|
|
|
A Well Deserved Sabbath |
 |
|
Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 5/12/2008 10:34 AM | Greetings!
One of the things that impressed me when I first arrived at BCC was their foresight and their understanding of what Sabbath truly means. Part of my “terms of call” to BCC was the fact that I was to receive a sabbatical every 5 years of service to the congregation. I discovered that our Associate, Jennifer Heinz, also has the same provision in her “terms of call”. It showed me immediately that the congregation wanted to do their best to help keep their ministerial staff fresh and motivated. For that is really what sabbatical is all about: a chance to step back, to alter your routine, to get a fresh perspective on what it is you are involved in, to prepare yourself for the next phase in ministry. My sabbatical last year did just that for me, and I think that it has paid off dividends not only for me, but for the new perspective I continue to bring to my duties.
Jennifer Heinz arrived at BCC more than a year before I did. First, she served as a seminary intern with the congregation, and then, as the full time Interim Associate Minister. When Rev. Anne Bonney retired, Jennifer stepped in as Interim Senior Minister for about 3 months until I arrived. Not only did she carry those duties off wonderfully, she did it at a particularly difficult time. Not only did the congregation have to grieve and adjust to the retirement of a beloved pastor, but almost immediately upon Jennifer stepping into her new role, we were devastated by the events of September 11, 2001. Talk about your baptism by fire! But again, Jennifer not only pulled it off, but did it with grace and skill that belied her experience.
When I arrived Jennifer returned to the role of “Interim Associate Minister.” The idea was that the congregation would wait until the new Senior Minister came to begin the search for a new Associate. After about six months at BCC, I was of the opinion that we did not need to do that, we had the best person we were going to find already with us. The board agreed wholeheartedly and we removed the “Interim” from Jennifer’s title once and for all. And not for one moment have any of us questioned that decision. Jennifer’s ministry here has been exemplary in all regards. Her commitment to whatever task is in front of her is singular. Her gifts for ministry are many and varied. Her love of the people of BCC is unwavering.
In the intervening 6 years, things have changed somewhat, but never has Jennifer’s hard work on behalf of this congregation lessened. For a year or so she combined her ministerial duties with the role of choir director and as always, did it well. Then after the birth of her daughter Sarah, Jennifer returned to BCC in a new part-time role: Minister of Contemporary Worship. In that role she has led the highly successful “Praise on Peachtree” alternative worship experience on the first Sunday of each month, giving us all a chance to worship in a slightly different way, to view things through a slightly different lens and to be enriched in a very special way.
Jennifer will leave on her well deserved sabbatical beginning next Thursday, May 15 and return to BCC on July 15. She will be spending some time in study, some time with her family, some time in travel. And all this time away from us will help her recharge and renew her ministry among us. While technically this sabbatical recognizes the 5 years since she became our official “Associate Minister” in 2002, it is also in recognition of all that she has done for us for all the years she has been here.
This Sunday will be Jennifer’s last Sunday with us for awhile. LeAnn Blanchard has agreed to take on the interim leadership of “Praise on Peachtree” for the next couple of months and so we know that is in good hands. I hope you will join me this Sunday in wishing Jennifer a safe and restful sabbatical time and will covenant with her to keep her in your prayers that she might returned to us renewed and refreshed. No one deserves it more.
| | | Permalink | Trackback |
|
|
 | |