Sabbatical, 2008
Jane Thickstun

Ancient wisdom tells us to take a sabbath - a day of rest for every six that we work. This means the true rest and relaxation needed for renewal of the spirit, not a day of household chores like laundry and cleaning. I hope you all take such a day every week, whether it is Sunday or not.

Ancient wisdom also prescribes a sabbatical - a year of rest for every six that we work. It is good for cropland, and it is good for the human spirit. Certain professions honor this wisdom, and promote creativity and productivity through periodic sabbaticals. The academic community has long recognized the value of a sabbatical. It would be a benefit of tremendous value to other work contexts if they could realize what they and their professional staff could gain through periodic sabbatical time of any duration.

The Unitarian Universalist community has for a while recognized how the 24/7 nature of the work of ministry takes a deep toll on its participants, and how important sabbatical time can be to helping ministers stay fresh, balanced and energized in their work. It is common to include provision for sabbatical in the agreement congregations have with their new ministers.

According to my agreement, I accrue one month for every year of service, not to be taken before the completion of four years. Next year will be my eighth year, and I'm planning to take a five-month sabbatical from January through May. I have been in conversation with the board and the Committee on Ministry, and been passing around the Sabbatical Handbook that the UUMA has published. Recently, a Sabbatical Committee has been formed to see that the necessary preparations are proceeding, the important questions are being asked and responded to, and to communicate about developing plans. The Sabbatical Committee will also be in place during the sabbatical to make sure that things are getting done and that staff and committees feel sufficiently supported and appreciated. The members of the Sabbatical Committee are: Jackie Anderson, Kyle Bagnall, Bruce Froelich, Maxine Guettler, Janice Kwaikowski, Donna Wedge, and Becky Carlson.

I am still in the process of forming the plan for my sabbatical, but it will probably include time in New Orleans working to help the victims of the flooding, and time with a small UU congregation in St. Croix. I hope to have lots of time for reading all the books that I haven't had a chance to get to. I hope to have lots of time for silence, for meditation, for contemplation, for reflection. I hope to have time for fun, and maybe I'll even learn something new.

You'll be hearing more as we go. If you have any questions, ask the Sabbatical Committee or me.

in fellowship,

Jane

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland is recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation. We welcome, affirm, promote and celebrate the full participation of all persons in all of our activities without regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, race or any other such category of exclusion.

Please feel free to contact us with any feedback, corrections or questions at jaham@delta.edu