by Dawn Star Sarahs-Borchelt, Director of Learning & Family Ministries
On April 1, I begin a three-month sabbatical. What this means for me is that I’ll be “exploring themes of rest, building resilience and sustainability, and creating systems for community survival through personal reflection and exploration, study with colleagues, and practical engagement in my home and family.” (That’s a quote from my proposal to the Board when they approved this sabbatical.) But what will I actually be doing? Well, I am not planning any major trips or big projects, but more of a process of unfolding and allowing space to see what I have time and energy for around those themes in the course of 90 days. It feels like a lot of time and it also feels like a very short period of time. I will be able to tell you a lot more about how it went when I come back in July!
On April 1, YOU also, as a congregation, begin a three-month sabbatical. Someone asked me recently, “What will we ever do without you?” which is flattering, of course, but actually, you do a LOT all the time and most of my contributions are little tweaks to make things work better or advanced planning to have things set up for success. Along with Faith Development Program Assistant Anaiah Cupe and the two faith development teams and the rest of the staff, I’ve been working hard to have things set up for success. Some things will fall and some things will not happen as planned. It will be a learning experience! My goal is to leave things as well prepared as possible so that these are learning experiences rather than catastrophes!
Some practical things to know/share with your kids if they aren’t reading this:
- You won’t see me here at church for those three months. But I am coming back! I plan to be back at church regularly starting July 1. I will miss you and hold you all in my heart.
- On Sunday mornings, Anaiah Cupe (Faith Development Program Assistant) will be the go-to person for help with programs for children and youth whether you are a teacher, helper, kid, or parent.
- Generally, whoever the worship leader for the day is will share a Time for All Ages each Sunday (unless they ask someone else to do it).
- If we are friends on social media, you probably won’t see me there for these three months either. I still like you, just holding good boundaries!
- Kelly Nastasi will return as a summer faith development leader (and we are looking to add a middle & high school summer leader too!)
- Sue Compton (chair of the Adult Faith Development team) will be the point of contact for support with small group ministry.
- If you’re concerned about something else that I haven’t covered here, you have a week left to ask me about it—or reach out to Anaiah, Mia Carpiniello, or Margot Wert (chairs of the Children & Youth Faith Development team), Sue, or any member of our truly fantastic staff team for support.
In love,
Dawn Star