From before sabbatical:

Rev. Karen is on sabbatical leave until May 15. 2020.  While she is away, please consult the sabbatical brochure that is available in our foyer for the people to contact with your pastoral concerns and other questions.

Sabbatical is a time of study, reflection, rest, and renewal – all ingredients for effective ministry.  Just as importantly, the congregation will benefit as Rev. Karen returns refreshed, filled with new ideas and with rekindled energy.  Further, it offers the staff and congregation the opportunity to step up to fill some of Rev. Karen’s responsibilities, affirming that a healthy congregation thrives even in the minister’s absence.  Karen looks forward to catching up with you when she returns!

In Karen’s reflection about this time she’ll be away, she said:

What I wish for you while I’m away is to continue to thrive.  Keep welcoming new people of all ages, all genders, all abilities, all backgrounds.  Keep serving our community, radiating your love and compassion and activism out.  Keep worshiping, singing, praying, celebrating your accomplishments and joys, and accompanying each other through your sorrows and fears.  Keep dreaming about what we will do next.  You have both a challenge and an opportunity here.  The challenge is to provide stability, and you’ve got that!  The opportunity is to widen your horizons, pay attention to new thoughts and ideas, and to deepen your ministry.  It’s going to be amazing.