What is on my “not to do” list?
The Daily Question, gratefulness.org (October 24, 2018)
I’ve been gifted sabbatical time in 2019. It would be natural for readers to conclude that I am excited at this opportunity. Apprehensive and privileged are better descriptors of how I feel about sabbatical. So, I put my liberal arts education to work and began with a definition to better frame the time.
Definition of sabbatical for English language learners: “A period of time during which someone does not work at his or her regular job and is able to rest, travel, do research, etc.”(1)
That definition describes how Lisa and I practice being on holiday. This British idiom “on holiday” is what Americans call “vacation.” I embrace the notion of being on holiday as time paused rather than escape from ________ (fill in the blank for yourself), which is what I hear most when people talk of going on vacation. “We are getting away from . . .” Some of us are gifted vacation as part of our compensation for work, but too few of us actually use it. I am one of those. Vacation time is banked for lots of activities but not often used as ‘holiday” time. During holiday, I don’t always do a good job of pausing and letting the email or voicemail go unchecked. That is something that must change during sabbatical time, and I recognize it will not be easy for me. I wonder how you would do with being disconnected from your life’s vocation? I’ll be treating sabbatical time like I am on holiday.
Typically, a person would be on sabbatical for consecutive months. I recommend you do it that way. In the Region’s case, we provide for three months of sabbatical. I’ve cheated a bit and will not be doing consecutive time. During my pause, I have some writing projects to complete that require more attention than a weekend or week of time. I’m looking forward to sharing that work, focused on children’s sermons, a children’s bulletin, and a worship resource for families, with our congregations and clergy. I’ll also spend some time working on my physical and mental self. I’m exploring continuing education opportunities, and there is some ocean and beach time too.
In the coming month, there will be decisions about who will pick-up my responsibilities while I am away, and what of my work will “pause” as well. I’m grateful for our quality staff, for Pam and Leslie’s support, for the support of the Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults, and for the Regional Youth Council. Our volunteers are the strength of the programmatic ministry our Region does as we love and serve like Jesus.
Michael’s Sabbatical Dates
January 7-Feb 1 / March 25-April 30 / July 15-August 16
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Note
1. “Sabbatical.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 12 July 2018.
