THE SABBATICAL GUIDE

for The Rev. Mark Ward

January 1 - June 30, 2012

Introduction

After seven years of outstanding service to our congregation, our minister, The Rev. Mark Ward, will take his first sabbatical from January 1 to June 30, 2012. Mark became our minister in 2004 and has been accruing sabbatical leave since then, as specified in our congregation's letter of agreement with him. He is now eligible for a six-month sabbatical.Mark anticipated this event by selecting a five-member Sabbatical Committee to do advance planning. The church has budgeted for the additional expenses which will result as we maintain our vital church community in Mark’s absence.  

The Sabbatical Committee has arranged for The Rev. Sarah York to lead worship services two Sundays each month during Mark’s absence. Stephen Jones, a long-time active member of our congregation, has graciously agreed to serve as Sabbatical Convener without compensation. During Mark’s sabbatical, Stephen will facilitate communication among the church staff, the board of trustees and the congregation. Marilyn Martin as Administrator will continue to manage the church's day-to-day operations.

Why a Sabbatical?

Large UU congregations have a tradition of providing sabbatical leave very similar to the common practice in academic institutions. The sabbatical is an important part of the working relationship between the church and the minister. Both Mark and our congregation will receive benefits from Mark’s sabbatical. It offers Mark an extended time for study, reflection, and spiritual renewal. The church will benefit from Mark’s new insights. 

What will Mark do while on Sabbatical?

Mark plans to use his time away from the pulpit and executive duties to both hone his skills in ministry and deepen his connections to both family and his own spiritual center. On the horizon is a workshop on multi-media worship, a tutorial in Policy Governance, and a retreat with the Center for Courage and Renewal, plus visits to a couple of large UU churches who are doing what he considers outstanding work. Also on the docket are trips by Mark and his wife, Debbie, to visit their children in Malawi, Africa; Saarbrucken, Germany; and Madison, Wisconsin. In between will be ceramics classes, volunteering in the Asheville area and simply reading, gardening, hiking and rest.

Can we contact Mark during his sabbatical?

NO – The sabbatical is Mark’s time to have a complete break from his ministerial duties.  He will not be available to the congregation during this time. Our professional staff, lay leadership, and Sabbatical Convener Stephen Jones are prepared to deal with all the usual matters of congregational life, including emergencies.

Our Sabbatical Convener - Stephen Jones

During Mark’s absence, Stephen will attend various church business meetings and serve as the connection between staff, lay leaders, and the congregation. He will also review Mark’s email and phone messages. He will be a connector not a decider. It is our hope that Stephen will help keep the church running smoothly but that any major executive decisions will be reserved for Mark’s return.

Our Sabbatical Preacher - The Rev. Sarah York

Over the course of Mark’s six month sabbatical, Rev. York will deliver twelve sermons. The Sabbatical Preparation Committee is delighted that Sarah has agreed to make frequent visits to our pulpit. We respect Sarah’s request that she not be called on for other church duties.  Except when she is leading the service, Sarah will not be available to the congregation during Mark’s sabbatical. 

Our Assistant Minister - The Rev. Lisa Bovee Kemper

By now you have all met our recently hired Assistant Minister, Lisa Kemper. Lisa has assumed the leadership of our Pastoral Care network, overseeing the work of the pastoral visitors as they provide support for church Members. During Mark's absence, if you or someone you know in the church needs pastoral assistance, please contact Lisa. 

Lisa also coordinates our Social Justice activities in conjunction with the Social Justice Council. She will continue to deliver one sermon each month in our Sunday services.

Schedule of Sunday Services

January - June, 2012

Guest Speaker Bios

Walter Ziffer, Th.D. (1/22/12)

Ziffer is a post-WW II immigrant from Czechoslovakia. He designs and manufactures unique mezuzahs, menorahs and other Jewish ritual objects from exotic woods in combination with brass, copper and silver. Walter is a retired professor of biblical studies and theology. He has taught in France, Belgium and the US on the graduate and undergraduate levels. He is the author of many articles and two books. Prior to his biblical and theological work, he was a design engineer with the General Motors Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. He is the holder of several automotive-related US patents. Walter is a longtime member of Congregation Beth Israel in Asheville and lives with his wife Gail in Weaverville, NC. He is a Holocaust survivor.

The Rev. Jake Morrill (1/29/12)

The Rev. Jake Morrill grew up in the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church religious education program and has served as Minister of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church since 2003. Since 2009, he has represented the Southeast District on the Unitarian Universalist Association Board of Trustees, attempting to fill the big shoes of Anna Olsen!  Jake and his wife Molly have two sons.

The Rev. Jim McKinley (3/11/12)
Rev. McKinley is Minister of the Hendersonville Unitarian Universalist Church.

Rabbi Rob Cabelli (4/1/12)

Rob Cabelli is Rabbi of Beth Israel in Asheville. He was ordained from Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. Prior to that he received a doctorate in molecular microbiology and a postdoctoral fellowship in developmental neuroscience. He has been a research scientist and professor.

David Madden (4/22/12)

A native of Knoxville with strong North Carolina ties, David Madden is the author of 50 books, ten of which are novels; the latest is Abducted by Circumstance. Five of his books are about the Civil War, including the novel Sharpshooter. He is founder of the U. S. Civil War Center. Robert Penn Warren Professor of Creative Writing Emeritus, LSU, he lives with his wife Robbie, a Unitarian, in Black Mountain. He continues to teach short creative writing workshops.

Church Contacts

Sabbatical Committee:

Ann McLellan, Chair

Doug Hibshman

Marianne Newman

Frank Valenti

Tim Warner