I am sure you have many questions concerning our upcoming sabbatical!  Please look at the last article in today's e-pistle which outlines details of the sabbatical, and feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

A parish's sabbatical is meant to enrich the spiritual life not just of the clergy person but of the whole parish.  During my time away, leadership will come from Senior Warden Bob Coulombe and the lay members of our parish community working together with Rev. Jo-Ann.  During this time our 2016 stewardship campaign will be designed and launched, and plans will be set in motion for our Visioning Day in the fall. Other initiatives may arise as we stay open to the Spirit's leading.

As you know, the major theme of my sabbatical is "Reconciliation."  It also continues to be our theme at St. Stephen's this year.  The theme of Reconciliation shaped our Advent Quiet Day on "Compassion," and was the theme of both our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening Lenten adult education offerings.

While I am away I invite you to join me in reading Bishop Desmond Tutu's seminal book No Future Without Forgiveness.  It chronicles the remarkable events of the rebuilding of South Africa after the abolition of apartheid.  A choice could have been made for retribution and revenge; instead under the leadership of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu the country chose the course of truth and reconciliation.  We too are faced with such choices in our personal and communal lives.

I will include my reflections on this book in the blog I will be posting during my time away and will look forward to reading your thoughts and comments.