First Lutheran Church recently issued the following announcement.
We're all coping with life in this new, constantly-shifting reality. We're all trying our best to make adjustments along the way and take one day at a time. Most of us have had several planned events, trips and/or gatherings altered, postponed or cancelled. My sabbatical is no exception. The weeklong spirituality retreat after Easter, along with my visits to parents and brother in April were all cancelled. Staying at home, I was able to enjoy a week of vacation and a week of study (mostly articles, webinars and blogs related to the pandemic) during that time instead.
While we've learned to do church very differently during a global pandemic, the heart of this summer, along with the pandemic, provides a good opportunity for me to take several consecutive weeks away and not postpone too much of my Sabbatical for future timeframes that are generally more busy. I'll be away for six weeks (as originally planned) July 1 through August 12. This means 8 of my 13 weeks will be utilized through that period.
I hope to attend the weeklong, contemplative spirituality retreat -- postponed from April -- during the last week of October. The church leadership retreat, scheduled for November in Arizona, will be offered twice during 2021. Pastor Emily, Council and I will work out my ability to attend this event as soon as it is safely possible, and feasible within the church schedule.
While away in July and August, I'll be reading several books. During that time we will transition out of the current Midweek Devotional and Prayer Time on Facebook Live (concluding June 24), and instead offer a "Sabbatical Sampling" on Facebook each Wednesday, beginning July 1. I'll post an entry on FLC's Facebook page every week. It will include a few thoughts and questions from my readings, along with a concluding prayer. You will be able to access it anytime, much like the recordings of Sunday Worship and Wednesday Midweek now.
Thank you again, so very much, for providing sabbatical for your pastors as part of our compensation, renewal and growth. I will continue to use the time wisely for the benefit of our mission and ministry together.
Gratefully, in Christ,
Pastor Jay
Original source can be found here.
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