Mtr. Emily’s Last Note before Sabbatical
If your children don’t yet know that I will be away, here is a little video for them letting them know that tomorrow is my last day and that I’ll be back at the end of June. (I misspeak once in the video and say “July.”) If they want to use the felt calendar by my office, you can let them know that I’ll be back on the fourth Sunday after Pentecost.
And below the video you can find some questions and answers about my time away.
When are you gone again?
My last day before sabbatical is Sunday, March 22nd. I will return to celebrate the Eucharist on June 21st, and then will be doing Continuing Education at the parish June 22-27. I will be back-like-normal on Sunday, June 28th.
Can we email or call you?
You can, but I won’t be checking or responding to my emails or voicemails from parishioners. This is because for a sabbatical to be practical (for both the staff person away and for the remaining staff), the person on sabbatical really needs to stop working.
What if something happens?
Rev. Megan will contact me if there is any death or any other critical event I need to know about!
What about social media?
You are very welcome to continue following me on social media (Instagram and Facebook) where I will be sharing some of what I’m up to! I won’t be responding to messages from parishioners there, because of the sabbatical.
But I thought you said you might be around the building sometime?
Yes, I might be sneaking in now and then because so many of my books are here—you can read more in my February note.
What will you be doing on sabbatical?
All sorts of things! Finishing an academic article, traveling to see family and friends, and just puttering around. I will mostly be at home.
That is not a satisfying answer.
I will be rereading (again) the entire Murderbot series by Martha Wells, which I highly recommend; I will be researching the history behind black becoming the clothing color associated with priests; I will be doing a deep dive into children’s Bible illustrations, and into the contemporary children’s Bibles’ present the connection between the Old and New Testaments; I will be rereading every historical romance written by Georgette Heyer (and you can ask Sandy A. for her recommendations, because she likes them too!); I will be learning to use some audio recording equipment in the hopes of recording some fun interviews; I will be practicing my hand-lettering skills; I will be having fun conversations with colleagues about how to teach about baptism and the Eucharist; I will be eating ice cream at Mr. Frosty’s on the Common as soon as it opens; I will be going to going to church services every week at least once if not more, including my friends’ churches; I will be going to museums and leaning in super close to look at all the details; I will be vacuuming under the couch for the first time in six years (maybe, if I get bored); I will be teaching myself how to sew church banners; and I will be giving more time to my neighborhood volunteer gig, the Romero Community at the Allston Abbey.
Who will be filling in for you while you’re away?
We have lined up some lovely guest preachers for my sabbatical! I’m especially excited for Good Friday, when two of my dear friends and colleagues will be here—Allison Bird Treacy will be leading the Stations of the Cross, and the Rev. Silas Kotnour will be preaching at the evening service. And I’m excited for you to get to hear and meet Brother Lain, SSJE, who will be preaching on May 10. The brothers at SSJE are some of Omar’s and my favorite preachers.
Is Omar also taking three months off?
No, he doesn’t have that kind of a job! But we will both enjoy having more time together. In particular, having two days off together each week is going to be a real luxury.
Are you sure you’re going to come back?
Yes! I’m still committed to strengthening what we offer for children and youth, and I’m really excited about all the work our Formation VPG has done for our strategic planning. I feel hopeful for what this little parish is, and what it’s becoming!