Dear Epiphany,
This week, I will embark upon a once in a lifetime experience. From June 8 until Labor Day, I will be on sabbatical while enjoying the tremendous benefits of a Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Grant. Clergy of any denominational background are eligible to receive this highly competitive grant once in their career. I am thankful for the opportunity this grant provides.
This time away from parish ministry marks my first significant break since graduating from seminary 20 years ago. As I phrased it in my grant application, it is the intermission in a 40-year priesthood. I am in my mid-40s with teenage children, and the timing is just perfect for a tremendous adventure.
The grant posed a single question: “What makes your heart sing?” My immediate thought was ‘rest and adventure.’ I have always considered myself a mystic on the move. As an athlete and avid outdoorsperson, I am most at peace when I am hiking in the mountains, exploring a new city or hiking trail, or quietly observing people going about their daily lives. I love change, and I crave new experiences. I also recognize that I need to carve out intentional time and space for rest, deep rest, divine rest, as that is a critical component of the spiritual journey.
The adventure begins in a few days when Joel and I climb Mt. Baker. Later this summer, our whole family leaves for an epic journey across Europe. This will be the first time our family has traveled together outside the US (and no! Canada doesn’t count!). We will start in Barcelona. After that, we look forward to spending a couple of weeks hiking in the Swiss Alps. From there, we continue on to Sweden and Finland, visiting long-time family friends. The rest of the summer will be spent hiking and spending time with friends in the amazing PNW.
Rest assured, we have made our Capital Campaign pledge before leaving and look forward to celebrating the successful completion of this campaign when we return for the Fall Kick Off Celebration on September 13. Have a wonderful summer and I’ll see you in September.
Kate +