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Sabbath
Rest
We
have a rare opportunity as a congregation to do something special for
Pastor Steen.
He has
requested a three-month sabbatical during the summer months of
June, July, and August of 2010.
A sabbatical
is a period of time during which rostered ministers set aside
their normal responsibilities at congregations for the purpose of
renewal. Sabbaticals
are not just for pastors. The ELCA
encourages its congregations to offer sabbaticals to all rostered
ministers. Congregational
sabbaticals focus on the total person
- the minister's physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual
needs. It
offers a minister the chance to break the routine of daily ministry and
do
something very different. It
creates space
for creativity, rest, and renewal. It will give Pastor Steen the
marvelous gift
of time - time to use totally as he chooses.
A sabbatical
leave is also a way for our congregation
to express how much we value him.
The
concepts
of a sabbatical are grounded on the biblical idea of Sabbath rest. The example of Jesus, who
frequently sought
out a quiet place where he could meditate and pray, away from the
constant demands
of the crowds. This
sabbatical will provide
Pastor Steen with a chance to step away from the long hours of work to
find healing
and rest, and then to return to us equipped and refreshed with new ways
of being
in ministry.
Sabbaticals
are offered after a minister has completed six years of continuous
service in one place. Pastor Steen will celebrate his thirteenth year
in this congregation
in 2010.
The
Mutual Ministry
committee and the church council support this request and we now ask
you to
give this prayerful thought and support as well. We realize there could
be some
concern by the thought of Pastor Steen being absent for three months,
however,
we as a congregation could discover internal resources to carry on
without
having him always on hand. We
will look
for ministry leadership and assistance within our congregation itself. We are blessed with people
who have the gifts and
skills to provide leadership during those three months.
The
congregation would be expected to pay Pastor Steen’s full
salary,
housing allowance, and health and pension benefits during his
sabbatical. In
addition, the congregation will need to provide
pulpit supply. There
are three different
grants that we will be applying for. The
largest grant is from the Lilly Endowment, which offers money for
sabbaticals
through its National Clergy Renewal Program. This
endowment awards grants to congregations
that offer a program for the renewal of their pastor and, at the same
time,
gives the congregations themselves an opportunity to better themselves
as vital
places of worship and mission. There
is
another grant from the Wheatridge Foundation and one from the
Louisville foundation.
A Sabbatical
committee
will be formed to write these grants and work closely together with the
Council
and Mutual Ministry committee to make provisions for the ongoing
ministry of
the church.
—Trish
Tisthammer, Council Chairman
—Bethlehem
Lutheran Church Council and Mutual
Ministry Committee
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