Welcome to Pastor Keith's 2012 Sabbatical Blog

Welcome to my 2012 Sabbatical Blog.

This blog was created to report and share with my congregation and friends how I spent my three months on sabbatical (January through March, 2012).  This is not a complete or detailed report but rather an overview and highlight of what I experienced while I was away.

Before you begin to read: 
Because the posts are listed chronologically from most recent to oldest, in order to get the story of my sabbatical as it happened I suggest that you scroll all the way down to the bottom post then click on "Older Post" and start there and then move up until you get back to this last posting.

Enjoy my Blog.

Blessings,
Pastor Keith

The Final Week

I have come to the last week of my sabbatical.  It has been a wonderful time of rest, relaxation, renewal, creativity, ceasing of work (most of the time), reflection, prayer, dreaming, connecting with family, some travel, retreat, and enormous gratitude.

I have read more books in three months than I have in the past three years.  I have read:

• "This Odd and Wondrous Calling" by Lillian Daniel and Martin B. Copenhaven
• "Becoming the Pastor You Hope to Be" by Barbara J. Blodgett
• "Liberating Hope - Daring to Renew the Mainline Church" by Michael Piazza and Cameron Trimble
• "If the Church Were Christian - Rediscovering the Values of Jesus" by Philip Gulley
• "Good News Preaching" by Gennifer Benjamin Brooks

And I will have finished before my final day of sabbatical:

• "Prophetic Renewal - Hope for the Liberal Church" by Michael Piazza

I have a short reading list layed out for my professional reading when I return:

• "Speaking Christian - Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power and How They Can Be Restored" by Marcus Borg
• "The Evolution of Faith - How God is Creating a Better Christianity" by Philip Gulley
• "Lazarus, Come Forth! by Jesuit priest and peace activist, John Dear
• "Journey to the Common Good" by Walter Brueggemann
• "Islam - A Short History" by Karen Armstong

I'm looking forward to being back at St. John Church and most of all being with my congregation whom I appreciate so much for their prayers and support during my sabbatical time.

I want to again say thank you to the Pastoral Relations Committee, Church Council, our Association Minister, Ruth Brandon, Pastor Steve Hecky from St. John's United Church of Christ in Newport, and Ken Weidinger and the Congregational Care Team.

A special thanks to our staff: Brad Caldwell, Debbie Cummings, and Jimmy Smith.

And thank you to our Scholar in Residence, Sarah Melcher, who provided leadership in worship and pastoral presence in my absence and without whose help I would not have been able to be away for this important and needed sabbatical.

And to Jimmy Smith for his understanding, patience and support which helped me to use every minute of this sabbatical as I needed and wanted to for professional and personal growth and renewal.

Praise be to God!

Blessings,
Pastor Keith

Cherry Blossoms, DC and Justice

With the financial support of our United Church of Christ Association (Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association) and the National Church (Justice & Witness Ministries) I was able to attend the 10th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) held in Washington DC March 23rd through 26th.  The theme for this event was "Is This the Fast I Seek?" taken from Isaiah 58:1-12 and Luke 4:14-21.  These were some of the most powerful days of my ministry.  I attended workshops on: Taxes, Immigrant Policies, Budget and Policy Injustice that Hurts Children, and others.  The keynote conference speakers and their topics were:

"The Bible & Just Economy"
Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer (Professor of New Testament, Interdenominational Theological Center

"Economy, Lifelihood & Our National Priorities"
Rev. Dr. Gary Dorrien, Professor of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary in NYC & Columbia University
Ellen Nissenbaum, Senior VP for Government Affairs, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

Sunday Worship Preacher
Dr. Arturo Chavez, President and CEO, Mexican American Catholic College, San Antonio, TX

EAD Dinner Banquet Keynote Speaker
Congressman (and United Methodist minister) Emanuel Cleaver, II, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus

The workshops and speakers were outstanding.  The conference leaders and participants were from over 50 Christian denominations and service organizations.  I received training to work with our elected leaders from a faith perspective.  I met one other person from my district and she and I plan to visit our Representative together when we return to Kentucky.  On the last day of the conference EAD participants visited Capitol Hill and made visits to Congress members regarding the 2013 budget.  EAD presented a "Faithful Budget" document to as many Congress members as possible.  You may see this document at http://advocacydays.org/lobby/EAD%202012%20Leave%20Behind.pdf.

