Ever since it was announced that the Vestry had voted to give me a sabbatical leave, there have been a lot of comments—ranging from "It's about time!" to "I don't understand this" and from "Well deserved; thanks for your 10 years!" to "/ don't get a leave, so why should he?" Such a range of comments is completely normal and to be expected, even in
congregations that have a history of clergy sabbaticals; All Saints' does not, so all the more so here. From the start, the Vestry, Wardens, and I decided that we should be very intentional about teaching what sabbaticals are all about (and what they are not about). We began to consult with the diocesan Canon to the Ordinary the Rev. David Johnson, and our parish consultant Linda Nelson. I brought our Program Administrator Tommie Moore in on things so as to consider in concrete ways the implications of my sabbatical leave for parish administration and programming. In the future. Canon Johnson and Linda Nelson will be writing some very informative articles for this newsletter about the rationale for sabbaticals, the standards and practices, and the opportunities that sabbaticals offer for congregations to do some important self-discovery and renewal along with their leave-taking pastor.
Given the extraordinary circumstances revolving around our construction project, it
immediately became crystal-clear that timing is everything! I knew that I would not be able to take the sabbatical during this summer because of two national conferences for which I had agreed to serve as faculty (before the sabbatical was granted). So, I began to plan for this fall. However, we soon saw that the construction schedule would necessitate the re-location of our offices during that time (a move that will last about nine months or so), and I thought it unwise not to be involved in that crucial undertaking. I also admit that I simply want to be around when construction begins and makes its defining first months of progress! Furthermore, we concluded that the fall is the time when my leadership as Rector is most needed for administration, program, planning, and vision (we map out virtually everything for the entire "school year" during the fall months). Plan "B" evolved—the winter months. I felt sure that this would be the answer, and was quite comfortable with the idea. Yes, I would be away during Advent and Christmas but, let's face ft, anytime I go I will miss important things so I can't plan too much around that angle. But guess what? I quickly learned why no clergy take winter sabbaticals—there's hardly any place to "get away" to (that's affordable) where the weather doesn't put a serious damper on personal refreshment, and schools that offer courses for clergy on sabbatical don't offer them in the wintertime! Now, back to the drawing board... could it be that "the third time's a charm?"
Yes, I think so. I've now scheduled my sabbatical to follow the General Convention that I
am attending as part of the Diocese of Mississippi's deputation from June 12-22, 2006. I'm sure I'll need it all the more after that two-headed monster (yes, one Right and one Left) makes tracks. July through September 2006 seems ready made—starting back just in time to move into our new digs (or maybe even arriving to find everything finished and waiting for me to put my books on the shelves!). This also gives me time to try to sock some money away to fund things. The staff and I agree that this is the perfect solution, provided that I can hold out until then without becoming something of a monster myself!
If you are among the good many here who, knowing that I tend to overwork, are worried that I never will actually take the sabbatical, have no fear. I'm looking forward to it with a virtual lust. Until then, there are many wonderful things coming our way at All Saints', and I'm very excited and privileged to be a part of them.
Faithfully,
Shannon+
