from "The Christian" newsletter - 7/1/2008

NEIL'S REFLECTION…

As I prepare to begin my time of sabbatical, I want to share with you additional details and answer questions you may have.

My “Letter of Calling” to First Christian Church specified that I was encouraged to take a two-month sabbatical after five years of ministry with the congregation.  As of July 8, I will have served six years as your pastor.  My sabbatical will begin on Monday, July 21st, and conclude on Sunday, September 21st.

A clergy sabbatical is a time for a pastor to shift gears in order to rest, disengage, study, reflect, and travel.  The pastor can then return refreshed and renewed in body, mind, and spirit.  While vacation is an element of sabbatical, a sabbatical is not an extended vacation.  It is a time for a pastor to receive spiritual nourishment and a change in perspective, a time to renew one’s relationship with God, with oneself, and with family.

In addition to time for reading and rest, I will during my sabbatical have the opportunity to engage in a week-long silent prayer retreat.  I also anticipate writing some Biblical study sessions for several episodes of “The Twilight Zone.”  I will also see several theatrical productions in New York which I am hopeful will be a source for future sermons and discussions.

My time away will conclude with Holly and I celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary by traveling to London.  As she and I are both “anglophiles,” we are really looking forward to spending time there together.

Besides salary support, no additional church resources have been allocated for my sabbatical.  I will be paying my own expenses.

In order to honor the integrity and spirit of the sabbatical, I will not be available for pastoral care or church activities during that time, even when I am in town.  Christy and the Board of Elders will continue to be responsible for pastoral needs in my absence.

I want to thank you in advance for allowing me this sabbatical time.  I look forward to returning to my pastoral responsibilities on September 22nd with a renewed and refreshed spirit!

Grateful for our partnership in the Gospel, Neil

SUMMER CHURCH SCHOOL SABBATICAL PLANS...

In keeping with the spirit of Neil's sabbatical, we’ll have a combined Sunday School in Fellowship Hall from July 27th to August 18th this year.  As Pastor Neil is on sabbatical, this will give our faithful church school teachers a bit of a sabbatical for themselves, and it will join us all together for some special shared lessons!

Your Sunday School teachers will have more detailed information.