MINISTER'S MUSINGS

In just a month my sabbatical – a time of rest and renewal will begin. I cannot fully express how ex-

tremely grateful I am for this extended Sabbath time. It is also hard to imagine what it will be like to

be away from you all for three months! You are embedded in my heart and will be included in my

prayers while we are apart. I expect the summer to be a time for revival, revitalization, restoration,

and a variety of potential positive outcomes . . . for the church and myself.

I also imagine that there are many questions about the sabbatical time. Some have been answered in

previous articles, so pardon me if I’m repeating myself. For the benefit of all, here is “Everything*

You Always Wanted to Know About the Sabbatical (*but were afraid to ask!):

Why does a pastor need a sabbatical?

Christopher L. Coble, the Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion states, “Pastors play an im-

portant role in nourishing the spiritual lives of individuals and in guiding the work of the Christian

congregations they serve. Through these grants (Lilly Clergy Renewal Grants), we seek to honor

pastors for their extraordinary service and enable them to engage in a brief period of rest and renew-

al. We have learned that such experiences invigorate the leadership of pastors and bring new vitality

to their congregations as well.” [Lilly Clergy Renewal Grant website]

54% of mainline denomination pastors have considered leaving full-time ministry in the past year.

The pandemic time has been particularly draining for ministers as we quickly tried to learn new

technology, manage the anxiety and emotional reactions of parishioners, find new ways of doing

church and keeping people connected, etc. . . .while our own wells were running dry. Ministers need

significant time off to recover from compassion fatigue. They need to restore mental and spiritual

health.

The PCUSA and our Presbytery of Northern Waters recommend that a sabbatical take place after

every 5 years of service. A sabbatical is an “opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the

persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renew-

al periods are not vacations, but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again

from Godʼs life-giving waters and for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.”

[Lilly Clergy Renewal Grant website]

Sabbatical Leave is an extension of the Biblical concept of a Sabbath time for renewal. The Clergy

Renewal Grant will provide the financial foundation for this time apart (Sabbath), which will allow

Pastor Kathy to become reacquainted with and restored by those things that “make the heart sing”.

Dr. Stuart Brown, play researcher, says that “play is essential to our social skills, adaptability, intel-

ligence, creativity, ability to problem solve and more. Particularly in tough times, we need to play

more than ever, as it's the very means by which we prepare for the unexpected, search out new solu-

tions, and remain optimistic.”

Play is the primary theme that will guide the sabbatical for both the pastor and the congregation.

Play is the perfect prescription for ministerial and congregational renewal.

Input for the sabbatical proposal was sought from the Session, the Deacons, staff members, and the

congregation. Many of the thoughts and wise words received were included in the rationale portion

of the proposal.

How will the sabbatical be paid for?

The church applied for and received a Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Grant. This funding will pay for

all of Pastor Kathy’s sabbatical activities. It will pay for pastoral care coverage, pulpit supply, and some

planned congregational activities. In addition, it will pay Sara Gannon to coordinate worship and provide

some special activities throughout the summer.

“The minister continues to receive his/her effective salary and compensation package during the sabbatical

time.” [Presbytery of Northern Waters Manual of Operations] These continue as obligations of the church.

How long with the sabbatical last?

“Typically a sabbatical is for 3 months . . .” [Presbytery of Northern Waters Manual of Operations]. The

first day of Pastor Kathy’s sabbatical is Memorial Day (May 30); Pastor Kathy will be back in the church

office on the day after Labor Day (September 6).

On the Sunday before the sabbatical begins, the Faith Formation Committee will facilitate a

Blessing Ceremony for the pastor and the congregation. This will be followed by a congregational brunch.

Can we contact or see Pastor Kathy (and Bilhenry) during the sabbatical?

“During the sabbatical, the minister is not to provide pastoral leadership.” [Presbytery of Northern Waters

Manual of Operations] It is recommended there be no contact with members of the congregation during

the sabbatical time to allow for complete disengagement. Pastor Kathy’s church email will be shut down

for the summer.

Bilhenry will plan to work in the church garden, but will not be available to engage in other congregational

activities or conversations.

Who will coordinate and lead worship?

Director of Christian Education, Sara Gannon, will be paid to coordinate worship services and faith for-

mation offerings for the summer (and will also have 2 weeks of vacation). The Faith Formation Commit-

tee, youth group, Earth Care Team, and Personnel Committee (among others) will assist her.

Sara or congregation members will lead 8 of 14 Sundays or arrange to share worship with another church.

The remaining 6 Sundays will be covered by local supply pastors. Possible alternative experiences include

skits, readers’ theater, arts experiences, music jams on the lawn, and intergenerational discussions.

