What is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical is a time away from ordinary work and duties for renewal. The root is from the word “Sabbath”, a period of rest after a time of labor. Unitarian Universalist congregations frequently grant their ministers a sabbatical period in recognition of the intense nature of their work. The result of a sabbatical is meant to be restoration of the ministers’ energy, new directions of thought and outlook, as well as growth and learning.
In the Congregation’s Letter of Agreement with the Minister it states, “The Minister may use sabbatical leave for study, education, writing, meditation, and other forms of professional, religious, spiritual, or personal growth.” Sabbatical leave accrues at the rate of one month per year of service, with leave to be taken after four but before seven years of service.
Rev. Sean has served RVUUF for eight full years. Those years included two full years during the pandemic. The time for a sabbatical is here.
When is the Sabbatical?
Rev. Sean will be taking six months of sabbatical leave during the 2025 – 2026 program year. The Sabbatical is divided into two parts to ease the impact on the congregation and allow lay leaders a break in December.
Rev. Sean was with us for the months of August and September. He is on sabbatical in October and November and returns to us for the month of December. January through April will be sabbatical months, with Rev. Sean returning on May 1, 2026.
What Will Happen on Sunday Mornings?
A Sabbatical Task Force is in place to help create Sunday morning services while Rev. Sean is away. Planned services include:
October 5, 2026 – Merak Milligan
Reflections in Seaglass
October 12, 2025
The Sabbatical Task Force
October 19, 2025 – Music Service
Finding Your Voice
October 26, 2025 – Donna Barrett
Joys & Sorrows
November 2, 2025 – Alan Hersh
Alma Rose, speaker
November 9, 2025 – Wendy Eppinger
Ashland Culture of Peace
November 16, 2025 – Lois Pettinger
Panel discussion on Manifestation
November 23, 2025 – Julie Crooks
Attitude of Gratitude
November 30, 2025 – Alex Lukacs
Coming to America
Who Do I Call for Pastoral Care?
If you have or know someone who has a need for pastoral care during the sabbatical, please contact our Caring Team chair Lori Nitchals to get in touch with the Caring Team.
Rev. Daniel Owens, chaplain and member of RVUUF will be on call for Pastoral emergencies. Please alert Lori and the Caring Team so they can contact Daniel.
What if I Have Other Questions?
During the Sabbatical, Rev. Sean is available only for extreme emergencies. Only the President, Caring Team chair, and on-call Chaplain may contact him about RVUUF business.
You may contact RVUUF President Donna Barrett for help getting answers to other questions or to find out more about what is happening at RVUUF. She will also be able to approve distributions from the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.