7 Things You Need to Know About Michael’s Sabbatical
7 Things You Need To Know About Michael’s Sabbatical
When you have the time, please read each section below carefully with an open heart and open mind:
1. Why 7 things?
Because 7 is a number relevant to Sabbatical. In Genesis 2 we read God rests on the seventh day of creation. In Leviticus 25 the people are instructed to harvest the fields for six years, but on the seventh year they are to remain fallow: receive complete rest.
South Elkhorn church policy picks up on this rhythm and provides full time clergy with a Sabbatical after 6 years of service. You can read the current Sabbatical Leave policy here.
In April of this year Michael celebrated 7 years as Senior Minister at South Elkhorn. I am so glad he will be able to rest after helping lead us through so much, especially a global pandemic.
2. Michael is not available for lunch.
Yes, Sabbatical means Michael won’t be in the office as he normally would be. And so maybe you think this would be a good time to grab coffee or lunch with him.
Part of the purpose and meaning of Sabbatical for clergy is to “unplug” from congregational ministry–even and especially the people who we clergy deeply love and enjoy being around. That emotional distance is crucial for centering and focusing on the Sabbath rest.
Sabbatical is meant to focus his time, conversations, and relationship-building outside the usual context of the congregation in which he serves. Sabbatical is intentional time for family, friendships, appointments with a spiritual director, and the oft-neglected solitude.
While Michael loves us all, we can help protect and preserve the space he needs for his rest, reflection, and renewal.
We can do that by: not calling him, not texting him, not emailing him, not contacting him to hang out, have lunch, or check in. That can wait until he returns in September.
Michael won’t be sending us updates or keeping a blog during the summer months. And you won’t find Michael on social media, either. He is reducing his public availability so he can be personally available to God and the roots he needs to tend this summer. One thing I learned from my Sabbatical was the importance of being deeply rooted in the moment with family, friends, myself and God.
3. Michael won’t be “out of it.”
Michael, Jim Abernathy and I have a communication plan that will enable him to transition smoothly back into ministry in September without feeling (too) overwhelmed by all that’s happened during the three months of his Sabbatical. Michael’s Sabbatical team, Jim and I will only contact him during Sabbatical in emergency situations.
4. Sabbatical is not vacation.
Yes, rest is involved, Yes, travel and new experiences are in the plans. But Sabbatical is a spiritual focus with particular goals, learnings and pursuits in view. Michael submitted a Clergy Renewal Grant entitled “Rooted” and will be using his time intentionally to tend the roots of prayer, presence, and the spiritual practice of labyrinth-walking. He will be rooting his kids in their family story by visiting important places and introducing them to family they have never met in person. He will be visiting the roots of South Elkhorn in Virginia, doing some of what the Traveling Church did and what he loves: take a hike through the mountains.
Michael’s learning, insight, and new experiences will invigorate his ministry upon his return because they will more deeply root him in God’s presence, love, and grace.
5. Michael is around town.
I suspect I might run into Michael by accident around town–at the grocery store, at a restaurant, at the park. If so, I’ve already got my plan in place: no, I won’t awkwardly pretend he is invisible and avoid him. No, I won’t run up to him and start talking about how much he is missed and bombard him with questions about his sabbatical. I’ll wave, may even say hello as we pass, and if he engages me in a conversation, I won’t be bringing up church or ministry.
6. I’m ready for Michael to be gone.
Okay that sounds bad. I will miss Michael and be eager to welcome him when he returns. What I mean by “ready” is that Michael has done the important work of equipping and resourcing us for his sabbatical. He applied for and helped us receive a grant that will support a Sabbatical Minister (Jim Abernathy) during his absence. He has partnered with the Elders, lay leaders, and staff to create a solid plan for worship, care, and ministry. South Elkhorn is blessed with amazing leadership.
I’m at peace about this Sabbatical season because we are a healthy, vibrant church that is defined by a mission and our relationship to God in Christ, not by any one minister or leader. I’m excited because God is inspiring and challenging me as a person of faith to explore and consider my own rhythms of rest and renewal.
7. Sabbatical is for us, too.
Michael’s sabbatical can be an opportunity for each of us to reflect on and consider our own rootedness, rest, and presence. You can root yourself in prayer this summer, and you can lift up Michael and his family as you pray. You can read and reflect on the theme of rootedness from Jeremiah 17:7-8. You can root yourself more deeply with the church family on Sunday, May 22 as we share lunch following worship (RSVP here). You can find rest and spiritual renewal on retreat with people of all ages in August (learn more and register here). You can walk the labyrinth on retreat in the mountains or you might want to visit the brand new labyrinth at Wellington Park in Lexington. This summer is an opportunity to find rest and root yourself deeply in God’s love.
Once again thank you for the ways you loved and supported me on Sabbatical in 2018. I know that same love and support will bless Michael in 2022.
See you Sunday,
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