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 CLERGY SABBATICALS - A Planning Guide |
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Sources of Information
Grant sources
Programs or informal arrangements
Sabbatical Retreat Options
- Sources of Information
A. Richard Bullock and Richard J. Bruesehoff. Clergy Renewal:
The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning. Alban Institute.
$10.95. 1-800-486-1318, ext. 244
Why You Should Give Your Pastor a Sabbatical, a video
featuring Roy Oswald. Two 25-minute segments, with leader guide.
ISBN 1-56699-247-8, videotape. Order from the Alban Institute
(1-800-486-1318, ext. 244), No. AL238 (video). Introductory
price of $29.00.
Roy M. Oswald. Clergy Self-Care: Finding a Balance for Effective
Ministry. Alban Institute. No. AL125. $18.25. To order,
call 1-800-486-1318, ext. 244.
Changing the Rhythm of Parish Ministry: Sabbatical Policy
Insights, a 13-minute video produced by the Mutual Ministry
Committee of Atonement Lutheran Church, Muskego, WI in collaboration
with the ELCA Division for Ministry. Cost: $8.00 (includes shipping
and handling). Ordering: Sabbatical Video, P.O. Box 492, Muskego,
WI 53150-0492; include check made out to "Sabbatical Video."
Sabbatical Programs for Priests, Religious and Formation
Ministers (booklet and CD-ROM). National Organization for
Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy. E-mail contact:
moises@nocercc.org Lists
45 programs (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Israel); not necessarily
for Roman Catholic clergy only.
Sabbatical Leave: Suggestions for Local Churches and Their
Pastors. United Church of Christ Office for Church Life
and Leadership. Cleveland, OH: 1998. Order: 1-800-325-7061 or
1-800-537-3394. Prepared in conjunction with the Center for
Leadership and Ministry of the Division for Homeland Ministries
of the Christian Church.
Study, Renewal and Service Leaves for Pastors. A guide
available on-line at www.mennonitechurch.ca/leadership/studyleaves/index.html
Congregations: The Alban Journal. Four articles on sabbaticals
focusing on pastors’ experiences of sabbaticals in the
July/August 2000 issue; two more in the July/August 1995 issue.
The latter includes an article by L. Dale Richesin on "How Can
a Small Church Afford a Sabbatical?"
Eugene Peterson. The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the
Art of Spiritual Direction (Word, 1989). See "Desert and
Harvest: A Sabbatical Story."
Cohen, Helen L. and David C. Pohl. Handbook for Sabbatical
Leaves for Ministers and Congregations. Center Committee
and Department of Ministry. Unitarian Universalist Association,
1992. General information number: 617-742-2100.
Dlugozima, Hope, James Scott, and David Sharp. Six Months
Off: How to Plan, Negotiate, and Take the Break You Need Without
Burning Bridges or Going Broke. Henry Holt, 1996.
This book is not focused specifically on clergy sabbaticals.
- Grant sources
Bush Foundation
The Bush Foundation in St. Paul has a "Leadership Fellows Program"
which provides funding to support the educational goals of people
so that they can serve more effectively as as leaders in their
communities and professions. Pastors are among those eligible.
The fellowships are for periods from two to eighteen months,
and persons aged 28 to 55. For more information, check their
website at www.bushfoundation.org/index2.htm,
or request information by e-mail (info@bushfoundation.org)
or telephone (651-227-0891). Deadline for applications: November
(check with them for the exact date for each year).
CrossCurrents Research Colloquium
The Coolidge Fellows program awards grants for one-month study
programs at a cluster of New York City schools: Union Theological
Seminary, Auburn, Jewish Theological Seminary, Columbia University,
Teachers College. The focus is on cross-cultural learning. Participants
pay a $125 registration fee and travel; the fellowship takes
care of other costs. There is a March 1 deadline. Contact: CrossCurrents,
29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, NY 10805. Requires a research
or writing project. Website: www.aril.org/colloquium.html
Harvard Divinity School 617-496-2943
Ask about the Merrill Fellowship Program, which provides tuition
and a stipend of $2,200 to cover expenses of room and board.
Four sabbatical fellowships offered each term. Recipients may
study at Harvard or other affiliated schools of the Boston Theological
Institute.
Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program
1-317-916-7302 Clergyrenewal@yahoo.com
A limited number of grants of up to $30,000 each to Christian
congregations and pastors with an M.Div. Application by August
1 (but check this). Up to $10,000 may be used by the congregation
to fulfill pastoral functions during the pastor’s absence;
the rest is for the pastor’s sabbatical. Obviously competitive.
Louisville Institute 502-992-5431 info@louisville-institute.org
The Louisville Institute (funded by Lilly Endowment) offers
Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders to provide pastoral leaders
with sustained periods of time for reflective engagement with
their life and work and issues related to contemporary religious
leadership. Up to 60 grants of $10,000 or $15,000 for sabbaticals
of eight or twelve weeks respectively will be awarded. Deadline
for applications is September 15.
