Pastor Tracey's Sabbatical Plans

​Each month the Trinity newsletter will focus on a component of Pastor Tracey’s sabbatical.  This National Clergy Renewal Program is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc

Early to mid-June, I will be traveling to the U.K.  Over the weekend, I’ll spend time with British Methodists involved in the Fresh Expressions movement.  Fresh Expressions originated in the U.K. and it will be exciting to learn about their creative ways of doing and being the church.

Following my weekend in London with Fresh Expressions, I will train to East Sussex and spend the week visiting two Bruderhof Communities.  Bruderhof (founded in Germany by Eberhard Arnold in 1920) believes in communal living; in a full sharing of all goods and resources, duties and responsibilities. They welcome guests; and guests must integrate fully into their community.  Their website states:  “We are a fellowship of families and singles, practicing radical discipleship in the spirit of the first church in Jerusalem.”  I believe this experience will help me grow in my willingness to offer myself to others in a more genuine way, helping me to live Paul’s words to the Philippians to look not to my own interests but to the interests of others.  I will reside at the Darvell Community but will make a couple “day trips” to Peckham, a new community, recently established, comprised of college students. I selected Peckham because I am eager to experience Christian communal living with these young adults since this is a growing demographic in our congregation.