Prior to the EAD conference I attended the United Church of Christ "Justice Leaders Engaging and Developing" (Justice LED) curriculum training on March 21st & 22nd with six others UCC pastors and seminarians.



While at EAD I was able to meet for the first time two of our new UCC officers of the Church, Mark Clark (Associate General Minister) and Jim Moos (Executive Minister Wider Church Ministries).  I was also able to be with many national UCC staff members as well as UCC officer, Rev. Linda Jaramillo (Executive Minister Justice & Witness Ministries).  What an honor to share time with our national church leaders.  And of course I came home with more books to read and study (they had a great book store at the conference).

As part of the EAD conference the UCC delegates gathered at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington DC for a fellowship time and to visit the new building of this historic congregation in our nation's capital.

First Congregational United Church of Christ - DC

First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington DC was founded in 1865.  They have torn down two former church buildings due to enormous repair needs and cost of operation in order to retain their ministry in the downtown area.  In 2004, with a deteriorating building and a resurgent downtown the congregation made the decision to redevelop the property by selling the air rights to a private developer in exchange for a new, accessible, green building designed to carry out their mission.  The FCUCC Site Development Task Force organized and coordinated the extensive legal, design and financial tasks necessary to develop the project; and fostered an extraordinary partnership between the church and the developers, designers and builders whose skill, labor and commitment have made this project a reality.
You must go and see their website and learn more, it is a fantastic building and ministry, FirstUCCDC.org.

Amazingly my time in DC was right at the peak of the Cherry Blossoms.  I have been to DC a number of times but never during the Cherry Blossom Festival. This year was the 100th anniversary of the planting of the Japanese Cherry Trees.  It was beautiful.  I also got to visit the Jefferson Memorial (I had never made it there in past visits), and the new World War II Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.  What a great trip!

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

George Washington Memorial

The original Cherry Trees in DC - 100 years old
Given to the US from Japan

World War II Memorial

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

My drive to and from DC included listening to the books on CD:
"The Gnostic Gospels" by Elaine Pagels and
"Contemplative Prayer" by Thomas Merton.
The drive both ways was beautiful and inspiring (long too!).  The country side was in full bloom and the rolling hills were peaceful and powerful.  Praise God for such creation. 

The highlight of driving to DC was being able to spend a day with my niece, Deanna, who lives in Chester, VA close to Richmond.  She hosted me in her home, gave me a tour and introduced me to the staff and volunteers of the mental health organization that assist her.  I was thrilled to be able to spend some time with her.  I asked her what she wanted to do and she asked if we could go see a movie.  I let her pick the movie.  It was a scary one.  She told me her Uncle Keith "screamed like a girl" in front of everyone.  And I did.  I don't care for scary movies too much.  It was wonderful to be with her!!!

LA vs. the "Rolling Stones"

Jimmy and I were very excited about the one-week trip during my sabbatical to Los Angeles.  It was the only trip that Jimmy could be with me.  During March 9 through 17 we had planned to see LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Pasadena the beach and Pilgrim Place, a United Church of Christ retirement community, where I had an appointment to begin plans for my retirement.

About two hours before we were to leave for the airport Jimmy was experiencing excruciating pain in his side.  We thought first that it was an appendix attack.  There was no other choice but to go to the ER.

The ER Doctor was concerned that it could be Jimmy's appendix, liver, kidney, gallbladder or pancreas.  They were not able to determine exactly what was causing the pain.  Jimmy was sent home from the ER with upcoming appointments for more tests in the coming week.

The good news is that the appendix, liver, kidney, gallbladder and pancreas were all fine.  The bad news is that he has 5 kidney stones bouncing around.  He has passed one.  The rest are still with him.  The pain comes and goes and it looks like this will be a long process for Jimmy.

