Back in 2012, I was blessed to receive a Lilly Foundation grant that helped underwrite a sabbatical for myself and my family. Charlotte and Ian were in middle school, and we took three months to go live in Auckland, New Zealand. It was a positive, transformative sabbatical for me and for our family. In addition, ELPC recognized that between our very skilled staff and dedicated volunteers, the ministry of our church could thrive without my presence.
I mention this because I am looking toward another sabbatical in 2020. Eight years have elapsed; both kids are now in college. In my almost 14 years here at ELPC, I’ve seen a lot of change and progress happen within our church. There were several initial years of my ministry here in which we had to work at hiring a strong staff, move into more fiscally-responsible spending habits, and rebuild a shared trust and mutual commitment to justice, outreach, and radical hospitality. Then, during the past six years, we put our energies into re-thinking our building and considering needed renovations so that our architecture might fully align with our mission priorities. Having completed this extended season of renovation work and bicentennial celebrations, we are stepping into a new chapter for ELPC. Where is God leading us for the future?
I hope to be around as we consider together the possible answers to that prior question. But to do that, a time of sabbatical serves two important purposes. It allows me to have an extended period for reflection, travel, and “soul nurture,” which are critical components of my self-care and pastoral efficiency. It also allows all of you to have some time reflecting yourselves on what it means to be a Presbyterian church built around a “priesthood of all believers,” committed to ministry that pulls on the gifts of staff and congregation members alike, and is open to where God’s Spirit is leading you both individually and communally.
Our Session recently voted to become a Matthew 25 Congregation. This is a designation that comes from the Presbyterian Mission Agency of our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) national offices. It means that we as a church fully commit ourselves to three primary goals: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. Many of those goals we are already doing programmatically, yet all of them could benefit from intentional reflection and new initiatives that can bear fruit in the coming years. I hope this will be part of your “sabbatical work” during my absence.
My plans are for Beth and me to travel to Barcelona, Spain, and stay there from January 20 to March 31. We will do some touring around and host some family and friends (including our kids on their spring breaks). But mostly, we hope it is a time to be open to God’s grace while away and nurture a recommitment to Christ’s service for when we return. I am very grateful to have wonderful colleagues in Pastors Heather and Patrice, plus the rest of our church staff, who can shoulder the leadership roles in my absence. And I value your prayers as we prepare for this new adventure, and trust a sabbatical experience will be good for both my family and our entire church family.
—Randy Bush