Time out!
Today I begin a 3-month Sabbatical, returning to Holy Trinity on 1st August.
Below is a rough itinerary of how I plan to spend the time - a happy balance of study, rest, family time and a bit of travel!
Sabbatical Plans
May
Family
holiday in Snowdonia; a visit to Northern Ireland; attendance at a week-long Leadership Conference in Keswick.
June
London Men’s Convention along with others from Holy Trinity;
attendance at the 3rd GAFCON Conference in Jerusalem followed by a retreat in
Galilee; time away with Libby.
July
Time to read, reflect and to visit other churches;
a day conference at Oak Hill College ‘Images of Glory’, looking at what it means for us to
bear the image of God in the world.
Sabbatical leave follows the biblical principle of Sabbath - a time of rest, refreshment and renewal, and it is offered to Clergy in the Southwark Diocese after 14 years of
Ordained Ministry. It was 16 years ago that I came to Holy Trinity as Curate
and during that time covered for the Vicar as Gary Jenkins went on a 3 month
Sabbatical!
In
addition to the list above, I plan to spend time visiting my parents in Burton on Trent,
and time away individually with Esme and Fergus doing something of their
choosing. There is also a slim chance that Derby County will make it to the
play-off final at Wembley on 26th May, and I hope to be there!
I
am looking forward to visiting other larger Anglican evangelical churches with a
view to seeing what we can learn for the way that we structure our services
here at Holy Trinity.
I
also look forward to having time to read - there is reading to do in
preparation for the Keswick leadership conference, and I plan to work through a
pile of books that others have recommended. I have also discovered the Mick
Herron spy novels and plan to relax into the world of international espionage…
My
Sabbatical is made all the more restful in the knowledge that Holy Trinity is in
good hands.
The
weekly staff and leadership team meeting will take place with Sarah Alexander chairing
them; the PCC and PMC will continue their business under the chairmanship of
Paul Taylor.
The
work of preparing for our Holiday Club and autumn Mission will gather pace, the
search for a new Families and Children’s Worker will continue, and repairs to
the Vestry will begin.
Sundays
will see some familiar faces returning to the pulpit – Gary Jenkins, David King
and Luke Ijaz (former Vicar, and Associate Vicars) will be preaching, as will
Andrew Harland and Charlie Robinson who both grew up at Holy Trinity. I am
gutted that I shall not be here – don’t miss them yourselves!
But the church is the body of Christ, and he has
equipped his body very well with all that we needs to continue our week by week
worship, witness and welcome.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor.12:27
I
look forward to seeing you on my return, and will be praying for Holy Trinity
whilst I am away. I hope to return from the Sabbatical feeling rested in body,
refreshed in mind, and renewed in spirit – do pray!
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