​The sabbatical is several Sabbaths put together; it’s a commandment, it’s a gift,
and it opens the door for deep soul work and transformation.
 
“Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God. You have six days to labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Shabbat for YHVH your God.” Torah
​What is the purpose of a Sabbatical?
               
It is ‘re-energizing that lasts more than a day”.  It is about the spirit and soul being refreshed, renewed, and redirected.

​It’s a time to be in solitude, silent and listening to God, establishing breathing room from the business of life so that God can speak into the mind, soul, and renewal of the heart.

​​Covenant has a long-standing policy that promote Sabbaticals for their pastors to show grace and understanding.  The sabbatical allows restoration to balance and purpose to both personal and ministry life.
 
“Sabbatical should also be seen as holy – that is, time set apart for the same holy purpose of allowing the soil of our souls to lie fallow and to experience new life that dormancy eventually produces.”
                                                                                                                                                                      -Ruth Haley Barton

​Pastor Michelle's Sabbatical Timeline:
Vacation time:  June 18th -July 31st
Sabbatical:   August 1st- January 3rd
Welcome Back:   * January 5th (Lord’s Supper)

Benefits of the Sabbatical?

​ 
The calling to become a pastor brings with it a plethora of demands and expectations that are certainly emotionally and spiritually draining.
 
Ministry is never finished, and a tired and worn-out pastor cannot live into kingdom values. There is a certain ‘heaviness of the call’ that often is not balanced with time for family, friends, hobbies, and self.

​Pastor Michelle will:
 
  • Grow in self-awareness as her personal relationship with God deepens.
  • Find delight and cultivate wonder in rest and play.
  • Have time to decompress from the pressures of ministry.
  • Deepen spiritual practices and attend to the inner life with God.
  • Find a new commitment to her calling.
  • Gain a greater confidence in God’s goodness and provision.
 
 
A time for God to reveal….

Throughout the Sabbatical, Pastor Michelle will be resting, reflecting, and refocusing through reading, travel, writing, and a new skill or two!
 
Professional development: study, research and writing dissertation and travel to Western Theological Seminary.
 
Personal development: Personal retreat and soul care, Spiritual Direction, connecting with a pastor mentor, read “Journeying Toward Renewal” by Melissa Bane, journalling…and hopefully some camping in between. Pastor Michelle and Dave hope to take a spiritual retreat together by walking part of the Camino de Santiago.

What's in it for us?

​ 
We will find a new appreciation for our pastor!
 
We will gain new understanding of how well a church body can function as a whole.
 
‘Congregants will often lessen their dependence on the pastor.’
 
The community and dynamics that takes years to achieve with our pastor will not be wasted but rather renewed with a period of ‘shabbat’.
 
We will find a refreshed pastor upon her return!
 
How can we support Pastor Michelle?
Council has committed to keep communication open by giving, as well as receiving, monthly updates. Updates will be short and sweet as we are mindful of Pastor Michelle’s need to retreat, but also to keep in touch.
 
Prayer for our pastor is the most wonderful way you could support her!
 
A card of encouragement will always be appreciated.

Your Sabbatical Team

 - 
​✓Connecting to Congregation: Derk VanEerden - [email protected]
 
Council and congregational communication to Pastor Michelle will be directed to Derk as liaison.  Contact your Elder or Derk if you need to reach out to the pastor.   
*She will not be taking emails or texts!
 
✓Pastoral Care and Staff Care: Carrie Reinsma - [email protected]
 
Special circumstances and pastoral care issues will be directed to Carrie.  Access to our cohort pastors is available if needed for baptisms, funerals, and special circumstances.
Carrie will also be connecting with staff on a regular basis.
 
✓Preaching and Worship: Ed Doornenbal - [email protected]
 
Ed has been working diligently creating a preaching schedule among his many other duties.  *Please direct all comments and suggestions regarding worship to the Elder chair, Carrie. - [email protected]
​
Please be aware that Pastor Michelle will be spending time in her church office working on her doctorate.  Please respect her valuable Sabbatical time and refrain from engaging her in a pastoral role.
She is still officially OFF DUTY.