Sabbatical
From the Senior Warden
Sabbatical
Greetings –
It’s hard to believe that our Rector Liz has been leading CoR for almost four years…And what a time it has been! On behalf of the vestry, we want to announce that Rev. Liz will be taking her contracted sabbatical from mid-November through mid-February. This is a standard practice in the Episcopal Church. Moreover, we know it is best practice toward nurturing and caring for a rector we hold so dearly; both preventing burnout and providing opportunity for revitalized energy in her call and capacity with us here.
We are reassured and delighted to have fantastic coverage during this period. With our own Rev. Whitney moving to full time, critical support from Reverends Donald and Martha, as well as other guests, we will be in great stead during Advent, Christmas, and the start of Lent.
Please see Liz’ message for details and feel free to reach out with questions.
In peace and resurrection-
Lindsay Firth
Senior Warden
From the Rector
A Time of Rest
Dear Friends,
When I came aboard in the fall of 2019, one of the great gifts the vestry included in my Letter of Agreement was the provision for a sabbatical after four years of serving as your rector. Incredibly, that time is rapidly approaching. After conversations with our wardens, vestry, and staff, I will be on sabbatical from November 13, 2023 through February 19, 2024. I’m delighted to share that Resurrection will be in wonderfully competent and familiar hands while I’m away. Rev. Whitney has agreed to serve full-time as our Interim Sabbatical Rector, Rev. Martha, Rev. Donald, and Rev. Brad will all be offering their support while I’m away, and we will be welcoming in a series of fabulous guest preachers. Whitney and I will also be working over the coming months to build up support for lay leaders and share out some of my responsibilities so that her load is realistic. So, thank you in advance for your willingness to lend a hand!
I’ve fallen into quite a few conversations lately about how slippery time feels these days. Perhaps it’s the impending start to another school year, or the lasting impact of years warped by the pandemic, or maybe how many folks have tried to catch up on travel and celebrations since both have become viable again. For all these reasons and more, it is astonishing to me that I’ve been with you all at Resurrection for nearly four years, and for only four years. The “before-times” seem so distant: my kids were four and eight, and they are now heading into 3rd grade and middle school. As a community, we’ve traversed more changes than I can count, and I am so grateful for where and how we’ve landed, and how we’re continuing to move forward together.
The deeper I get in this wild and joyful work of ministry, the more I have come to value an intentional practice of rest. It is so easy to forget that this is one of God’s commands for us, and overlook the fact that the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy is named before not murdering or stealing! And yet, my goodness, it is striking how much our world is set up to work against this rhythm of slowing down, recentering, connecting with God and family, and simply being. Perhaps because sabbath is so countercultural, I am all the more grateful that our congregation, and especially our vestry, holds it as a priority.
My sabbatical plans are still forming, but here’s how they are taking shape, in broad brushstrokes. I’m looking forward to some extended visits with beloveds and time to adventure with my family — a few weeks in Indiana, and hopefully visits to both the snow and the sand. I’m eager to find a happy balance between time to pray, write, hike, create, and rest while Sam and Alice are at school, and the space to be fully present with them when they come home. I’m especially excited to spend Advent and Christmas with them just as their mom, while not also leading a congregation — a first for all of us!
Most of all, I’m grateful for the opportunity to rest deeply, so that I can come back restored and ready for our next chapter of wonder, challenge, and beauty together. I’m keenly aware of the dismal statistics on clergy burnout. I’ve watched too many friends and colleagues grow exhausted and disheartened and leave this work. I don’t feel burned out now, and I also know that none of us are immune… I suspect that this is why God asks us to rest at regular intervals, rather than just when it becomes dire. I’m grateful for your collective support so we can continue this adventure together, and so that together we can all be whole, healthy, connected, and rooted in God’s love.
I’ll share more details for the sabbatical as they come, but for now, just know how thankful I am.
Thanks and love,
Liz+