Some History of the Sabbatical

Have you ever wondered why peoples of the Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) specify one day out the week to not work and to pray together? Although we may designate a different day (Sunday, Saturday, and Friday, respectively) to do this, it is due to our common origin in faith – observing the Sabbath: “16Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. 17It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” -Exodus 31 (NRSV)

Jewish Observance

You might be interested in how our Jewish sisters and brothers consider this today: From my favorite source on practicing Judaism: http://www.jewfaq.org/shabbat.htm:

“The Sabbath (or Shabbat, as it is called in Hebrew) is one of the best known and least understood of all Jewish observances…to those who observe Shabbat, it is a precious gift from God, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits.”


“Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. It is the only ritual observance instituted in the Ten Commandments. Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the root Shin-Beit-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest.”

Another way that we observe Sabbath, although this is not a common practice, is that in our professional life we designate a time to cease, to end and to rest. We call this Sabbatical. It is when one takes the time to break away from the routines of life and work to rest, to refresh, to rejuvenate. (In today’s world I only know of two professions that still acknowledge or observe this practice: the Church, and collegiate academia.)

Seven Years

We encourage our clergy to take a Sabbatical every seven years. (So 6½ years from now we should be encouraging Mtr. Lisa to go on Sabbatical.) It is not vacation – it is far more intentional for renewal of direction, gifts of the Spirit, and study, as well as for rest.

It’s Time

In my twenty-five years as a deacon, I have taken one Sabbatical. I feel that it is time (way past time, actually) for me go on Sabbatical, now that St. James has a rector. I have not worked out details around this yet, except that I am planning to do this after our Easter celebration. I will work with Loraine, Bp. Miller, and Mtr. Lisa on this and will pass on the details as we get them set. I ask you to pray for me as we discern how best to use this opportunity to refresh and renew.

Deacon Terry Garner