Farewell for Now!
(My final message before taking sabbatical July through
October 2012.)
We’ve been talking about it for quite some time now, and it
is here. I’m actually taking a
sabbatical. What does that mean – for me
and for you?
One place we look for meaning – is the dictionary.
So here’s one entry from dictionary.com: [suh-bat-i-kuhl]
Origin: from Latin
sabbaticus; from Greek sabbatikos; meaning “of the sabbath” – the seventh day
of the week.
In ancient Israel, the law required that a sabbatical year
be observed every seventh year, in which the land was to be left uncultivated
and debts annulled. It was a very holy observance based on the creation story
in which God rested on the seventh day.
Now most of us are accustomed to hear of University
Professors taking sabbaticals and perhaps traveling abroad to study --- but is
this something ministers do?
Yes, in the world of Unitarian Universalism they do. Our denomination seems to think that we will
be better ministers if we occasionally take a break from our
congregations. Here is how it is stated
in UUA guidelines:
The Minister shall use sabbatical leave for study,
education, writing, meditation, and other forms of professional and religious
growth. Sabbatical leave accrues at the rate of one month per year of service,
with leave to be taken after four but before seven years of service.
I am completing my sixth year of service this month – so I’m
overdue. And yes, I’ve “earned” six
months – but I think four will do just fine.
I wanted to share with you today some of my GOALS for this
sabbatical – and that famous line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet came to mind:
“To be or not to be:
That is the Question.”
During my sabbatical I plan –
TO BE….
With family and
friends …really BE with them.
With the Spirit
in places the Spirit speaks to me and in ways that I connect with all things
spiritual.
Physically
Healthy – by continuing some exercise and dietary practices I have begun
recently and maybe strengthening them – and by learning new practices.
Growing in
knowledge and understanding, through books, classes, and reflection (writing).
Having Fun
Here – now –
(wherever here might be at the time).
During my sabbatical I plan –
NOT TO BE…
With this
congregation. I’m over-connected. I will unplug for four months for my own
growth and development and that of this congregation.
I’ll miss you of
course. But here’s why you won’t miss me
– well, not much….
• Much
planning by sabbatical committee, committee on ministry, pastoral care
associate, and board!
• Wonderful
speakers (thanks to program committee).
• Once
a month minister – Gaye Ortiz (who will also lead the ingathering and canvass
service)
• Folks
on call to meet your needs:
– Shari
Barr for Pastoral Care Needs
– Teresa
Winn for other ministerial concerns
AND – you are going to have some exciting possibilities to
consider during my absence!
What’s up?
• Board
has leased a lot on the corner of Cypress Lake Rd and the bypass to explore
possibilities of renovating the existing building (inside and out) for a future
meeting space for our congregation.
• Lease
is for 6 months. This 1.43 acre lot, the
adjacent lot, plus 4 lots nearby will be available as a gift from property
owner in early 2013 if plans are feasible for locating our fellowship there.
And here’s more good news!
At their June meeting, UUFS board
members named Matt Dowling as our Project Director for Exploration of Building
Renovation. Matt is the husband of our Children's Religious Education
Committee Chair, Jenni Dowling, and father of Patrick and Will. He is
also a general contractor for Hardin Construction, a large commercial
contracting firm with offices in Atlanta and several other cities in the
South. Matt oversees very large projects, like Georgia Southern's new
Centennial Plaza! However he has offered to use his skills and expertise
as we explore possibilities for renovating the building at the corner of
Cypress Lake Road and Veterans Memorial Highway. Matt also has a drafting
business and is now drawing up possible plans for us to use in estimating
costs.
He's open to our ideas and hopes
to hear that many of us have ways we can help save money by doing some of this
work ourselves! You'll be hearing more from Matt as we progress.
Please thank him for his generous service to our congregation!
Now – what can YOU do?
• Share
ideas and possibilities with board for:
– Financing
this possibility
– Raising
Funds that will be needed
– THEN
– help organize a fund raiser for our building fund (perhaps silent auction in
the fall?)
• Give
special gifts to building fund.
• Share
ways with Matt that you can help.
• Provide
“in-kind” gifts of cleaning, clearing, mowing, landscaping, etc.
• Share
excitement with others and bring in folks who can help make this happen!
We’re asking you
to use your imaginations and creativity as we move forward.
THEN VOTE –
After careful consideration of possibilities, be ready to
VOTE at our Annual Meeting in the fall on whether or not the congregation will
accept this gift with the intent of using it as our future location!
So I leave you with good plans and good opportunities. And I look forward to seeing what’s happened
when I return. Meanwhile, I’m going to
end this sermon time the way I used to watch Roy and Dale end their television program
when I was a kid.
That's interesting.. superbly written!!
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