What’s a Sabbath Seeker?

Greetings, everyone! However you landed upon this page, I wish you peace and a blessed sabbath’s rest. This blog is my own journal, reflection, info dump, and source of inspiration while I begin the process of applying for the Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grant. For those unfamiliar with it (you can find a link on my “resources” page) the Lilly Foundation awards several grants for clergy who are seeking a sabbatical. The process is lengthy to apply and probably, rightfully so. As I’m kicking this blog off at the beginning of 2023, I won’t have an opportunity to apply until 2024. Then it will be another year, 2025 (if awarded a grant) when I’ll get the chance to take my first sabbatical.

I chose the name “Sabbath Seeker” for the blog, because that’s in essence what I’m doing here. I’m on my lengthy journey seeking a sabbath’s rest. I’ve been in ordained ministry now for 16 years through ups and downs. I think it’s fair to say most of us who led congregations through the pandemic are pretty pooped. I know I am (and I’ll post more about that later down the road). Suffice it to say, I know I’m ready for some long overdue rest and renewal.

It’s my hope that you’ll follow me along on this lengthy journey and maybe inspire you to seek the Sabbath’s rest in your own vocation, whether clergy or lay. I plan on posting a wide variety of things from the work our sabbatical committee is doing, to quotes from the Church Father’s regarding sabbath rest, to helpful resources and aids that might help you in planning your own sabbatical. If it be God’s will and having the blessing of my parish, this will also hopefully be a place where I will put up photos, videos, and more blog posts from my time on sabbatical in 2025.

The peace of the Lord be with you alway!