May 4, 2023

Hello St. Michael’s! It is officially May, which means we are getting closer to summer and to my upcoming sabbatical scheduled for July 1 - August 20. This is half of a sabbatical, and I plan to take the second half in the summer of 2024. You can read about these plans and their evolution by going here: https://www.stmichaelsbarrington.org/media-resources/st-michael-s-blog/19-blog/pastors-blog/1269-rector-sabbatical-changes

So what is a sabbatical, what will I be doing, and what are the protocols? I hope this newsletter article answers all of those questions.

A sabbatical is simply a time of rest and renewal; for academia, a professor might engage in research and travel. For priests, we tend to combine rest, continuing education, and family priorities during our time away. For rectors in the Diocese of Chicago (and many other dioceses), a sabbatical is a required component in our letters of agreement, understanding that the work to lead a parish and be available almost 24x7 requires a respite every 7 years or so. Very simply, a sabbatical is the only time as a priest when I am not required to be available and on call in some way. The vestry and I began my sabbatical planning at the urging of Bishop Chilton over a year ago.

I am taking half of my sabbatical this summer, and focusing this time on rest and family. I will be out of the office and unavailable, but spending the majority of that time still in Barrington. What happens if you see me in the grocery store, at Starbucks, or outside in the rectory yard? Say “Hi!”, but let’s avoid talking about church business. :) Next summer, in the second half of my sabbatical, I will be starting a doctoral degree and focusing on the professional development component.

To accommodate parish needs during my time away, St. Michael’s has been faithfully putting money aside for years to cover any supply costs for priests and staff without impacting the annual budget. This summer, Deacon Tim will be joining the paid staff for this summer as our Head of Ministries; anything to do with the committees, teams, pastoral care, worship, and ministries at St. Michael’s will be under his purview. On Sundays, we are scheduling supply priests to come and celebrate the Eucharist with us and also preach. Our senior warden, Lindsay Taylor, will be working on the 75th anniversary plans, and our junior warden, Bill Ferry, will be a resource for staff and the building and grounds. While we cannot plan for every possible contingency, I believe this plan will have someone in place to handle any issue or concern that may arise. After seven weeks away, I will return on August 21, and preach on August 27. To have this benefit as a rector is a great gift, and I am thankful for this parish and this diocese to permit it.

If you have an emergency (during this summer or any time throughout the year), you may call the church main number 847-381-2323 and press extension 5 after hour to be transferred to the on call clergy.

We have a couple of months yet to go, so if you have any questions please email me. Also, on May 28, we will be celebrating Pentecost Sunday, so wear your red! Hotdogs will be on the grill, and a self-pay ice cream truck will be here following the 10am service.

Blessings,

Jesse+