Pastor-Theologian Program 609-683-4797
This is not really a sabbatical program, but it is a program
of extended study (three years), funded by the Lilly Endowment
and centered at Princeton. A May 1 deadline. This is a quite
demanding program, but very good. If you wish to visit with
someone in the program, contact Pastor Bob Dahlen, Goodridge,
MN (218-378-4191). They also have a highly selective pastor-in-residence
program (one per year, by invitation!). Their website is www.ctinquiry.org.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a similar program of its
own, also funded by the Lilly Endowment (for information, call
1-888-728-7228, ext. 5732).
Benjamin N. Duke Fellowships
To inquire about these fellowships for clergy sabbaticals at
Duke Divinity School, call Janice Virtue at 919-660-3448 or
send an e-mail to info@mail.duke.edu.
The Proctor Scholarship
The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA has a scholarship
for a one-semester residence for clergy and laity. Covers tuition,
a single room, and 15 meals per week. Can include courses as
well as individual study. For information, send e-mail to amacione@epoisdivschool.org
Local sources:
Check with your judicatory for funding sources. Some have funds
for this purpose; e.g. the Southeastern Minnesota Synod ELCA
has had such a fund for some years, and the Wisconsin Conference
UCC is using a "Forward in Faith Campaign" to, in part, fund
sabbatical leaves for pastors in rural and smaller membership
churches. In addition, charitable organizations (for Lutherans,
local branches of Lutheran Brotherhood and AAL) may also be
able to supply such funds.
- Programs
or informal arrangements
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX
512-472-6736
Independent study program; on-campus stays available.
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL 1-773-753-5359
Hesburgh Center for Continuing Formation in Ministry
A 17-week program
Centre for Psychotherapy and Emotional Bodywork, Toronto
416-928-9570
This center has a sabbatical program for women and men in ministry
called "The Ministry Journey Program." It includes "Psychotherapy
and emotional bodywork, inner life of ministry, spirituality—dreams,
myths, symbols, prayer, Biblical themes, images, discernment."
Contact Daniel McDonald, Director, Centre for Psychotherapy
and Emotional Bodywork, 145 Spadina Road, Toronto, CA M5R 2T1.
Website: www.spiritcentral.com/ministry
Center for Spiritual Development, Orange, CA 714-744-3175
"Winter sabbaticals" are offered. Contact Robert Cogswell, Center
for Spiritual Development, 434 S. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868-3907.
E-mail: center4spdev@earthlink.net
Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, CA
Sabbaticals of one week to a semester are possible here. Courses
may be audited for $300 per course. For information, call Dr.
Alda Marsh Morgan, Director of Continuing Education at 510-204-0727
or send e-mail to amorgan@cdsp.edu
The College of Preachers Readers Program, Bethesda, MD
A program for sabbaticals or other self-directed study or retreat
times for clergy and laity throughout the year. Single accommodations.
Located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral.
Address of College of Preachers: 3510 Woodley Rd. NW, Washington,
D.C. 20016. Cost: $350 per week. Contact Kim Gilliam, Director
of Operations at 202-537-6383 or send e-mail to kgilliam@cathedral.org
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL
Contact Director of Continuing Education: cristian.delarosa@northwestern.edu
Independent/directed study; design-your-own sabbaticals
The Lincoln Theological Institute for the Study of Religion
and Society at the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom)
"Enquiries are welcome for designated periods of study or sabbaticals—please
apply in writing." Write to The Administrator, Lincoln Theological
Institute, Sheffield University, 36 Wilkinson St., Sheffield.
S10 2GB. Phone: 01142226399. E-mail: Lincoln@Sheffield.ac.uk
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville,
KY dreistroffer@lpts.edu
Summer sabbatical leaves and independent study. Contact
the Division for Graduate Studies at the e-mail address given
above.
The Marshall Center for Christian Ministry, Georgetown,
KY 502-863-8004
This center, developed in 1997, will administer a program of
ministerial sabbaticals and study leaves at Regents Park College.
The center is at Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY 40324. For
information, e-mail pr@georgetowncollege.edu
A Mountain Retreat, Conifer, CO 303-838-6267 or 838-7321
Mountain Retreat offers "retreats for the renewal of ministers,
their lives and callings. Write Rev. Victor L. Hunter, Retreat
Director, or Donna R. Killen, Administrative Director, at A
Mountain Retreat, P.O. Box 1025, Conifer, CO 80433.
Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA
PSR has a Minister/Scholar in Residence Program open to ordained
ministers and religious workers in full-time ministry. Participants
may be in residence for a full semester (four months) during
Fall or Spring. Participants are expected to participate in
the life the the seminary. Only one one-bedroom apartment on
campus is available. For information, contact Eileen Weston,
Assistant to the President, at 1-800-999-0528.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA
Independent study available. Contact Mary Lee Talbot, Director
of Continuing Education at 412-363-5610, ext. 2197 or e-mail
her at mltalbot@pts.edu
Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford 00441865877409
Clergy may stay up to ten weeks and use the library at Oxford.
