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.). Ask your parish clergyperson if they’ve been on sabbatical recently and what they found helpful in that experience. And if they’ve been there 5 years and haven’t gone on sabbatical yet – ask them when it’s scheduled. Sometimes we need a nudge.
In the year ahead your Bishop and Canons will be taking our sabbaticals. Bishop Hughes will have been with us 7 years this coming September and both Canon Clark and I have been with you right at 6 years. It’s time!
I’ll be away on sabbatical from June 22-September 16 (and then for a week or two in January 2026). Bishop Hughes is away on sabbatical December 15-February 14 (and then for a month in summer 2026). Canon Clark will be away on sabbatical April-June of 2026, starting just after Easter.
My own plans include retreat time, attending Societas Liturgica (an international ecumenical liturgy conference for scholars that occurs every other year), an immersion Spanish course, some reading and writing, and plenty of down time, including time to visit family. Anything you may need from me during this time can be sorted out by Canon Clark or Randy Johnson. They’ll connect you with whoever can best help you until I get back in mid-September.
See you all then!
Pax,
Canon Wright
