Genesis 2:2. And on
the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested
on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.
The purpose of a Sabbatical
leave is to provide an opportunity for those on Sabbatical to rest.
If God thought it was good for God, surely God thinks it is good for
God's people. In this regard (as in others) Clergy are to be models
of God to God's people. It is, therefore, incumbent on them to be
deliberate in taking regular times for the rest which allows for the
replenishment of the body and the spirit. Sabbaticals are in addition
to regularly scheduled vacation times and are not to be confused with
sick leave or any other kind of leave.
-
This
Diocese strongly recommends that each vestry or mission council
employing a clergy person arrange with its clergy person to take
a Sabbatical of no less than 3 months every 5 to 7 years. (If a
clergy person serves in this Diocese in two or more cures during
the 5 to 7 year period, we recommend that the time between Sabbaticals
be cumulative. If this be the case, the clergy person is responsible
for informing the vestry or mission council of this recommendation
before the call is issued and by including the appropriate information
in the letter of agreement.)
We also recommend
that vestries or mission councils calling Clergy from another Diocese
negotiate proper time for a Sabbatical Leave as a part of the letter
of agreement (keeping in mind the time lapsed since the last Sabbatical).
The
Bishop and Deployment Officer will notify each vestry or mission
council of these recommendations as soon as possible after a vacancy
occurs.
The
Bishop expects that all Clergy newly entering the Diocese will
have Sabbatical Leave plans included in their letters of agreement.
It
is Diocesan Policy that these recommendations and expectations
be communicated to all vestries, mission councils and clergy.
-
While
on Sabbatical, the Clergy will receive full compensation from the
Parish or Mission or Diocese; they are considered "actively
employed" for purposes of insurance coverage. Grants from the
Diocese may be available; and Parishes or Missions are strongly
encouraged to include in each year's budget a reasonable amount
of money to be used by the Clergy Person on her/his Sabbatical Leave.
Clergy, likewise, are strongly encouraged to budget a reasonable
amount each year in preparation for the Sabbatical Leave. (It is
the hope of the Diocese that in future years, money may be regularly
budgeted each year in the Diocesan budget so that the Diocese may
be expected to provide 1/3, the Parish or Mission 1/3, and the Clergy
Person 1/3, of the cost of the Sabbatical Leave.)
- Time away on Sabbatical
is in addition to Vacation time, but it may count toward continuing
education time and thus may qualify for money budgeted for continuing
education. (Those considering pursuing continuing education during
their Sabbatical Leave time are encouraged to be mindful that the
primary intent of the Sabbatical is to provide time for rest and replenishment.)
- When a Clergy person
is making plans for Sabbatical Leave, s/he is required to consult
with the Bishop or a Clergy colleague (who is to be chosen by the
Clergy person in consultation with the Bishop). The Diocesan Office
must be informed that the Clergy person is on Sabbatical leave and
of the dates of that leave. The Clergy Person returning from Sabbatical
Leave may wish to 'debrief' with the same consultant.
- Each person planning
a Sabbatical leave must make, together with the vestry or mission
council, arrangements for obtaining supply clergy during his/her absence.
The Parish (or Mission or Diocese) is responsible for paying the supply
Clergy in accordance with the standard Diocesan policy.
Parishes
with more than one Clergy Person on staff and Missions and smaller
Parishes (served by only one Clergy Person) are urged to develop
partnerships with one another regarding supply Clergy during Sabbatical
leave. The larger Parishes may help Missions and smaller Parishes
whose Clergy are on Sabbatical leave by offering to supply Priests
or Deacons at no cost to the smaller Congregations. Limited use
of Morning Prayer with lay leadership is also encouraged in the
smaller congregations whose Clergy person is on Sabbatical Leave.
Institutions (other
than Parishes) which employ clergy are urged to consider implementing
the sabbatical policy as is practicable and appropriate.
-
Each
Parish in this Diocese is strongly encouraged to adopt a Sabbatical
Leave Policy based on the principles and recommendations contained
herein.
- It is not the intent
of these recommendations and policies that the Sabbatical time should
be used as terminal leave or as an occasion for the person on Sabbatical
leave to search for another position. Therefore, it is Diocesan Policy
that any person taking Sabbatical leave will continue in his/her current
position for at least one year after completion of the Sabbatical
leave. Any deviation from this policy must be clearly and openly negotiated
by and amongst the Bishop, the Vestry/Mission Council and the Priest.
|
