Friday, March 24, 2023
A key component for clergy health and vitality is found in the occasional extended leave from local ministry known as Sabbatical, a time of sabbath rest, spiritual renewal, and learning. The Sabbatical is part of the ministry agreement made with Fr. Tom at the time of his call to ministry with us. Recently, our Vestry approved a Sabbatical for Fr. Tom to take place over the summer of 2023.
Fr. Tom is connecting this time apart with the Anam Cara: a concept derived from the Gaelic language to express the Celtic spiritual notion of the “soul friend.” According to John O’Donohue (d. 2008), the noted Irish poet, philosopher and scholar, the anam cara is “…a person to whom you could reveal the hidden intimacies of your life.” The soul friend may be the teacher, spiritual guide, or companion who helps you travel the road of lived experience in wholeness and hopefulness. And the anam cara may well be the friend, spouse, and mentor to whom one attributes major influence upon one’s own character, beliefs, understandings, and religious faith.
Having now marked nearly eight years’ ministry with St. Stephen’s Church, over 25 years in ordained ministry, and nearing the 60th anniversary of his birth, Fr. Tom proposes to use a significant portion of sabbatical respite for the renewal of body and spirit through engaging in a journey to connect with the anam cara, the “soul friends,” who have helped shape his life and experiences in faith over the years. Along the way, he will spend time with spiritual mentors, old friends, and family. And he will spend time with his nearest and dearest soul friend, Britton.
During our time apart from Fr. Tom, the Rev. Christy Stang will serve as priest in-charge with St. Stephen’s Church, working closely with the Wardens and Vestry to provide the pastoral ministries of the church, teaching, and preaching and caring for the faith community all along the way. She will have the support of clergy colleagues and church leaders throughout the sabbatical period.
Of the sabbatical, Fr. Tom writes:
“It seems entirely possible to me that one’s anam cara most certainly can consist not only of special individuals but of that special community with whom one shares the life of faith and spirit. While I propose to go to various places to connect with those ‘soul friends’ who have shaped my life and ministry over the past 60 years, I carry with me the connections, joys, and hopes of the anam cara of this faith community of St. Stephen’s Church from which I go out and to which I will return. I thank you for this privilege and blessing of time apart to renew in body and spirit for the work God has in store for us together in the years to come.”
Fr. Tom will be on Sabbatical from June 1st through September 30th, returning in time for the annual service of the Blessing of the Animals. Over the summertime, he will share occasional communications with the Church about his journeys and experiences.
