Meet Jim
I’m so excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Jim Abernathy to South Elkhorn! The Cabinet (South Elkhorn’s governing board), with recommendation from the Sabbatical Team and Personnel, unanimously voted to call Jim as Interim Sabbatical Minister for this summer (June 1 – August 31). He will be joining us for worship on May 22 and I can’t wait for you to meet him!
Jim comes highly recommended from former South Elkhorn member and Interim Regional Minister, Dean Phelps. He served in the Cooperative Baptist tradition, which is similar in structure, style and theology to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Indeed, like South Elkhorn, Jim affirms and has helped to empower women in ministry, he welcomes all people to the life of faith, and he embraces the centrality of the Lord’s Table practiced weekly in Disciple churches. You can read more and learn about Jim in his brief bio below.
On June 1, 2022 I will take a break from the duties and responsibilities of pastoral leadership. I am thankful for Jim’s leadership during this time away, especially as Pastor Holly will be busy with so much amazing summer ministry: camps, mission trips, and more. During sabbatical, Jim will provide leadership for staff, preach and lead worship, and provide pastoral care.
I am also deeply grateful for a church that values and promotes real rest for the life of faith, including the long-standing commitment to provide sabbatical rest for full-time pastoral staff. When Pastor Holly took sabbatical in 2018, I saw the spirit-refreshing difference it made for her, and the way we were all blessed because of it.
I can also celebrate with you that South Elkhorn has received a generous “Clergy Renewal Grant” from the Lilly Endowment for this upcoming sabbatical. This grant provides the funding to hire Jim as the Interim Sabbatical Minister and for congregational sabbatical experiences. I hope you’ll take advantage of one of these sabbatical experiences by unplugging, heading into the mountains, and taking some real rest on retreat with the church family in August. It is open to and great for all ages. There you’ll find a labyrinth, hiking paths, a swimming pool, and the beautiful opportunity to connect with others and root yourself deeply in the restful presence of God. Learn more and register here.
The theme for the summer sabbatical is Rooted and is inspired by Jeremiah 17:7-8.
7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.
I’ll be tending to some crucial roots for a flourishing and faithful life: family, friendship, and spiritual practice. The Clergy Renewal Grant will provide funding for me, Rebecca and the kids to spend time together visiting family and making memories out in Idaho and Oregon. I also look forward to connecting with the roots of South Elkhorn by visiting Spotsylvania Courthouse in Virginia where the long history of the “traveling church” begins. During these summer months I’ll be tending to the roots of spiritual practice, doing some hiking, walking labyrinths and praying, and–most importantly–resting deeply.
I look forward to the worshipful rest of Sunday morning with you. There our hearts find rest in turning our focus to the healing, renewing, and life-giving presence of God. This week’s story of John 12:1-8 invites us to experience God’s presence in a surprising and beautiful way: embracing the fragile character of life.
See you Sunday,
REV. DR. JIM ABERNATHY
After thirty-five years in full-time ministry, I retired in the spring of 2017, relocating from the Washington D.C. suburb of Burke, Virginia to Lexington.
Since retiring to Kentucky I have preached in three Disciples of Christ churches, Crestwood Christian in Lexington in their pastor’s absence, Stanford Christian for two months in early 2020 until they called a new pastor, and as Interim Pastor at First Christian Church in Maysville. While my background is Cooperative Baptist, I am very comfortable ministering in the Disciples of Christ context and have enjoyed the opportunities afforded me thus far.
I have served as Adjunct Homiletics Professor at the John Leland Seminary in Arlington, Virginia (5 years), sang with the Washington National Cathedral Choir in Washington, D.C., and currently sing in the Lexington Chamber Chorale.
I am married to Cindy, a retired music educator, and we have one son, Clayton, who lives in Lexington with his wife, Erika. We share our home with Maggie, our Beagle mix rescue.
PS – Holy Week & Maundy Thursday are just around the corner! Close the season of Lent in a meaningful way. On Palm Sunday, Rev. Dr. Don Gillette II will bring an inspiring message. Don is the Regional Minister and President for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky. Then, on Maundy Thursday you are invited to a contemplative and intimate service in the Historic Sanctuary–experience a hand blessing, communion, song, prayer and stillness. You can help us prepare for Maundy Thursday and which Easter service you plan to attend by making an RSVP below.
April 10 / Luke 19:28-40
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