Roots & Wings

A Message from the Minister About Her Sabbatical

Are you ready for renewal?  The time has come!  My sabbatical will run from July through October of 2025. I will return to the pulpit on November 1, and ease my way back into congregational life thereafter.

Hopefully, you have heard the messages from the Sabbatical Team over the past year, about the purpose of a sabbatical, and the coverage that is in place to support the church during this period. Big thanks to that team, the Worship Arts Team, the Board of Trustees, our great staff, and all the other folks who are making possible this time of revitalization.

Need a refresh on the what, why, and how of clergy sabbaticals?

• Check out the Sabbatical page of this web site, which includes details on who will lead during sabbatical, and contact information for various ministries.

• Come to Brunch Church in the Common Room on July 6, where the Sabbatical Team will be talking about coverage and doing a live Q&A.

• You can listen to my two sermons speaking to the sabbatical, and one or more messages from the Sabbatical Team, on a Sabbatical Playlist on YouTube.

• Want to dig deeper?  See previous posts on Why A Sabbatical and Sabbatical Q&A. You can also check out my full Sabbatical Manifesto, which UUA staff thought would be helpful to other congregations, and posted online in full on the UU LeaderLab.

If you are wondering what I’ll be doing during this time, I talk about that in the June 29 sermon on “Roots and Wings.”  Here’s a visual snapshot of what I have in mind:

That said, getting “off the clock” and listening to my body, my spirit, and Spirit – is kinda the point of this time. So there is a certain fluidity built in.

You’ll hear from me after I return about what actually happened. 😊  Most importantly, I will be refreshed and inspired for the next phase of our shared ministry together – and I hope you will too!  We have good things planned for the congregation during this time, so it should be a fruitful period for all.

WHAT ABOUT BOUNDARIES?  I’m glad you asked. 

You may wonder things like, what if you bump into me at Baker’s, or at The Bookworm, or at the Bellevue Little Theatre?  If we cross paths in person while I am on sabbatical, please do not feel shy about saying hello. I’ll be glad to say hi and have brief conversation. I do not want to get drawn into current church business, of course, or end up being “on” as the minister. But we can warmly greet each other.

Likewise you may wonder about social media. I’m not sure how much I will be on social media during this time (I am on Facebook, Bluesky and LinkedIn). If you are “friends” with me, and you see something I post, know that if you are seeing it on FB, I decided to include my First UU list in that post. And it’s okay to comment, as long as you follow the same guidelines as before – don’t get into church business, or request pastoral care. And don’t private message me. If you are interested in writing I may do over sabbatical, feel free to read posts to either of my blogs. (You can find them both at www.shariwoodbury.com.)

Please note, I will not receive any emails to church email addresses during this time. Any email that is sent, will not be there in my inbox when I return. It will instantly go poof. So no point in emailing me during the sabbatical. Likewise, do not call or text me on my church cell. My Google voice line for church will be switched off.

If there is any kind of real emergency at the church, leaders know how to reach me. Otherwise, we’ll observe this time apart for our mutual benefit. You can remember who you are as a community without me, and I can remember who I am as a person when I am not wearing “the mantle of ministry” with you.

Then when we come back together after the sabbatical, the reunion will be all the sweeter. Renewed, we will “rise green” to begin the next phase of our shared ministry, together.

Until then,

Rev. Shari Woodbury