Canton Presbyterian Church 

Overview of Sabbatical Leave, in Esta's words:

 

My Sabbatical Leave will focus on flow: feeling it, restoring it, and setting new patterns to maintain it. Flow is a state of creative freedom, rest, play, and emotional, physical, and relational wellbeing. Being in flow looks like engaging my creative spirit, writing poetry, taking long walks, dancing, listening to music, laughing with friends, cooking good meals, reading for fun, detoxing from Facebook, being connected in the moment, enjoying nature, and getting good sleep.

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Unfortunately, it’s been harder to access that flow in recent years, given the multiple crises our community has endured. Sabbatical Leave will provide focused, holy time set aside to deeply ground myself in the healing and natural rhythms of life that God intends for me.

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While on Sabbatical Leave, I plan to take two short trips to visit family and to the beach. Otherwise, I plan to be unscheduled and spontaneous, either traveling or staying at my farm. Frankly, the only set-in-stone appointments on my calendar in August and September are weekly massages.

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The Bible provides a vision for divine and human rest through sabbath-keeping. It’s a liberating vision for individuals and communities not relegated only to Sundays. I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn more fully about the life God wants for all of us, and look forward to reuniting with everyone in October.

 

Q. How can I get in touch with Esta during the sabbatical?

 

A1. For those who need a pastor in an emergency situation, our Emergency Pastoral Caregivers are “the Toms”, who are sharing the duties. Please reach out to clerk of session Jennifer Johnson (828-342-3315, jdjohnson929@gmail.com) who will connect you, or contact the Toms directly during their assigned weeks.

 

• August 1 – 15 and all of September : Rev. Tom Phillips (423-335-1105, tphillips@presbyterywnc.org)

• August 16 – 31: Rev. Tom Owens (540-255-8232, towens2@wnccumc.net)

 

A2. For those wishing to communicate with Esta, Lisa White (910-233-7880, lisa84237@gmail.com) is the designated contact person who will pass on any communications about which it is imperative that Esta be informed in a timely way. All messages between the pastor and congregation will go through Lisa.

 

Note from Esta: If it looks like I am ignoring emails, calls, texts, social media, etc., please know it is not personal. Sabbatical Leave is designed for me to disengage completely from pastoral responsibilities. I am not making individual decisions about whether to reply; I will be completely disconnected from all normal means of communication with the congregation. If a message doesn't come from Lisa White, I won't even see it.

 

The goal is twofold: I will come back a rested and refreshed human being and pastor, one who has not sabotaged this time by constantly checking and responding to messages, and the congregation will have the opportunity to grow in its own refreshing ways.

 

Q. What will Esta be doing for her sabbatical?

 

Note from Esta: The goal of Sabbatical Leave for pastors is different than sabbatical in academia. My goal, as approved by the session, is rest and renewal of my body, mind, and spirit, so there will be no one project or product to show for this time. Sabbatical Leave is a unique and profound opportunity to just be at a more deliberate pace than allowed by the cycle of weekly preaching, church ministry, and administration, and regularly compromised vacation time and weekly day off. My Sabbatical Leave will include periods of travel, time in nature, family time, and pure rest.

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I will share stories about my experiences when I return in October, and look forward to hearing from the congregation about what the time has meant for you.