The Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program asks pastors, in proposing sabbaticals, to answer the question: “What will make your heart sing?” The grant proposal plans a “period of spiritual, emotional, physical, and family relationship renewal, as well as to engage in research and experience which would . . . benefit the future worship life of the Northside congregation . . . The sabbatical will involve daily prayer, scripture, walking, research reading, and recreation, and creating an optimal balance among those activities. The sabbatical . . . will involve attending worship at nine different churches (mostly Presbyterian, both large and small), meeting with pastors and congregational representatives at each church . . . visiting with her parents, and her five children/step-children and their spouses and grandchildren, and participating in worship and music conferences.”
The schedule listed below doesn’t tell the whole story. You can imagine me on the road many of these days, since I plan to drive everywhere I go—I anticipate hours of driving! Of course, Doug will travel with me much of the time, and we anticipate the opportunity to renew our own relationship in the extra time we will have to share.
I have submitted to the Lilly Endowment the following goals for myself:
* Participate in daily prayer and devotional reading of scripture
* Participate in daily physical fitness activities; take time for adequate rest, sleep, and recreation
* Experience worship in a variety of settings as a worshiper rather than as a worship leader
* Read and reflect on the foundations of worship and styles of worship
* Renew relationships with my husband and other family members
* Organize many years’ worth of worship materials and sermons at my home office
* Reflect on a theological and practical structure for worship at NPC
Here are some of the people, places and activities of the sabbatical (more or less in order):
Christiansburg, VA - I'll be in and out of town during the sabbatical, working on mountains of stuff that has accumulated in my home office, preparing for the Fall schedule at NPC, plus reading, reading, reading!
Worship at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, meet with the Rev. Fred Hodges and worship committee
Worship at other locations in Southwest VA (to be determined)
Virginia Tech graduation
Fayetteville, NC - Campbell University graduation
Atlanta, Georgia - Festival of Homiletics preaching conference
Worship at Plaza Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC; meet with the Rev. Tom Tate and worship committee
Woodbridge, VA
Officiate at Walrond-Smith wedding
Worship at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Woodbridge, Virginia
Litchfield Beach, South Carolina
Enjoy family visits!
Worship at Victory Christian Fellowship, Georgetown, SC; meet with Pastors Rod Reid and Chip Judd and worship committee
Worship at Pawley’s Island Presbyterian Church, SC; meet with the Rev. Frank Holsclaw and worship committee
Black Mountain, NC - Montreat Worship and Music Conference
Worship at First Christian Church, Black Mountain; meet with the Rev. Joe Friddle and worship committee
Murfreesboro, TN, Enjoy family visits!
Destin, Florida
Worship at Destin First Presbyterian Church; meet with the Rev. Stephen Yates and worship committee
Enjoy family visits!
Harrisonburg, VA - Music and Bible Conference, Massanetta Springs Conference Center
Worship at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg; meet with the Rev. Ann Reed Held and worship committee
Possible additional travel at several different times, based on Aaron’s transfer to Captain’s Advanced Course and/or other factors (to be determined)
Peace,
Linda
