Rev. Molly will be away from all UUCC work for her sabbatical from May 4 through Aug. 2, and Intern Minister Monica Clark-Robinson will help keep everything running smoothly as Sabbatical Minister.
Rev. Molly’s plan is to spend the first two months of sabbatical working on a writing project that has been tugging at her spirit. The third month she and her family will travel to Ireland to visit some thin places, including the garden of Brigid, Celtic saint of blacksmithing, midwifery and poetry.
In August Rev. Molly will return – bringing the inspiration she has found – to launch another church year of blossoming and creating together.
Rev. Molly notes that a ministerial sabbatical is not only for a minister – it is also a time for a congregation to reflect on its own work and creativity, which exists tangled up with, but also separately from, that of its minister. This summer there will be so much creative work unfolding at UUCC, as some of those participating in Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long’s research with us carry forward the questions, ideas and skills that she has shared. Be on the lookout for opportunities for book studies, mapping exercises and relationship-building as we continue to map our congregation as a site of mutual aid, resilience and community creativity – a thriving garden of seeds rooting and blossoming.
Monica is delighted to have the opportunity to fill in as Sabbatical Minister. She will be working part-time, preaching two Sundays a month, and doing meetings, pastoral care, and staff supervision both in-person and virtually. She will have time for hospital and pastoral care visits during her in-person weeks. She will also be available for phone or Zoom call pastoral care during the weeks she is back in Arkansas.
Here are the Monica will be present in Columbia:
- May 9-17 (and her ordination is on May 16 – she hopes you can come!)
- June 13-21
- July 4-12
Monica’s office hours will be on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. She will hold them at church when she is in Columbia and on Zoom when she is back home. And on Fridays when she is in Columbia, she will hold community office hours from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – more info about location to come.
Feel free to reach out to Monica at any time by email if you have questions or even if you simply want to chat.