The Village Church

Sabbatical 2023

As the calendar flipped to June 1st, I found myself stepping into my second sabbatical. For those of you who might not know me, I’m Pastor Eric, and I’ve been humbly serving the Village for 22 years, a milestone I reached on June 1, 2023. Now, a ‘sabbatical,’ according to the Oxford dictionary, is typically a stretch of paid leave given to a university professor or other professional to indulge in studies, travel, and such—traditionally a year for every seven years worked.

However, my own sabbatical won’t span a year. In fact, as I’m penning this, I’m rounding off the second month of my sabbatical, with my return to work slated for August 1st. For me, a sabbatical carries a more personal meaning. It’s an opportunity to pause, to rest, and to seek a deeper connection with Jesus. It’s a time for me to address and recalibrate those parts of my life that I’ve perhaps been unintentionally overlooking, such as regular exercise, house repairs, and most importantly, extended quality time with my family.

But it’s not all about introspection and home improvement. My sabbatical is also a fertile time for me to dive headlong into creative projects, engaging that part of me that thirsts for innovation and expression. So, in the spirit of sharing, I’ve crafted this webpage. Consider it a window into my world during these intriguing sabbatical days, a platform to let you, my beloved Village, in on all the intriguing and delightful adventures I’ve been undertaking.