What my Sabbatical is all about!

After 21 years ordained ministry, and more recently the diagnosis of advanced renal cancer which has spread to the bone, and requires continual treatment, I thought the time was right for my first sabbatical/study leave.

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham has agreed, given me a period of Sabbatical/Study Leave, starting 6th January 2012 until 31st March 2012.

When I was discharged from hospital in December 2009, by way of answer to my question as to whether I would be all right, I was told that I hadn't come through all this without some purpose. These words have stayed with me, but as I have prayed, reflected on, and pondered, I feel that I want to take this further -- using this period of study leave which my bishop has approved, to put together and expand my thinking. I want to explore my understanding of my relationship with God through life’s varied experiences.

I am entitling this “ Becoming who I am”.

A key part of my 21 years of ordained ministry has been my ability to relate to people where they are, and so help them to find God in their lives -- becoming who they are. In particular I am keen to explore the spirituality of suffering and struggle.

This not only links in with my current situation with my cancer, but also my on-going interest of suffering and struggle in the world -- the two world wars, the Middle East, and Northern Ireland. Over the years I have led eight parish pilgrimages to the battlefields of the First World War, and I now want to widen my research.

I am planning trips to: Auschwitz, Germany, World War I and 2 sites in France and Belgium, Northern Ireland, and Jerusalem. I intend to interview various people – those affected/or involved with these struggles, plus my own medical team about my cancer. I intend to complete a course on PowerPoint (I currently haven't a clue, but want to present my findings on PowerPoint). I also intend to go on a further Myers/Briggs course (I have already done several), and follow the whole exercise with a retreat for personal reflection. When completed, I want to use my presentation for the benefit of as many people as possible, to help them in their understanding of struggles, both within the world, and personally. I will make myself available in other parishes, and in the wider diocese.