Sixteen years ago, in 2005, I took my first “sabbatical.” I spent two months with the Goethe institut, in Berlin and Bad Godesburg, then about 10 days visiting Christmas markets. My husband dropped me that morning at the bus station in Goslar (he would be flying separately, accompanying a friend to the US to visit her family.). And I sat there and cried. I was full of grief that it was over. (It must be said that I was in a job that I was really unhappy in, and had only held on because of the promise of a workplace sabbatical - 10 weeks unpaid leave, and that I’d start a new job about two months after that day on the platform in Goslar.)
I am not crying today. While the experience of these sixteen weeks has been truly wonderful, even more magical than my 2005 break, it has led me even deeper into the love of the community that awaits me at home. I cannot wait to share the experience with them, I cannot express the joy to be returning not just to my churches, in both the local and other settings, but also friends, family, all the loved ones I have not connected with for three and a half months, starting with my cousin Loraine, who is hosting me tonight, and my husband, daughter and granddaughter, who will pick me up tomorrow afternoon in Lewistown.
The emotion I am feeling most keenly today is gratitude. This sabbatical was an amazing, wonderful gift, and I am grateful to everyone who made it possible. Please indulge me a minute while I mention some of them.
I am grateful to, first, foremost and most, my churches, St Peter’s UCC and St. Peter’s Lutheran in Rebersburg, Christ UCC in Madisonburg, and the Allegheny Synod of the ELCA and the Penn Central Conference of the UCC, who supported me in asking for a Sabbatical, in my Lilly Endowment application, and provided support to one another in my absence.
I am grateful to the Lilly Endowment for Clergy Renewal, which funded this grand adventure, and who were so flexible about changes when we had changes.
I am grateful to Janet Curtis, who helped me apply for the Lilly Grant, and who supported me every step of the way (even reading this blog!)
I am grateful to the family and friends who cheered me on, especially those who stepped up when a family emergency occurred mid-sabbatical.
I am thankful to Dietrich and Ute, Birke and Birgit, who run Brot und Rosen, and all the folks living there, now and in the future. Living in community with you for that time really solidified what this sabbatical was all about. I love you all, I will get that newsletter article written, I will send a small gift for A’s first birthday, and I will keep in touch and return some day.
I am thankful to the countries of Europe: Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Greece, for inviting me in in this difficult time, for making me feel welcome, for helping me when I did not speak your language (and for the folks who told me how well I speak German, even though I am not certain that is precisely true.). My country did not reciprocate, even though Covid was more prevalent there and precautions are far less carefully followed. I am glad that is changing in the next few weeks. And Israel, who did not let me in - I’ll be there, when I can do my travel on my terms. I know it will be a while, but I hope not too many years.
I am especially grateful for the people. The delivery guy and the construction workers who made sure I had sufficient food during my isolation in Edinburgh. My friends in St. Andrews who met with me, and shared a lovely dinner together. The hostel owner in Oban, who was so helpful when her hostel had to close because of a Covid exposure. All the amazing people of the Wild Goose Worship Group who had this wonderful, wonderful retreat to kick off the sabbatical over a week in Iona.
The young woman who helped me when Covid regulations in Germany changed, and no one could find the German PLF form online. The apartment owner in Italy who let me stay in his little house, so amazingly nice, let me use his phone number so I could order food, and checked in with me via WhatsApp to make sure everything was OK.
The community of Nuns, of Monks, and of PIlgrims in Assisi, who helped me understand Francis a little better, and who let me pray with them, even though I’m protestant.
The city of Geneva, for giving me a free transit ticket, which made moving through that city, and taking the ferries so easy! The churches in Zurich, all open for me and welcoming.
My brother, his wife, and especially his children, who provided me with some much needed downtime, access to some recreation that was not as touristic, and a lot of fun. Eva, your soccer game, and selling snacks was so much fun, Oliver, your smile is still in my heart. I hope to see you in two years, maybe in Portugal, and to always be a part of your live. Aunt Julie loves you.
The community of nuns in Wittenberg, with whom I could pray twice a day, and who welcomed me so warmly into their hearts, and the people of Erfurt,who welcomed me into their Oktoberfest, and helped me discover that Radler made with the fresh raspberry soda! Yum!
The people all over Greece, who were willing to talk to me when all my Greek was Kalimera (and Dr. Newheart, because of whom I could actually make out the Greek letters - thank you!). Especially people on Ferries and Islands, and archeological sites. Matt Barrett and Rick Steves and Lonely Planet, who gave me numerous ideas when my plans for Israel fell through. The families who ran the hostel in Meteora, the hotel on Kos and the Pension in Nafplio, who share their home cooked jams and lemonade and make these lodgings feel like you are a guest in someone’s home. These were truly the best places I stayed.
The Polish Catholic (I think) Community of Nafplio who made me feel welcome at their masses, even though I’m a protestant, and a preacher at that. The same with the Orthodox churches that provided me a place to pray. I have a new understanding of the body of Christ because of you.
Gratitude for every server and hotel maid, every ticket clerk, every tour guide, every person who translated a museum sign, checked my vaccination certificate.
And last, but most, my family, Mark, Catherine, Audrey, who carried on without me for sixteen weeks, who resisted asking me too many questions about what was going on at home, who managed the CSA and the morning coffee pot (but Mark always does that - what a gift.)
You are all the best. You all made this amazing.
This blog is not over. As I transition back to regular life, I’ll review and report on this Sabbatical in a variety of ways. Most notably, I will do some slide shows to share my travels and my adventure. I expect to do this over the winter, probably starting in mid to late January. I’ll share over an internet conference as well as in person at my churches, and will put some of the best photos up here and on Facebook Live. I’ll also continue blogging as I ponder what all this means and go back over my four books of notes from the last 16 weeks. Stay tuned, and join me!
