Awakening Curiosity

Dear Friends,

Over the next month I will be preparing for a short sabbatical. Typically ministers earn 1 month of sabbatical for every year of ministry, which can be taken after 4 years of service in a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Some ministers choose to take those months all at once; others spread that time out over a longer period. I requested and received one month of sabbatical this year, which I will take in July. Since I typically take vacation and study leave time in the summer, I will take this time away from the congregation in June instead. May 31st will be my last Sunday with you until August.

A sabbatical can be used for many purposes: travel, writing projects, courses and training, individualized plans for study, or just much needed rest. It is my hope to take time over the next few years for all these things. While I had initially planned to take a unit of clinical pastoral education this summer, that plan has changed due to available course schedules and, also, a deeper, persistent calling. So instead I will be spending my month of sabbatical focused on a long-delayed personal writing project. I will be taking a break from sermons and speeches to  focus on poetry, personal reflection, and maybe even a little fiction.  I also hope to improve my harp-playing skills, as I recently started taking lessons with a local instructor. I am also hopeful that time away from ministry will help me to renew my purpose and our connection.

I will be sharing ministerial resources with the Board to support you during my absence. I look forward to connecting with all of you in May as we explore our theme of Awakening Curiosity together, and seeing what emerges from an upcoming time of rest and renewal!

Rev. Terri

May Soul Matters theme: Awakening Curiosity

A quote by Melanie Gamble: 

Being curious means asking why before assuming. It means seeking to understand someone’s story rather than making assumptions based on what we see on the surface. When we approach people, situations, and even ourselves with curiosity, we open the door to empathy, learning, and connection. Judgment, on the other hand, builds walls. It limits our ability to grow, to appreciate diverse perspectives, and to create space for dialogue and understanding.  

I invite you to join me in exploring this theme further this month!