Sabbatical – 2024
The word ‘Sabbath’ lies at the root of the word ‘sabbatical’ and in the 19th century it was used by universities to denote a period of study leave for their academic staff, originally every seven years. Later, other professions and occupations embraced the practice as a means of vocational development and refreshment. Of course we associate the term with the time that is granted to ministers and deacons as a period of release from the regular duties of their appointment, in addition to normal holidays, for the purpose of pursuing an approved programme of study, research, work or experience.
As I am now in my seventh year of ministry I am required to take a three-month sabbatical. It is a tremendous privilege to be given this time, one that I am only too aware that few people in our congregation will have had a similar opportunity to experience. I am very grateful for that privilege, not least because I know that it places extra burdens on others in my absence. I do want to stress though that it is not a holiday in the usual understanding of that word! Obviously within those three months there will be space to defuse and relax so I can return refreshed and renewed but, as with other ministers when they have taken their sabbaticals, I have been expected to develop a programme so that the time might be both ‘restorative and formative.’ This is how the Methodist Church describes it:
‘Restoratively, it should help you (re-)connect with your vision and sense of vocation and gather back to yourself those parts of yourself that can get lost in your work, such as your sense of humour… ability to get angry… ability to ask for help… ability to preserve space for yourself… ability to think straight… ability to connect with your own feelings. Formatively, your sabbatical should help you connect your vision and theology with your practice of ministry and enable you to grow more nearly into the minister God is calling you to be.’
For my sabbatical I am exploring creativity through art and how it can be used to enhance worship, deepen personal and corporate spirituality and be a means of helping the church engage with the wider community.
To that end I have enrolled in some art workshops (using different mediums), I shall attend some exhibitions, including the Methodist Modern Art exhibition. I will be going on two residential retreats to explore art and creativity linked with faith and two or three reflective days. These last are not art-based but simply allow time to be still with God.
Beyond that I am keeping things open-ended, partly so I can respond to any new opportunities that arise as a result of what I learn and experience, and partly so I don’t overfill my time and lose the benefit of having that restorative space. I also want to be able to spend some quality time with Mike.
My sabbatical is from 15th April – 15th July. My last service with you will be on Easter Sunday and until then I shall be around just as much as usual. I look forward to being able to share with you some of the fruits of the sabbatical on my return.
During my time away, the stewards are your first port of call and they can contact Catherine, Soba or Mike Thomason should there be a pastoral emergency.
Sharon