Dear Ones,
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to take some sabbatical time in this coming program year. In my last ministry setting, I chose to go into search rather than take a sabbatical which I believe was the right choice because it brought me to you. However, I have experienced 12 years of ministry including six with you without any sabbatical leave. You might recall that I took two months of medical leave last summer, which was very necessary, but it did not have the “sabbath” impact that this sabbatical will.
Ministers are granted this time as a regular part of the ongoing operations of any congregation to support a minister. I want to be clear that this sabbatical is not related to my health, nor is it a sign that I plan to go anywhere. On the contrary, taking sabbatical gives me the opportunity to restore and grow in new ways so that I can continue to serve my call to this Fellowship community with love and energy for a long time to come.
I have chosen, with help from our executive team, staff, and board, to take time in the fall and winter (November through February) because that time is slower than the beginning or end of the program year from a behind-the-scenes standpoint. I will be here helping launch our programs and then returning to help wrap them up and work on budgeting and other year-end goals.
While I’m away, Rev. Hannah will take the lead on many of our ministry tasks, including coordinating worship which will include several guest preachers. Many of the pastoral care tasks that Rev. Hannah usually does will be handed off to Rev. Pam Rumancik, who has agreed to serve as our sabbatical minister. Rev. Pam is a wonderful UU minister located north of Chicago with her wife Rev. Karen Mooney (also a UU minister!). Rev. Pam is mostly retired, except for supporting ministries like these and a half-time hospice chaplaincy. She will be here in-person a few days each month to meet with our Care Team, meet with anyone in need, and preach on Sunday. Other times she will be available by email, phone, and Zoom. We feel confident that our plans are coming together well, and that this sabbatical will be well-supported.
While I am away from this role during the sabbatical time, I will be resting and recovering my energy. I will also be reading books, taking a few trainings to bulk up my ministry skills, and working on a book proposal of children’s stories I have written. I will also be practicing Spanish! One exciting goal I have for the sabbatical is to take an immersion Spanish course. My hope is that I will recover enough skill in Spanish to be able to support our Immigration Justice ministries more fully.
If you have questions or want to know more about our sabbatical plans, please come to the Open Meeting next week, or feel free to email, call, or chat with me on Sunday mornings. You can also reach out to the other members of our executive team, Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave (hannah@fvuuf.org) or Phyllis Schmitt (phyllis@fvuuf.org).
With love,
Rev. Christina
