rested from all the work of creation.” Gen. 2:2-3

The word “sabbatical” has its roots in the biblical concept of Sabbath (“to rest” or “to cease.”). Sabbath keeping is setting aside time that God consecrates and makes holy.

A pastoral sabbatical is an opportunity for Susan to rest, to study, reflect and travel, in order to return to her ministry amongst us refreshed and renewed in body, mind and spirit. A pastoral sabbatical is also a time for congregational renewal, a time in which we reaffirm our commitment to one another as church, and share a season of growth together as we take on new roles and responsibilities and appreciate the gifts of God in our community. Part of that renewal includes continuing to gather together in worship, making a joyful noise on Sundays, being present to one another as we encounter challenges in our lives, and celebrating our life together in gatherings outside of worship.

Some of Susan’s goals for her sabbatical include:

• Renewal and refreshment
• Learning new things
• Experiencing worship in various contexts
• Disentangling

Some of our congregational goals for the sabbatical include:

• Deepening our faith
• Learning to be self-feeding
• Differentiating from Susan
• Becoming church

As a way for the congregation and Susan to reflect on time and sabbatical, we will all have the opportunity, during the sabbatical, to read Dorothy Bass’s book, Receiving the Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time. We will have copies of this book available to begin circulating through the congregation on Pentecost Sunday.

It is our hope that this period is a rewarding and refreshing one, both for Susan and for the congregation.