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Posting #1
PASTOR
PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Posting #2
September 12 – October 31, 2011
A key component of the first segment of Rev. Jean’s Sabbatical, is set. Rev. Jean will spend four days on the Isle of Iona. On this Isle is located Iona Abbey. One of Scotland's most historic and venerated sites, lona Abbey is a celebrated Christian center and the burial place of early Scottish kings. The Abbey and Nunnery grounds house one of the most comprehensive collections of Christian carved stones in Scotland, ranging in age from 600AD to the 1600s.
Restoration of the Abbey buildings began in 1938 when Rev George F MacLeod established the Iona Community. The scheme was designed to unite craftsmen and trainee ministers in the task of renovating the historic site. Experiencing the physical renewal of the Abbey was intended to prepare the young ministers to achieve spiritual renewal when they returned to their inner city parishes. The Abbey restoration was completed in 1965.
The Iona Community, a Christian ecumenical community working for peace, social justice, rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship, have continued daily worship in the Abbey Church. Worship is held daily at 9am and 9 pm with a 2pm Prayer service for justice, peace and creation. Many people who come to Iona return again - and again. George MacLeod described Iona as a "thin place" - only a tissue paper separating the material from the spiritual. To spend some time in such a historic and inspiring setting is to be open to challenge and the exploration of new horizons.
In addition to the worships and prayer services, Rev. Jean will read, explore the Isle and be open to the “thin place” inviting the Spirit to challenge and inspire her.
Other aspects are still in the planning stages and will be outlined in future articles. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WILLIAMS BAY UCC SABBATICAL September 12 – October 31, 2011
The Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (PPR), the Council and the Chairs of the Committees are also working on the plans for the time Rev. Jean is on Sabbatical. Rev. Jean encouraged each Committee to develop a monthly calendar of issues and events for which the committee is responsible. These are being gathered and compiled into one calendar and will be available soon.
The individual calendars will be used by the Committees to identify how things will be handled during Rev. Jean’s time away. Each Committee will identify what will happen, how it will take place and who will follow it through. By identifying this early we have Rev. Jean’s experience to offer us advice and highlight issues that need to be taken into consideration.
Within the next 4-6 weeks the PPR will begin securing and interviewing possible candidates to fill our pulpit, on a part time basis of 12-15hr per week, for the 6 weeks of the Sabbatical. We are looking for someone who currently has standing in the United Church of Christ and experience in interims and/or sabbatical supply. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Posting #3
The Pastor/Parish Relations Committee is in the process of interviewing
candidates for the position of Sabbatical Supply Minister. The announcement
of the Sabbatical Supply Minister will be made via a letter to each
household as soon as the process is completed. The PPR is also working on a
Sabbatical Reference Book that will list all the important information,
people and phone numbers needed during Rev. Jean’s time away. The Reference
Book will be available at church, mailed to each household and found on the
church website – www.uccwb.org |
