Mark Your Calendars for Sabbatical Events!

Pastor Tracey’s sabbatical will begin on April 25. There are some special congregational gatherings related to the
sabbatical.  Read below and mark these dates on your calendar!
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Leave-taking Reception on April 7
April 7, following morning worship will be a “leave-taking” reception for Pastor Tracey.  Join us in the Great Room for a time of snacks and fellowship.

Congregational Retreat May 17-19
The weekend of May 17-19, Rev. Dr. John Whitaker, a United Methodist pastor serving in the West Ohio Conference, will lead a retreat and preach for Sunday morning worship.  Rev. Whitaker serves as Senior Pastor at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Cincinnati.  He is trained in spiritual formation and has a D.Min. from United Seminary focused on the topic of Christian Community.

Pastor John will lead a retreat Friday evening and Saturday morning entitled The Choice for Community.  The retreat will take place in the Great Room and will begin with a light dinner on Friday evening, May 17, at 5:30 p.m. and conclude around 8:30.  It will resume at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning and conclude at noon.  The retreat will focus on topics such as: 
· Definitions of community,
· obstacles to community,
· community strengths and weaknesses,
· spiritual practices that strengthen community,
· inclusive community, and
· foundations of community.
This retreat is for the entire church.  It is not limited to formal church leadership.  Lily clergy sabbaticals encourage events for the congregation to grow during the pastor’s absence.  This retreat will be a wonderful opportunity for learning and growth.

Rev. Whitaker and Pastor Tracey served together at Church of the Cross United Methodist in Kettering, Ohio in the late 90’s and have remained good friends.  You will certainly be blessed by Pastor John’s leadership and teaching.

June Story Suppers
During the month of June, the congregation will have two opportunities to craft our “congregational narrative” as Morris DuBose, our narrative consultant, facilitates two story suppers.  The entire congregation is encouraged to participate; but you only need to attend one of the two story suppers.  The first will include a light lunch and will take place following worship on Sunday, June 2.  The second will include a light dinner and will take place on Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m.  Morris and table facilitators will lead us in celebrating and “cataloguing” memories of such things as: past pastors, our music program over the years, our missions and community outreach, how our surrounding neighborhood has evolved, memorable holiday traditions, etc.  This will be an enjoyable, interactive experience and will allow us to craft our congregation’s narrative in preparation of celebrating our 200th anniversary in 2027.

Communication during Sabbatical
Keep in mind that Lilly sabbatical expectations are for there to be no contact between the pastor and congregation during the sabbatical period in order for clergy to completely “unplug” and rest and renew.  Pastor Tracey’s church email will be forwarded and will be responded to by either Melissa or Rev. Jack Hartman.  Many of you have Pastor Tracey’s cell phone number but calls and texts to the cell phone number will also not be responded to during the sabbatical time. 

Pastor Linda will be in town and you are welcome to contact her with any pastoral emergencies as well.  A full listing of how clergy duties will be divided will be available on April 7 at the leave-taking reception to assist you in determining who can best field specific questions or concerns.