Rod's Sabbatical: Some Questions and Answers

Rod during our Easter service

ROD'S SABBATICAL: MORE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Continued from our last edition, about the pastor's June-August leave) Who will be preaching and leading worship while Rod is away? The Worship Committee has assembled a balance of guest ministers and lay preachers, which should ensure diverse and lively messages! Guests will include the Rev. Ken Grant (a former General Presbyter of Boston Presbytery), Rev. Dr. Ward Holder (theology professor at St. Anselm's College in New Hampshire), Rev. Dr. Gerry Wyrwas (Pastoral Counselor), Rev. Elliott Hipp (director of the Community Day Center at Waltham Presbyterian Church), Sara Herwig (a candidate for ministry under care of Boston Presbytery), and Kathy Johnstone (mother of Brenda Flynn, and a Commissioned Lay Preacher from Mineral, Washington). Services (and bulletins) will be prepared through the combined efforts of the Worship Committee, preacher of the week, organist/choir director Nancy Timmerman, Ann Montague, and others interested in contributing their talents. A collection of resources (such as Calls to Worship, Prayers of Confession, and Prayers of Thanksgiving) will be available as needed in the church office. If interested in helping prepare services, contact Worship Chair Joan Ross (Joan.Ross@comcast.net). Worship leaders will be provided with resources to select from, which will include possibilities for Prayers of the People, which will be added to the usual leader responsibilities. On July 4, the congregation is invited to attend worship with our neighbors at the United Church of Christ, Congregational in Burlington. We will be hosts for them on August 1. What about needs for congregational care? Our great Deacons are preparing to provide some regular visits to folks unable to attend worship; they will be ready, as usual, to extend caring in the case of hospitalizations and other needs. They will also maintain the list of Rod's clergy colleagues who have agreed to be on call in case of urgent requests and funerals. The Deacons have been having brief training sessions with Rod in particular kinds of caregiving. If you would like to assist the Deacons in their ministry of caring, contact Millie Wiegand (gwiegand@comcast.net). What about planning for the fall? Our Christian Education, Worship, Stewardship and Membership committees will be responsible for planning fall program, beginning with a look ahead this spring. Rod will be available through the end of May. There is no need for this to be a period of inaction for the church family! How about the office, newsletter, and other administrative needs? Ann Montague will be working three days weekly during June, and two days (to be announced) during July and August. As always, she will welcome your calls and assist you in any way she can. The Crossroads will be published: an edition for July-August, and one for September. Articles may be directed to Ann. She will check mail, and share with Deacons in checking answering machine. Trustees will handle custodial and maintenance issues, as always, including preparing the sanctuary (windows, fans, etc.) for Sunday mornings. Your go-to folks: For worship concerns: Joan Ross, Worship Chair (Joan.Ross@comcast.net) For care needs: Millie Wiegand, Deacons Moderator (gwiegand@comcast.net) For building issues: Steve Ross, Trustees Chair (sjare@comcast.net) Administrative things: Mary Anne McDonald, Session Clerk (mam42@theworld.com) Alternates in case of absence of any of these will be published soon. When is Rod leaving and returning? Sunday, May 30 will be the Sunday before Rod's sabbatical begins, and he looks forward to being commissioned at that time to this period of learning and refreshment. His first Sunday back will be September 12 (and this will be our Communion Sunday for that month). In between, whether Rod is away or in town, it is important to recognize and respect that he is on sabbatical leave. Feel free to approach the people named above or Rod (up to May 30) with any questions you may have. Rod's Sabbatical: Some Questions and Answers What is a Sabbatical? The word sabbatical has its roots in the biblical concept of Sabbath ("to rest" or "to cease"). Sabbath is a recognition that God intends for us to honor regular times for rest, worship and renewal of our spirits. such times should be part of each life Pastors' schedules often allow for little such time. Some pastoral arrangements nowadays call for a sabbatical every seventh year. Rod has not taken one in his nearly 25 years as BPC's pastor. How long will Rod be away? The sabbatical will take place from June 1 until August 31; this will be followed by a week of vacation. His first Sunday back will be September 12. During this time, Rod will be spending some time in travel, and other time at home doing reading and reflecting. Even while he is in town, though, it is important to honor the fact that he is "off duty". How will costs be covered? Rod has accumulated several years of continuing education allowance, which will cover much of the cost to him. Plans for preaching and pastoral coverage in his absence are being arranged in such a way as to prevent any additional costs to the church in these challenging economic times. How will Rod's responsibilities be handled while he is away? Preaching will be shared among 13 guest clergy and lay members of our church. Rod's clergy friends are agreeing to preach a Sunday without honorarium, so give them some powerful appreciation (as well as to our own members)! It will be a wonderful opportunity for the church to hear a variety of voices working with God's word! Congregational needs should be addressed to the combination of Deacons and ministers who have agreed to be on call. Several of our leaders will be the "go to" folks for key things: Worship: Joan Ross Congregational Care: Millie Wiegand Building matters: Steve Ross Administration: Mary Anne McDonald This sabbatical period may be an opportunity for you to "shine" in service to your church as a special summer helper in anything from lawn mowing to visiting shut-ins to assembling the CrossRoads to worship leading. Next month's edition of CrossRoads will carry further information for the church during this sabbatical period.