Although we were both very disappointed to cancel the LA trip, we are grateful Jimmy will be okay once the stones are all "rolled away."  We're looking forward to Easter!  Thank you for your prayers.

Gulley, Berkeley the Cat and Preaching, Oh My!

Well, it's March already.  My sabbatical has been a true blessing to me.  I have had some great experiences so far, learned a lot, read a lot (and have more to read), and have been able to rest, spend time with family and some friends.

I started March with yet another "Gulley encounter".  As you know from my past posts I have read one of Philip Gulley's books while on sabbatical, If The Church Were Christian.  This is a wonderful book.  On Saturday, March 3rd I attended the Spirituality Gathering at Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.  It was a great day with Philip (the Key note speaker) and a host of Quaker and other Christians gathered there.

Philip Gulley at Earlham School of Religion - Richmond, IN

I hope to bring Phil Gulley to St. John Church some time in the future.  I'm already working on setting this up.  (Oops, I'm not supposed to be working now am I?  I'm always working, what can I say.)

Berkeley Elizabeth Haithcock
(He doesn't like his middle name)

Before leaving on sabbatical some asked how Berkeley (my cat) is going to deal with me being away so much.  All but one week that I have been out of town, Jimmy (thank you Jimmy) has graciously taken care of Berkeley.  Truth be told, Berkeley likes Jimmy more than me anyway, so I think Berkeley is happy.

While in town I've had more time at home with Berkeley.  I'm not sure he likes that so much.  He thinks he runs the house and often tells me what to do and how to do it.

He seems to be dealing well with my sabbatical schedule.  I can tell (he would never mention this) that he has missed me when I've been away.

Berkeley is one of God's smartest creatures.  At least that's what he has told me.





My current reading is from Good News Preaching by Gennifer Benjamin Brooks.  According to this book my sermons should be much longer.  Now I've got your attention.  Just kidding.

Although much of what Brooks offers is a re-visit to the basics in my peaching classes in seminary (such as sermon structure, laying the Biblical foundations, Theological constructs and constraints, shaping and formating the sermon and connecting and contextualizing the text)  Brooks says, "The good news of the sermon is not merely the interpretation of a scripture text or topic brought to life through the in-depth study, or even particularly the preacher's internalization of the Word and connection with the hearers.  And although we may preach the good news that we have experienced in our relationship with God, the good news of our sermons is not about us.  It is about God's grace present and available to all people for all time.  And when we offer it to the people of God in our sermons - that's good news preaching."

Pray for me, that my preaching may come alive to offer the Gospel (Good News) in every sermon I preach.

February

The month of February has been filled with a full schedule of events and accomplishments.

Northern Kentucky served as my "home-base" in February while I took day trips and some overnight visits to see family, friends here in the mid west and attend worship and workshops close by.  I also enjoyed some restful time at my home and leisurely lunches with colleagues and friends.

Mother & Dad

My High School - the oldest HS in Indiana

My Jr. High (Middle) School

I visited my parents and home town of New Albany, IN and was able to attend worship in my home church, First Church of God, for the first time in 20 years.  It was great to see long-time friends, Sunday School Teachers and to be there for worship.

My Home Church

I read the book "If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus" by one of my favorite authors, Philip Gulley.  This is another fantastic book by Gulley.  I hope to do a book study with St. John in the Fall and I spent some time during sabbatical trying to work out details for bringing Philip to St. John for a weekend all-church retreat.  www.PhilipGulley.org
 

Fairfield Friends Church

Along with reading Gulley's book I was able to go to his Church for worship on Sunday, February 19th.  It was the first time I ever attended a Society of Friends (Quaker) congregation.  It was wonderful.  The Fairfield Friends Church is located in Camby, IN just south west of Indianapolis.  They have been in their current building since the mid 1880's and are now building a new "meeting house."  I'm so glad I went and worshiped with them.  It was great to meet Philip Gulley and hear him preach in his own congregation.  www.fairfieldfriends.org  I also attended the Spiritual Gathering at Earl School of Religion in Richmond, IN on March 3rd where Philip was the main speaker.

