Mother Diana will be on a long overdue sabbatical from July 1st-October 15th.  Her final Sunday with us before she goes will be on June 28th.  We will pray for her and wish her well.  While on sabbatical, we will again be blessed with the ministry of the Rev. Sharon Hausmann.  Mother Sharon led us the last time Mother Diana was on sabbatical back in 2019.  For pastoral emergencies, Deacon Jackie will be the primary contact.  For administrative concerns, please see our Wardens Tom Reynolds & Michelle Ryndak.  

The following is from the Diocese of Newark about clergy sabbaticals:
“One of our expectations for clergy is that they intentionally take care of themselves so that they can take care of all those entrusted to them as pastors. That includes annual physicals, regular therapy and spiritual direction, and time away for retreat, rest, and restoration. That time away takes the form of regular days off and vacation time, primarily, but also includes an extended period after 5 years of ministry – a sabbatical.

We as a diocese have set an expectation that our clergy take 3 months away after every 5 years in the same ministry setting, to ensure better health and creativity in their life and work. This time away is not only good and renewing for the clergyperson, but has significant benefits for the congregation or faith community as well. The ministry that rested, healthy clergy can provide to the church is itself healthier, more creative, and can be sustained longer.

Many of our parish clergy have taken sabbatical in recent years – the pandemic delayed and disrupted sabbatical plans across the diocese, so many priests have been catching up on their needed sabbatical time. Sabbaticals often include some kind of special interest or focus that the individual may not be able to pursue during a regular work schedule (such as a photography project, or an exploration of family history, or intentional travel). Clergy sabbaticals always include a spiritual component (retreat time, pilgrimages, such as the Camino de Santiago in Spain, or doing spiritual reading or writing) and rest (plenty of down time, unscheduled time, time with family, etc.).”