March 9 2023

There is a Quaker saying: “Proceed as Way Opens.”

(Read more here: https://grateful.org/resource/as-way-opens/ )

This approach to the life of faith embraces a truth that God is really at work in our lives, and in ways we might not immediately see or understand, and that if we are open to the Spirit’s movements we can be guided. In fact, approaching life in this way is deeply rooted in the belief that God is in fact guiding us, and our job along life’s way is to listen and be willing adjust when we feel that a Way has opened, or another way has closed. This usually works out within my life as: Jesse and Katy make plans, plans either work out miraculously well, or become tremendously hard, and we listen to that. Throughout my life God has opened doors, and closed them- Way opens and Way closes. It is within this spirit that I have decided to modify my sabbatical plans this summer. Trying to take the full 14 weeks all at once at this time seemed like a Way Closed. Instead, I am considering alternatives, including splitting it up, or postponing.

There are several factors here that has made it difficult to think about leaving for an extended period of time; they have made me feel as though I am forcing this rather than accepting this as a gift. At St. Michael’s, we are actively planning for the fall and our 75th anniversary, including not only some fundraising efforts, parties, but perhaps even a chance to rethink our Vision and Mission statements. My lengthy absence this summer would make this work challenging or delayed.

In addition to this, the Vestry and I are working with Amy Hoff (who brings tremendous experience in the human resources department) to take a fresh look at how our staff are aligned given our recent and fast-paced changes that have come to St. Michael's in the last 15 years. Our staff is mighty, but smaller than it was before; it is time to make sure we are not burning them out asking smaller numbers of people to do the same work a bigger staff once did. Our work together is to create manageable job descriptions that address our needs and are within our budget, pay a fair wage, and identify areas where our parish depends upon volunteers instead of staff. This is no small change in culture for our parish.

Finally, there are some personal challenges with the Doctorate of Ministry degree’s logistics and financing, which further makes me feel like I am forcing this issue rather than approaching it with the gratitude it deserves. An additional year to prepare would be welcome. Sometimes Way opens, and sometimes Way closes.

I want to thank you and the Vestry for even the chance to consider it this year. I am working with the wardens to balance the needs of the parish with the possibilities of sabbatical leave. Our tentative plan is for me to take half of a sabbatical this year, July 3 - August 20, and then the remaining time next summer.

Blessings,

Jesse+