June 2023: Sabbatical Ahead

June 14, 2023

To the People of the Diocese of East Carolina

Dear friends in Christ,

The time has come for me to finish my 2020 sabbatical, delayed by COVID as were so many other plans. Our Standing Committee members have encouraged me to complete my sabbatical whenever it would make sense to do so. As I announced at Diocesan Convention in February, I will be doing so this summer. On Monday, June 26^th I will start into the remaining ten weeks, to be finished with the Labor Day weekend. Next week, before my sabbatical begins, I will take a week of vacation time.

My time away will include rest and recreation, with reading, writing and prayer intended to help me prepare for the next chapter in our life together as Bishop and Diocese. Most of my sabbatical will be spent in eastern North Carolina and will include exploration of our backroads and beaches. Two weeks will be spent away from here, with a week-long retreat in the mountains of North Carolina and a week visiting the Anglican Church in Tanzania with the Compass Rose Society. While I’m on sabbatical, I will limit my social media presence. On my return, I’ll find a way to share stories of my experience and what I have learned.

During the ten weeks of my sabbatical, I will be almost entirely detached from the every-day life and ministry of the Diocese. In the case of any needs that may emerge, please connect with Hannah Jarman by email at [email protected] or by telephone at Diocesan House. In support of our planning for this fall’s Revival with our Presiding Bishop, along with some other time-sensitive work, I will be checking in with Hannah on a regular basis but will do my best to avoid engaging in any regular work.

Please know that I will be grateful for your prayers while I am away, even as I will be remembering you in mine.

Yours in Christ,

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