Contact Dr. Natalie K. Watson, Development Office, Ripon College
Cuddesdon, Oxford OX449EX or e-mail nwatson@ripon-cuddesdon.ac.uk
St. Deiniol’s Residential Library, Hawarden, North
Wales, UK
St. Deiniol’s Library, established by the estate of William
Gladstone, provides opportunities for sabbaticals, especially
involving study or research. For information, contact the Rev.
Dr. Peter J. Jagger, Warden and Chief Librarian, at deiniol.visitors@btinternet.com
and inquire about arrangements for sabbaticals for clergy.
St. George’s College, Jerusalem Registrar@stgeorges.org.il
St. George’s is an Anglican institution in East Jerusalem
which offers a variety of programs for pastors and laity, varying
from 12 days to 28 days. For up-to-date information, check their
website: www.stgeorgescollegejerusalem.org
A brochure is also available from CHARIS (218-299-3566)
or e-mail jacobson@cord.edu
St. Hans Ministry Exchange, Inc. 941-408-9096
Here’s an interesting idea: swap homes with another clergy
person for a while. This ministry is designed to facilitate
that. Run by Diane Shiell and the Rev. Dr. Dell Shiell, who
also provide (to "Subscriber Members") A Handbook for Ministry
Exchanges (22 pp.), also available on-line. They tell the
story of their experience exchanging homes with persons in Larvik,
Norway in a book, Fair Exchange: A Ministry Exchange Between
the USA and Norway. Their address: Christian Home Exchange,
246 Woodingham Trail, Venice, FL 34292. E-mail: info@christianhomeexhchange.com.
A website is available: www.christianhomeexhange.com/index.cfm
St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary, Collegeville,
MN
Sabbaticals are designed to meet the personal and ministerial
needs of the individual students. Participants can enroll in
courses for credit or audit, and participate in conferences,
lectures and other events on campus. "Special tuition rates
are available." Spiritual directors are also available. Request
the brochure, "Sabbatical: A Special Time Apart" from Mary Beth
Banken, OSB, St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary,
Collegeville, MN 56321-7288, or call 320-363-2102 or e-mail
mbanken@csbsju.edu
Saint Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Indiana 1-800-730-9910
ce@saintmeinrad.edu
Stays of one month to a year, with various options
to choose from.
Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Bethesda, MD
Shalem has instituted a 17-month, mostly non-residential program
called "Clergy Life and Leadership" program, described as "an
ecumenical program to nurture the spiritual heart and leadership
of clergy in congregations." It runs from June 2001 to Sept.
2002. Included are two one-week residences at Shalem; the rest
of the program is done in the congregation, so it is not really
a sabbatical. Total fee is $3,410. Scholarship assistance is
available. Deadline for application is March 1, 2001. For information,
call Sheila Noyes or Gigi Ross-Fowler at 301-897-7334 or e-mail
sheila@shalem.org or
gigi@shalem.org.
Shalom Prayer Center, 840 S. Main St., Mt. Angel, OR
97363 503-845-6773
Sabbaticals in a monastic setting. Spiritual direction, daily
Eucharist, classes, retreats. For men or women. Contact Jo Morton,
OSB. E-mail: shalom@open.org
Website: www.open.org/shalom
Spiritual Ministry Center, San Diego, CA 619-224-9444
Founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart, this center provides
"self-directed sabbaticals." For information write to them at
4822 Del Mar Ave., San Diego, CA 92107-3407. E-mail: spiritmin@aol.com
Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Theological Studies tantur@netvision.net.il
Tantur is located in Jerusalem, very close to the border with
Bethlehem. They have excellent three-month sessions (September
to mid-December and mid-January to April) as well as a four-week
summer session, all for pastors and interested laity. Includes
travel in Israel as well as lectures and worship in an ecumenical
setting. Tantur is operated by Notre Dame University. For up-to-date
information, check their website: www.come.to/tantur
Washington Theological Union, Washington, D.C. 1-800-334-9922
Organized program, but tailored to individual admissions@wtu.edu
- Sabbatical
Retreat Options
Note: This section is woefully incomplete. There are many, many
places where sabbaticals and retreats are possible for clergy,
including many monasteries. Only a few places are listed here.
Abba House of Prayer, Albany, NY
This Roman Catholic retreat center is ecumenical when it comes
to making arrangements for sabbaticals. Contact Elizabeth Hoye,
RSCJ at 518-438-8320.
Holden Village, Chelan, WA
Though developed by Lutherans, this is an ecumenical center. Sabbatical
arrangements may be made by writing to them at Program Coordinator,
HCOO Stop 2, Holden Village, Chelan, WA 98816. The rates are very
reasonable.
Redondo Retreat Center, Jemez Springs, NM
For information, contact Sharon Palma at redondo@jemez.com
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, AZ
Arrangements to spend up to four weeks "Sabbatical Time" at this
Lutheran retreat center may be made by contacting Scott Haasarud
at Shaasarud@aol.com or
by calling 480-488-5218.
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