I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to take my first sabbatical in February.  I am now in my eighteenth year of ministry – gulp – and this is my first sabbatical due to the nature of my other ministries.  My overwhelming feeling is of gratitude to everyone at UUFRC for allowing this to happen.  From our Board and Finance committee who have funded the ministerial reserve to allow the hiring of a sabbatical minister to the extra work for our Worship Committee in leading our worship services and the extra work our staff will take on.  I am truly grateful to everyone that allows this to happen.  Thank you to all of you.

Many religions including Unitarian Universalism encourage congregations to provide long term ministers the opportunity for a sabbatical after five years, consisting of one month off for every year served in the congregation.  The purpose of the sabbatical is  to give the minister time and space for emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.  

Being a minister takes a great deal of emotional energy placing many demands on our time.  There seems rarely time to step back and look at the big picture trends in our culture and our congregation.  Therefore one of my hopes for my sabbatical is to take time to explore what does ministry require of me at this point of time in our situation here in the U.S.  This is a particularly important time to deeply reflect on my ministry here at UUFRC as we seem to be at a confluence of historical changes in our world, a rise of totalitarianism here in the U.S. and a significant reshaping of religious life.  

I imagine many of us have been considering what these changes mean to us both on a personal level and our larger cultural context.  While I am deeply concerned about many of the changes in our country, especially the actions of our Federal government, I am also finding hope in the many actions occurring at the grassroots level throughout our country and the world.  

We are fortunate here at UUFRC that our religious community is in a very healthy situation with a vibrant energy, steady growth including our children programs, and strong leadership both lay and staff.  We have a clear sense of who we are and how we wish to live our values as we take action resisting injustice and pushing for positive change. 

Vitally, we also have one another which at this time of an epidemic of loneliness is so important. We have others to share the burdens and challenges of life.  For anyone struggling at this time please reach out to our Pastoral Care team at pastoralcare@uufrc.org or someone else within our community you feel connected to.  For those of us concerned about someone in our community then please drop them a note, make a phone call or arrange to meet.  I think this is a good time to risk over communicating with one another.  It is always good to be thought of by others.

I will miss the UUFRC community during my sabbatical and I do mean that in a positive way since I have felt very cared for, respected and deeply appreciated since arriving here in 2020.  We cannot just switch off our love, our care and our deep concern for one another; therefore,  I will be thinking of you during my time away – some of the time.   I will be back in August energized and excited about our path forward as a community.  I move into my sabbatical knowing that our religious community is in good hands with our strong lay leadership, excellent staff and our former intern Mary Ellen Morgan being our sabbatical minister with a focus on our worship services. 

While the chance for reflection is part of my sabbatical, I do look forward to having more time for my family  and friends including some foreign travel with my partner Natalie and visiting my brother Alastair in London who continues his long term struggle with myeloma. I am also looking forward to having more time with my close friends.  As I age, I realize the profound value of friendships and relationships both new and long term.  I have worked or been in full time study since I was 16 years old so this time for my own discernment and connection is an incredible gift and deeply appreciated by me. Thank you! 

In Love, Gratitude and Deep Appreciation,

                               Rev. Brian