After seven years of ministry with UU Avl, I will be embarking on a three-month
sabbatical. I’ve been putting it off for a while. There was Rev. Ward’s retirement, the
arrival of an interim minister, COVID, and welcoming a new minister. This year it could
have been “the world is on fire!” I thought , “How can I take a sabbatical?” And then I
thought of the importance of rest after seven years of an engaging, joyful, productive,
and at times, challenging ministry with this Beloved Community. We have done good
work together in Faith Formation and Justice Ministry and, spoiler alert, there is so
much more to do to meet the challenges ahead of us! However, as Wayne Muller writes
in “Sabbath; Finding Rest and Delight in Our Busy Lives”
“Sabbath is not dependent upon our readiness to stop. We do not stop when we
are finished…Sabbath dissolves the artificial urgency of our days, because it
liberates us from the need to be finished.”
My ministry with you is not finished, but it is time for rest, reflection and rededication of
my energies. I imagine my sabbatical as time to listen to the longings of my soul, time
for mindfulness and healing practices, time to witness the beauty of places and people I
will encounter on my sabbatical journey without having a to do list or urgent deadlines.
I’ve been preparing for this sabbatical by reading and reflecting on the art of pilgrimage.
One journey I will be making is a walk on the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago
de Compostela. I look forward to days of walking with all I need on my back
accompanied by my beloved partner, Steve, and to meeting fellow pilgrims along the
way. The thought of focusing on the trail, at times along the shore, and being with my
thoughts and open to serendipity is exciting. It will allow me to go inward to revisit my
priorities, explore my longings and fears as well as experience the joy of engaging in a
different way with the world. It will prepare me to return to our community re-energized
and rested, ready to support the amazing ministry that is happening in this community.
You can be sure to hear a sermon from me about my journeys physical and existential
when I return. I also intend to spend time with friends and family, and (no surprise) I
have a stack of books I want to read during this time.
My sabbatical will begin March 17, so I will still be here for a while. I am finalizing my
sabbatical plan to make sure my areas of responsibility are all covered. I look forward to
returning June 17 ready to resume our work together.
With love & gratitude,
Rev. Claudia Jiménez, Minister of Faith Formation