Sabbatical Update

Dear Friends,

As most of you know, the Vestry and I have been excitedly working toward a plan for me to take a sabbatical this summer. But, as most of you also know, the events of the past six weeks have turned my world a little upside down.

Because of all that, my family and I have struggled with how and whether we should alter our plans for the coming summer. After much prayer and thought and conversation—with one another, with the staff, with our Sr. Warden, and with our Bishop—I have decided that this summer is not a good time for me to be on sabbatical. Our plan will be, instead, to postpone the sabbatical for one year.

This will allow for a few things. First, it will allow my time off this summer to be spent with my wider family, which seems especially important to me right now. It will also give me more time with you all as we continue to navigate this stage of the pandemic together. My sense is that we are regaining and rebuilding momentum every week and an ill-timed sabbatical might hurt that growth and renewal.

All things considered, I believe this is the right decision at this time. It's also a sad one. Two years of pandemic ministry is weighing heavily on me. I need to pay attention to that feeling. So, in consultation with our Sr. Warden, I do plan to take an additional vacation week this summer, and we will plan to have an on-call priest in place for any pastoral emergencies. More communication on that as the time approaches.

I continue to be so grateful to this community as my family and I weather these days of grief. Your prayers and the way you all have reached out and cared for us has meant so much to us.

God Bless,
Fr. Quinn+