Sabbatical

As some of you are probably aware, I will be taking a three-month sabbatical beginning on May 19th.  This coming Sunday will be my final one with you prior to starting the sabbatical, as I will be attending Davidson’s Commencement on May 18th.  My first Sunday back will be August 17th.  As Carmen shared with you prior to her sabbatical last summer, and in keeping with diocesan policy, Saint Alban’s clergy get sabbatical leave after 3-6 years of service (2 weeks per year served).  It is rooted in the biblical concept of Sabbath and provides an essential time to step away from the demands of ministry for rest, renewal, and reflection.

I am deeply grateful that our vestry has made it an on-going priority to provide the opportunity and the means for this sabbath time. It is a gift I do not take for granted.  Taking this time away from Saint Alban’s certainly engenders mixed emotions. I relish the opportunity for some extended time for rest, renewal, and time with my family. I also know that I will deeply miss being with all of you on a daily/weekly basis. Stepping away from this remarkable community of faith and love for such an extended period will be a mixed blessing.

With all that said, I would like to share with you my plans for this time away.  In addition to some time to simply rest and “lie fallow”, there will be three big trips.  The first one will be a two-week family trip to experience the unique natural beauty and deep spirituality (both Christian and indigenous) that can be experienced in New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.  Stops will include Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, the Four Corners, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona.  This is a part of the country that Julia and I have long wanted to explore, and we are excited about this opportunity to do so.

Later in June I will be attending an inaugural interdenominational campus ministry conference in St. Louis.  It is a collaborative event of the Episcopal, Lutheran, and PCUSA denominations.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to spend time and be in conversation with fellow campus ministry colleagues from all over the country.

Finally, near the end of my sabbatical, I will be doing a week-long retreat at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, where I will be spending time in silence, prayer, worship, reading, and reflection.  Gethsemani is a Trappist monastery near Louisville. It is known to many because it was the community of Thomas Merton, monk, theologian, writer, poet, mystic, and social activist.

I will miss all of you and will look forward to reconnecting with you upon my return.  I will be holding you close to my heart in prayer during this time and I would be grateful for your prayers for me, Julia, Renna, and Robert as we travel and enjoy some uninterrupted time together.

God’s peace be with you,

Kevin+