Christ Church Exeter
Rector Sabbatical 2020
Mark’s
Timeline
December 30 – Depart for Mexico
From January 4-February 3 in Oaxaca, Mexico.
I will take Sunday services at Holy Trinity Anglican Church
while taking Spanish refresher classes geared for my work with detainees in the
jail in Dover. Leslie will join me in
Mexico.
February 3-12 Home in New Hampshire
February 9 – Sunday worship at a local congregation
February 13-16 – Reconnecting with family in Florida
March 6-16 – Travel to Israel for course at St. George’s
College
Jerusalem
March 17-31 – Home in New Hampshire
April 1 – Return to the church to ready for Holy Week
Frequently Asked Questions
Why a sabbatical?
·
Offered to clergy after 5-7 years
of consecutive service, this time is meant to be for intentional exploration,
reflection, for regaining the enthusiasm and creativity for ministry for both the congregation and clergy.
How is it a sabbatical for both
clergy and congregations?
·
This is a time set apart not only
for clergy but for congregations to pray, reflect and reimagine their passion
for ministry both with the clergy as well as a community called in Christ’s
name to serve the world.
Are sabbaticals for
clergy common and how is it different from a vacation?
·
Yes. Both at the Diocesan and Congregational level
clergy are encouraged to take time after serving a congregation continuously
for at least five years. It is different
from a vacation in that leave taking is seen as a way to continue to cultivate
one’s passion and call for ministry and not merely be time off.
What will Mark do
during his time away?
·
Mark will be out of the country
for seven weeks. The rest of the time he
will largely be at home in Greenland working through a reading list and other
sabbatical goals.
Will Mark be in
contact with the congregation when he is away on sabbatical?
·
No.
One of Mark’s objectives is to make this truly a time of renewal and
respite. In doing so, he plans on
“unplugging” from the duties of daily life to enter a different rhythm of
prayer, intention and reflection.
How long will Mark be
gone? When is he actually away?
He will be gone three
months from January 1 through March 30, returning to the church office
April 1.
Who will oversee ministries
and pastoral care needs while he is away?
·
The Rev. Alanna Van Antwrepen and The Rev. David
Holroyd will oversee his obligations while he is away. Alanna will attend to office and staff
support and be the main presider and preacher on Sundays. David will continue his role as Priest
Associate for Pastoral Care. Sally
Farrell will continue her duties, as well as to monitor all of Mark’s church
emails.
What will this cost?
·
Christ Church had set aside $3,900
that will be provided to Mark to fund his trip to Israel. Mark obtained a grant from the Diocese to
cover other expenses. The parish will budget an additional amount in 2020 to
compensate The Rev. Antwrepen for her sabbatical coverage. Mark has also secured a grant from the
Diocese of Hampshire.
“A time of Refresher Leave (or sabbatical) for congregations and clergy strengthens congregations by providing opportunities for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life while the congregation simultaneously engages in a time of reflection,
exploration and discovery.”
–The Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program
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