Bread Not Stone: Growing Spiritually

Our theme in worship for the month of April is “Growing Spiritually” and our Sunday services will be inviting us deeper into spiritual reflection and practice as we continue to live into the reality of the wider world. I’m delighted that we are welcoming Rabbi Jules King and Lauren Nile back to our pulpit to share their perspective and wisdom.

Growing spiritually is going to be a deep part of my upcoming sabbatical. A reminder that I will be away from the congregation on sabbatical from July 1 through Labor Day. A sabbatical is an extended time for the minister away from the day-to-day work of the congregation for study, rest, reflection, and rejuvenation. This time away helps to decrease burnout in long-term ministries and give the minister opportunity for renewal and deepening in their ministry.

Part of my plan for sabbatical is to reengage more deeply with my own spiritual practices and to study and deepen my connection to my own theological grounding in religious naturalism. I’m also hoping to deepen my understanding of the Taoist tradition which has been intriguing me for many years now. I hope that this deepening will pay itself out in my preaching and teaching over the coming years and in the ways I call us to stay connected to our larger Unitarian Universalist theologies.

During the time of my sabbatical, I will be fully away from the congregation and out of contact. The Board, the Committee on Ministry, the Worship Team, and the Care Committee have been in conversation about how the congregation will manage in my absence. To that end, the congregation has hired a minister who will be available for pastoral care and who will preach four times in July and August (about what I would preach).

I am delighted to share that we have asked the Rev. Everett Howe to serve our congregation as Sabbatical Minister during my absence. Rev. Everett lives in San Diego and has served congregations there in many capacities, including as Minister at the Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Santee (outside of San Diego). Rev. Everett also works for our Unitarian Universalist Association supporting our online Worship Web resource and the upcoming new online hymnal. He is a valued colleague and I know you’ll be in good hands over the summer with him. You’ll have an opportunity to meet him in June and I’ll be sharing ways you can get to know his work in the months ahead.

Sabbaticals are wonderful opportunities for renewal for both the congregation and the minister who serves them. I am grateful for this time for rest and study—as I remain grateful to be your minister as we continue crafting this shared ministry together.

in peace and love

Rev. Ian