Refreshed for Ministry: Returning from Sabbatical

by Rev. Jacqueline Pagel
Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation

Sabbatical was wonderful. I look forward to seeing the many ways this time of refreshment will help me continue building leaders for our church.

Thank you all for your prayers, support, and Facebook likes as I stepped away from my work laptop. There was some concern that my travels might be overly ambitious and that I would return needing a vacation from my vacation! I have dreamed of visiting Portugal since I was a teenager, and I wanted to see all there was to see. My dream came true, and it was even more beautiful than I imagined.

It was a gift to get away immediately as my sabbatical began. Surely, there is some piri piri chicken I missed, another port I should have sampled, and plenty of tile patterns I did not get to ooh and ahh over. Still, my heart is full, and I have memories to last until next time.

My time with family in the United States could not be beat. It was a wonderful reminder of the blessings that come with being related. Ending my time away by confirming that I prefer an ocean beach to a lake beach was just the right thing to do.

As I return and get back into the groove of things, I want to offer specific thanks to Deacon Laura Book for keeping the Synod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT) moving and helping our Youth & Family Ministry — Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA grow. I also offer special thanks to Candidacy Committee Chair Mr. Nick Pegelow of Faith Lutheran Church in Phoenix, who kept our 20 SAMs and candidacy candidates on track—especially the five people who will come for interviews at the end of September.

Bishop Deborah often reminds us that ministry is a team sport. I am grateful to play alongside all of you and to be part of this winning team. I look forward to seeing the many ways the Grand Canyon Synod and ELCA Churchwide thrive because we value sabbath and understand that healthy ministry includes time for rest and renewal.

The Bishop’s Fall Gathering, First Call Accompaniment, a beautiful holiday season, and opportunities to do it all again are upon us. I am excited to get back to it all.