Rest…the most wonderfully elusive gift. As rector of a parish with 600 active members and an average Sunday attendance of 325, rest is something that must be planned for and practiced. It is my opinion that the work that we do in parish ministry is not tremendously difficult; rather it is heavy. Sabbaticals are a gift, and I believe the requirement to do this heavy lifting. My hope is that this time away from St. John’s will renew not only me and my ministry, but also create space for the community to grow in new ways.
My wife and I are in a new territory. Our children have just flown the nest. Instead of “empty nesters,” I like the term I heard the other day better, “FREE BIRDS!” While this is exciting, it is also daunting. Jennifer and I believe our sabbatical is perfectly timed. It will be a time of reconnection with one another, and also a time to intentionally ponder what God is calling us to be in this new day.
There is much work to do in the community we love and live. It is a matter of bandwidth. We simply have more to give to our vocations outside the home, and we are looking forward to enthusiastically exploring the possibilities. My plan from January 6 to May 2 is to:
Travel together, dream, pray and connect
Intentional writing to gather the themes and thoughts of 20 years of ministry
Explore the need and opportunity of coaching as an enhancement of my ministry in the parish and the wider church.
Jennifer and I envision a sabbatical that includes extended time in a very different environment. Travel and experiencing different cultures is one of our highest, if not the highest, priorities for us, after our basic needs. We hope to spend time in the southern hemisphere. A place we have never been. New Zealand holds the most appeal and its natural beauty combined with rich Anglican tradition makes it an ideal location.
What makes your heart sing? It is one of my favorite questions. I am so grateful that my work as a parish priest makes my heart sing. Yet, I know that without intentional breaks and care of my own soul that heart singing can quickly fall out of tune. The gift of intentional time to connect with Jennifer in a new way, the practice of writing daily, and the exploration of the opportunities and challenges of coaching, while living in a completely different environment is something that I look forward to with great anticipation.
This year was humbling. I learned that I had Lyme disease, and for seven months, it was all I could do to simply do the basics of my job and rest. I have recovered. Yet, as I just turned 50, my children are now out of the house, and just dealt with a chronic illness for the first time, I realize that I am far from invincible and new ways of being are mandatory for me to continue to thrive in life and ministry. Jennifer and I are committed to that exploration of new ways!
Lastly, I thank you. That does not come near to expressing the gratitude that I have for being your rector. I love being your rector and look forward to what God has in store for us!