Last week I had the opportunity to spend three days at The Bishop’s Ranch, a beautiful Episcopal camp and retreat center outside of Healdsburg, at the clergy conference for the Diocese of Northern California. I shared about the life and work of our presenter, South African freedom fighter-turned-healer and founder of the Institute for the Healing of Memories, Fr. Michael Lapsley, in my sermon on Sunday. The opportunity to be with my friends and colleagues in a beautiful place is always welcome, but this year it was particularly poignant as I reflected on the past year.
A year ago at the beginning of May, I had just begun a full-time medical leave that would last nearly six months. In the fall, the vestry and I entered into a period of intense discernment and re-committed to one another and to a process lasting another six months that would allow me to gradually re-integrate into full leadership of the congregation. With Bishop Alan as full time clergy-in-charge, the plan was for me to gradually return to full leadership of the congregation by the time he left in mid-July.
That time is now nearly completed, and I am pleased to say that, with some ups and downs along the way, it has worked. I am currently working 3/4 time and learning to balance my well-being with being more fully present at church. I have found great joy in the gift of my returning ability to be a priest among you, and the privilege of being Grace’s rector. Bishop Alan and I are using the time between now and some planned time away I have in May to complete the “hand-off” of staff supervision and program leadership. When I return in July I plan to preach 3 Sundays out of 4 and be present in the office three days a week (one day is set aside for study and sermon preparation, best done from home.)
I set out at the beginning of this time to visit with as many of our active families as possible, and have been able to connect with nearly half of our active members one-on-one. This has been a wonderful opportunity to renew and deepen relationships. If we have not had a chance to visit yet and you would like to, please reach out to me via email and we’ll get a time on the calendar!
As we celebrate our 150th and look toward the future, it is a great joy to know that we will continue walking together along the road God has called us. “‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.
deep peace, Rev. Amy
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