Sabbatical News - May 12, 2017

What are the goals of this sabbatical?
Sabbatical leave is a time for our rector to shift gears in order to rest, disengage, study, reflect, and  spend time with his family in order to return to minister among us refreshed and renewed in body, mind, and spirit.  In addition, it is a time for us as a congregation to examine our own lives as members of the body of Christ, and to explore new ways to serve, grow, contribute and possibly to lead.
 
The sabbatical time for David can be divided into roughly five segments*:
1. Release and Relinquish – During this first phase he will disengage from all ministry and leadership responsibilities.
2. Rest and Recovery – “Rest” in the second phase of the sabbatical doesn’t mean ceasing from all activity. Rather, he will concentrate on what restores him emotionally and feeds him spiritually.
3. Reflect and Refocus – During this phase, he will be listening for what God might be saying to him, scheduling extended time alone with God.
4. Realignment and/or Reassignment –  Asking God:“Father, what changes in my life and ministry would you like me to make as a result of hearing from You?”
5. Re-Entry/Re-Engagement – In this phase David will transition back into ministry.
 
The sabbatical time for our congregation will be an opportunity to enter more fully into the corporate life of our church, to raise up new leaders, and grow as a community.
 
*(These categories are borrowed from “Sabbatical Guidelines – A Season of Renewal”, published by the Navigators.)
 
What are the details of David’s time away?
The vestry has specified that he will take this sabbatical beginning August 1 and returning in Advent.  His actual time away from us will be from July 1 through November 15.  The first week will be spent on his Anglican Leadership Initiative (ALI) trip, a leadership training trip that he helps lead for bishops in the ACNA.  The next three weeks will be spent on his regular family vacation.  His actual sabbatical will begin August 1.  He will be available to staff after November 15, he will worship with us for the first time on December 3, and his first preaching assignment will be December 10.
 
In the coming weeks, we will address additional questions, such as:
“Who will cover David’s responsibilities while he is away?”
“What will David’s family do while he is on sabbatical?”
“What can I do to help?