Who will provide pastoral care?

Our Deacons will provide pastoral care. For specialized care that they are not able to provide, a team of

three local pastors will help out. They will set up a rotation for emergency pastoral care needs. As needs

arise, individuals should notify Becky Poquette in the office or Jean Maijala. They will then notify the

Deacons or a pastor. Note that administrative duties will be handled as usual by the Church Secretary,

Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Clerk of Session. Ken Ribe (a retired minister in the Presbytery of

Northern Waters) has been appointed to moderate Session meetings in June and August.

What if there’s a death while Pastor Kathy is gone?

One of the three pastoral care ministers will officiate as needed. Another option is to plan to have a memo-

rial service after Pastor Kathy returns in the fall.

What will Pastor Kathy do while she’s away?

If this sabbatical had a title it would be “Wholly, Holy Play.

During the summer 2022 sabbatical, Pastor Kathy is looking forward to engaging in playful and restorative

activities – things that are often neglected while serving the church. She will attend two conferences at

Ghost Ranch Presbyterian Conference Center in New Mexico, work with a spiritual/creativity director, and

do some reading on play and creativity. Activities will include improv, hiking, dance, the arts (making mu-

sic), exercise and physical care, meditation, and rest. There will be time to reconnect with friends, family

(especially grandchildren), former coworkers, and mentors. She will be enriched by concerts, plays, and

museums. Pastor Kathy hopes to find time to sew, including designing a ministerial stole, and to develop

ideas for creative worship.

Throughout the summer, Pastor Kathy will attend worship at various churches -- experiencing and explor-

ing varied ideas and styles of worship.

What will we do “while the Kat’s away”?

“While the Kat’s away, the church will play!” Sara Gannon and the folks she’s working with are planning a

very creative and unique summer. (See worship information above.) They intend to make use of our land

for activities, games, nature walks, and alternative forms of worship. There are plans in the works to design

and build a labyrinth to “create space” for spiritual nurture and to benefit the church and community. There

is also the possibility of creating a mosaic out of tiles on an old metal cross that was previously in the sanc-

tuary.

The church is full of very capable and creative people. You will likely discover sources of energy, creativi-

ty, and imagination that will help you open up to new forms of ministry and new approaches to future chal-

lenges. The church will carry on with its mission in the community, discover new skills and leadership

gifts, and continue to welcome all.

What will happen when Pastor Kathy returns?

The first Sunday back will be a joyful service of mainly music, including a hymn-sing and (perhaps) a cou-

ple guest musicians. There will be a “bring your most creative dish” potluck following worship and time to

visit casually, ending with “create a great (ice cream) Sundae”. On the following Sunday, Pastor Kathy will

share her sabbatical experience verbally and with photos (and perhaps lead an improv game or two!). It will

be a time of “Show & Tell” for the congregation and the pastor.

Our 2022-23 Faith Formation theme will be, “A Time to Play” with an emphasis on celebration, sabbath,

rest, and renewal imbued with playfulness and joy. Later in the fall, Pastor Kathy will facilitate a creative

worship workshop. We will take time at each committee, small group, and governing board to share our

learnings and pray that the Spirit will inspire playfulness, imagination, and creativity among us.

A final renewal activity will include Jeff Japinga, former Executive Presbyter from the Presbytery of the

Twin Cities. Jeff has agreed to lead a half-day workshop focused on creative planning. This will tie togeth-

er and let us build on what we have all experienced and learned throughout the summer.

In addition, our work with the consulting group LeaderWise will begin in the fall. A team will participate

in the CrossForm program and engage the congregation in the process of learning and discernment.

Conclusion With creative spirits we can develop our capacity to share God’s love and transform lives. With time to nurture my own creative spirit, I can grow my capacity to share God’s love and transform lives -- and also handle the minutiae of ministry.

In a piece Sara Gannon recently included in the church announcements, she commented that “In a sense

[through the sabbatical], we are participating in the act of faith –we are choosing to trust and to let go of

our normal ways. What fruit might God choose to bring forth in us?” I can’t wait to see!

Jesus invites us to come to him when we are weary. This sabbatical plan is my way of meeting Jesus for

rest and renewal -- and play. Woven through the summer tapestry of renewal is a gossamer Holy

Spirit thread, which will surely restore me (and all of us) wholly, reveal holy moments, and allow for

rediscovery of play -- Wholly, Holy Play.

Thanks be to God for the caring, compassionate, creative people of First Presbyterian Church. May

God’s peace and love fill you with joy and guide you through the coming months.

Pastor Kathy