Thank you to all who participated in our sabbatical Zoom call with Connectional
Presbyter Cindy Kohlmann and participated in our sabbatical coffee hour. I found the
conversation encouraging and energizing. I appreciated the authenticity of the discussion,
and I loved all the creative ideas that came out of those events. At our April meeting, session
approved my sabbatical leave for next spring/summer. I will be on leave from April 17 – July
23, 2023. My plan is to spend time in the beauty of God’s creation by touring and hiking
through several national parks. I plan to tour the “Mighty Five” National Parks in Utah
(Arches, Canyonland, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion), along with Grand Canyon,
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
I plan to take a spiritual retreat at a Franciscan house in Arizona. I also plan to spend some time
reconnecting with friends and family, as well as visit other places of worship. If time and funding permits, I will also travel to Maine for a couple of weeks. This will be a time of rest and renewal, as well as an opportunity to explore new places and enjoy God’s presence in the beauty of his creation. I hope to return rejuvenated for more effective ministry at HoC. The session will hire a part-time bridge pastor to provide worship leadership and pastoral coverage while I’m on leave. The congregation will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fellowship activities to keep everyone connected. I hope this time of sabbatical leave will be beneficial to the congregation as well as to my own wellbeing.
Per the presbytery policy on sabbatical leave, the church will continue to pay my salary and benefits
during the leave period, as well as expenses for the bridge pastor. The funds will come from our regular
congregational giving and the endowment. To fund my sabbatical activities, I will utilize rolled-over funds from my professional expense and study leave portion of my terms of call from this year and next year, as well as personal savings. I can also apply for grant funding through the denomination’s Board of Pensions.
We have also applied for a significant grant through the Eli Lilly Foundation which funds clergy
sabbaticals through their Clergy Renewal Program. This grant is up to $50,000 total – $15,000 of which can be used by the congregation to fund a bridge pastor and other congregational activities during the sabbatical leave period. The remaining amount can be used to fund the pastor’s sabbatical activities and travel. If we receive the grant, all sabbatical costs to the church and the pastor will be covered. We will be notified in late August on the status of the grant.
We will keep everyone updated on how the sabbatical plans are coming together. Please keep me and
the session in prayer as we make plans for the sabbatical leave. Please also pray that our Lilly grant application is favorably received. I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity, and I am very grateful to you all for giving me this time of extended rest and renewal. Thank you all for your support and prayers!
Blessings.
Hilary
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