Jeff Cooksey

While in Indiana I stopped in Indianapolis and visited my friend Jeff Cooksey, a friend I have known since third grade church camp.



I also journeyed to Anderson, IN where I stopped by Anderson University where I did my undergraduate work. 

Me in front of AU's new York Performance Hall

And another highlight was spending several days with my good freind and colleague and Youth Pastor from my Jr. High days, John and Ruth Albright.  We had a great time together.

John and Ruth Albright

During February I also read the book "Liberating Hope! Daring to Renew the Mainline Church" by Michael Piazza and Cameron Trimble co-directors of the Center for Progressive Renewal.  This was a very helpful read and a great resource for my ministry at St. John.  As you may have feared, I will be returning with all kinds of resources I will want to apply to our ministry together at St. John.  Are you ready?

Pastor Joe Phelps

On one of my short trips I had the opportunity to attend the Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, a progressive liberal Baptist Church (formally Southern Baptist, now Cooperative Baptists and Alliance of Baptist affiliated) doing great ministry.  I've been wanting to attend Highland for years but this was my first time to do so. 
I met with Joe Phelps, the Sr. Pastor, and we had a very enlightening talk about renewing and rebuilding urban progressive congregations.  I have a new friend and colleague in Joe!  A comment that Joe said to me about St. John was that we are, "A Progressive Christian Voice in Northern Kentucky."  I think this could be a powerful tag-phrase for us to use on all of our publications, website and promotional materials.  This is who we are and we should be "evangelistic" about it.  We have light to shine and we need to do so boldly!
I attended both their 9:00 a.m. and their 11:00 a.m. services of worship and hope to return to attend their 7:00 p.m. Friday Worship that reaches a whole different crowd on Friday evenings.

Highland Baptist Church in worship

As many of you know, I love movies.  It is very hard for me to watch a movie and not think of how I could use some of the lines in a sermon.  Here are two quotes that made their way to my journal in February.  

The first one is from the movie "Shunned" about an Amish girl. 

"The miracle ain't the life you missed, Katie, it's the life you've got." 

The second is from the 1951 movie with Kirk Douglas, "Ace In the Hole".

"I don't go to Church,.....kneeling bags my nylons." 

Now there is a reason for not attending Church I've never heard before.  LOL

Ending My Retreat in Alabama

As I move from my one-month personal retreat in Alabama I want to reflect briefly on my time here.

I have benefited very much from having the time to just slow down, get my work out of my head, let go of the on-going drive and demands of being a pastor, begin to do some inner work on my spirit and direction of ministry, read lots of books and articles, devotional material and spiritual renewal resources, listen to the waves and to God's still speaking voice and allow things to surface in my own life and soul that I have not been able to see in a long time. 

This month has provided the time to let go of the day to day of being a pastor.  Now I am ready to begin some deeper inner work, reflection, and discernment around my ministry and my role as pastor.

While I was at my personal retreat there were some wonderful people I met along the way I'd like to thank.  They are:

Terri who was my Yoga instructor and on staff at the registration desk.  I'm grateful for her willingness to work with me - a newbie to yoga - for her openness, laugh, smile and fun spirit.

Pastor Ellen Sims and the congregation of Open Table United Church of Christ in Mobile.

Darryl (my Chiropractor) and his assistant Alisha.  Thanks for your hospitality and help in my time of great pain and need.  Bless you for taking a "walk-in" or should I say, "crawl in".

Darrell and Catherine who gave us a ride back to the ferry.  Thanks for the tour around the island and the great conversation about life and faith.  And also the ferry worker who gave us a ride to the restaurant when we were so hungry.  Such southern hospitality!

Catherine and Darrell

Beth, our server at Tacky Jack's, waaaaaaaay fun and a great server.

The woman at Tacky Jack's who we talked to for over an hour about all kinds of things.  It was great to just be regular people with you.  Too fun.

And to my retreat companion, Rev. Pat, who shared with me joys, sorrows, tears, struggles and affirmations of ministry and being a pastor.

Thanks be to God!