Ministers and Faith Development Directors accrue sabbatical time for every year they serve a congregation, and I have some building up, so starting next Monday, I will be away for four weeks, through May 5. During that time, we will have some great preachers in the pulpit and pastoral care will be covered by our pastoral care team with Rev. Jami Yandle available in case of emergency. If you have a question for the Executive Committee, it can be sent to ExecutiveComm@LiveOakUU.org, for worship, Verger@LiveOakUU.org.

So what will I be doing on this mini-sabbatical? One item is work for our larger movement, as I’ve been invited to be the theme speaker for the European UU Network’s Spring Retreat in Saarbrücken, Germany. After that, Tom and I are going to spend 5 days in Paris. Neither of us has been before, and we’re really looking forward to exploring the city.

The rest of my time will be spent finishing up one paper for my Doctor of Ministry degree and preparing for my June class, getting some rest, and … well, grieving. As many of you know, my sister died in April 2024, and my mother in April 2025. (I have grimly joked that April is on my bad list.) As I so often tell others, they call it “grief work” because it is work, and I know I need to attend to it.

I look forward to returning in May a little more centered, and with loads of stories to draw from. I will not be checking email while I’m gone, so please hold any emails meant only for me until I return. Thank you!