Thoughts from the St. Paul Staff

Dear St. Paul friends,

As we enter into 2010 I begin my 7th year at St. Paul! My 7th year is quickly becoming one of deepening relationships as well increasing energy and activity within our congregation. It also signals something that is new for me, my sabbatical.

My covenant contract with St. Paul allows me to accumulate 2 weeks for each year worked, which in turn must then be used every 7th year for sabbatical leave. I have been working with the Personnel Board of Council these past few months to plan for my sabbatical, and my plans are very quickly nearing completion. My sabbatical will begin on Monday, April 19. I chose to begin at that time because it will allow me to be with at St. Paul for the entire season of Lent, celebrate Easter, and complete the program year for our Wednesday line-up of programs. From that point on I will utilize my 12 weeks of sabbatical leave as well as my 4 weeks of vacation for 2010. I will return to my position at St. Paul on Monday, August 9.

I intend for the time devoted to my sabbatical to be very intentional and structured. I do my best when I have a solid framework from which to work and establish clear deadlines and goals. My sabbatical will be composed of 5 component parts:

1) Directed Study. I have arranged to work with two professors at Eden Seminary (Eden President Dr. David Greenhaw and Assistant Professor of Christian Education Leah Gunning Francis) who will meet with me on a total of 5 different occasions to discuss my reading and reflect on all of my work related to item #3 below..
2) Reading. I am assembling a long list of professional books to complete while on sabbatical.
3) Writing related to my particular study focus. My targeted focus will be what is now the fastest growing segment among people of faith – those who claim to be "spiritual, but not religious". Much work has been done on this group in recent years. I intend to examine some of this work, do a lot of interacting with folks who fall into this category, and specifically address the implications of all of this for the church in general and St. Paul in particular.
4) Personal Writing. I may re-visit a novel I began some years ago or simply journal my sabbatical experience..
5) Rest. I also plan to golf, regularly bike-ride with my wife, Sandy, and generally re-acquaint myself with my humanity.

I look forward to my sabbatical, the discoveries and renewal it will surely bring, and my continued work within the wonderful folks at St. Paul.

Blessings and peace,
Pastor Drew