WHAT and WHY?
Healthy congregations share two characteristics. One - they express their love for their pastor in various ways. The second thing healthy congregations insist on is every 5-7 years they cheerfully tell their beloved pastor that they do not want to see them for a three month stretch. This three month space is called “sabbatical.” Why do faith communities practice sabbatical? It’s a good question when belief is fragile but when competence is measured by how full our calendars are and how many tasks we accomplish (by ourselves) the practice of sabbatical serves to interrupt this “normal” life. The purpose of sabbatical is to change and form pastor and people in an uncommon way of life. A season of sabbatical creates a space for grace to surprise us. We are calling this sabbatical season (August – October) HELD, TOGETHER: Life Together in Relationship, Rhythm, and Ritual. As our world speeds up and changes make us feel like we are falling behind it can feel like things are coming apart. So here is the plan for our congregation and pastor this summer into fall to remember that we are “Held Together.” August: We deploy our attention to our RELATIONSHIPS. We will explore how the practice of hospitality holds us together, how hospitality opens space in our hearts and lives to give and to receive God’s love with neighbors and strangers. We will explore how hospitality helps us to resist the temptations of individualism. September: We will remind ourselves of deep RHYTHMS that bond us. We keen our awareness of Sabbath as a practice. That is, having the conversation between what we love to do and how we love to be. As our summer schedules switch to autumn routines how will we resist the temptation to live too fast or too controlled? October: We will be intentional about our RITUAL life. We will explore how worship is the practice of being held and being sent. We’ll hope to experience how worship works in helping us to resist becoming disenchanted and opens us to awe, mutual encouragement and a spacious way of being. _______________________ Read PASTOR KARA'S SABBATICAL MESSAGE Read The Congregation's Sabbatical Blessing for Pastor Kara, August 3. (written by Pastor Lisa) PASTORAL CARE
Our Sabbatical Pastoral Care Team of Ecumenical Retired Clergy (SPCTOERC for short!), with a combined 100+ years of experience. Kristen, Mike, Verlyn (UCC, ELCA, RCA, BTW) Pastoral Care schedule will be shared in the weekly emails.
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WHO and HOW?
Who will preach or lead worship? Pastor Lisa will preach the Sundays of Sabbatical. Members of the sabbatical scheme team will take turns leading Saturday contemplative services. Who should I talk to for pastoral care? Our pastoral care team of retired ministers: Kristen, Mike and Verlyn, will take turns providing pastoral care. Schedule will be shared in weekly emails. (Read your weekly emails) How will we know what's happening? Pastor Lisa and Krysta will update regular announcements - contact them if you have something to share. Your sabbatical scheme team will continue to meet and communicate with the congregation throughout the sabbatical. Emails and Sunday announcements in worship will be our primary modes of sharing information. How can I reach Pastor Kara? Trick question! You can't. She will not be receiving emails on her church email account, and we will not be using her cell phone. We'll hold each other (and Kara!) accountable to this set-apart space and time, trusting God has blessings for us all in this sabbatical as we are Held, Together. How can I help? Sabbatical reminds us that we all share the ministry of the church! Hospitality teams are a great way to connect and help out. Supporting and empowering our kids, praying for one another and communicating to one another our concerns, ideas, encouragement, and needs helps us be church in a healthy way. (AND - you can read your emails!) WHEN? (Dates to Note)
AUGUST August 3 - Sabbatical Begins We bless Pastor Kara and pray for her as she and we enter a set-aside time and space to be encountered by God apart from the ordinary. August 5 & 9 - PAINTING PARTIES! Help paint the Gathering Room. RSVP here. August 9 - Connections August 9 - Dinner at Carbone's Pizza 6:15 pm Following worship - whether you participated or not! - everyone is invited to head over to Carbone's for a dinner together. ("Second Saturday Sustanance?") August 20 - Church Chat Kelly will share a link, leader will rotate August 31 - Service project Our 5th Sunday Waffle Worship will involve a service project for Our Saviour's Housing. SEPTEMBER September 4 - Dinner Party with Holy Listening Groups Our oldest and youngest groups will combine tonight for a special intergenerational gathering. September 5 - Brunch with Brittany September 7 - Rally Sunday with pot luck picnic & Back to School Blessing (Share your back to school photos!) September 12- Connections Second Saturday Sustenance (PM) September 17 - Church Chat Kelly will share a link, leader will rotate Dinner gathering location and service project dates TBD OCTOBER October 1 - Dinner Party with Holy Listening Groups Kids group plan TBA October 3 - Brunch with Brittany October 10 - Connections (AM) Second Saturday Sustenance (PM) October 15 - Church Chat Kelly will share a link, leader will rotate Dinner gathering location and service project dates TBD NOVEMBER REUNION WEEK November 1 - (Share your Halloween costume photos!) November 2 - Sabbatical Reunion We welcome back Pastor Kara and share sabbatical stories. November 5 - Dinner Party with Holy Listening Groups Kids group led by Pastor Lisa & Kristen November 8-9 - Sabbath Retreat led by Pastor Kara Kara will be back "in the office" full-time following retreat |
