July 1st, 2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Director of Faith Formation’s (DFF) service to the congregation. The Board has approved a sabbatical period of July 3, 2026 – October 3, 2026 to mark this occasion. Taking an opportunity to rest, reflect, and imagine during a sabbatical will help our DFF, Pam Lepley, prepare for her remaining years of service in this role with our Fellowship.
As Pam prepares for the sabbatical time, she shares these thoughts:
“Over the past couple of months I have spent time thinking about, and doing some looking into, different spiritual practices which interest me and which I might explore more in-depth during Sabbatical. I’m particularly drawn to Stillness as a spiritual practice – and it isn’t something that I have been able to allow time for – or that I have prioritized – in my life. My mind has been overcome with busyness. I look forward to the opportunity to reset and nourish my mind and spirit while seeking out opportunities to challenge my body with movement, and to experience the joy and wonder of our natural world.”
Click here for interesting reading with additional resources about Stillness as a Spiritual Practice.
You may be wondering…
“What happens during the Sabbatical time?”
Five Intentions for the Sabbatical
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- Rest in the quiet, in a hammock, near the water…..a time to recalibrate mentally and physically, to be rested and ready for whatever is to come next.
- Travel, particularly to National and State Parks to explore the natural beauty, reviving my sense of awe and wonder.
- Explore personal spiritual practices as well as worship opportunities at other congregations (UU and otherwise).
- Reflect, through wondering and writing, taking time to think about and integrate new awareness and learning.
- Imagine, how might our faith formation/religious education program evolve to center families and support their (family and individual) spiritual and faith development? How might the role of this professional religious educator shift to widen the circle, prepare for deeper collaboration, and support the shift from ‘I’ to ‘We’?
“Who is holding the work of RE/Faith Formation?”
Sabbatical Support Team: We have a great Team providing support during this planning time and they will hold the primary work for children and youth faith formation this summer. Team Members include: Andrea and Mason Vaughan, Liz Martinez, Heather Zielinski, and Anne Garvey. You can reach them at sabbaticalteam@uufws.org
Sabbatical Coverage Faith Formation Assistant: Willa Carpenter, a teacher in our Elementary Class will be providing 5 hour/week coverage during the sabbatical. Their primary responsibilities will include: support for the Sabbatical Support Team, Support for teacher and nursery staff and volunteers, contact for questions about faith formation program – and liaising between the program and Rev. Kayla, Minister. They will also be taking on a summer project of cleaning out and organizing our RE Hallways space. You can reach them at willa@uufws.org from July 3 – October 3rd 2026.
Minister Rev. Kayla Parker and Staff: Rev. Kayla will work with the Staff Team to ensure that any Faith Formation/Religious Education work or issues which need attention are addressed. Justice Ministry efforts will be held by Rev. Kayla, Minister and Adult Faith Formation by Caron Armstrong, Director of Congregational Life.
Teams and Councils for which the DFF is the Staff Lead: Pam is working with the Teams and Councils in these areas of governance to prepare for the sabbatical period. The Team and Council Lay Leads are equipped to continue their programs and projects while Pam is away and they can always reach out to other Staff and the Minister if needed.
“Really….no contact with Pam for three months?”
Rev. Kayla will be able to contact Pam in the event of a true emergency.
Otherwise, members and friends are asked to wait until Pam returns to reach out.
If you’re really curious during the sabbatical summer about “where in the world is our DFF?” you are invited to check out the Sabbatical Photo Journal while she’s away.
“How can I help?”
Oh my goodness, we’re so glad you asked! Keep alert for other specific asks and ways to sign up coming out soon. Know that we will gratefully accept all kinds of help, including:
“What happens when Pam returns in October?”
The Sabbatical Support Team and Pam are in conversation about that now!
Three things we already know:
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- Pam will share about her time away at a Sabbatical Lunch and Learn:
My Next 30 Years on Sunday October 4th, from 12:30-2:00pm. Sign up by September 30!
Gather to celebrate the return of our Director of Faith Formation as she shares some of her sabbatical experiences and how they might help shape the next thirty years of her life and ministry.
- October 5-21 will be a time for Pam to reconnect with the Staff Team and lay leaders in her area of governance, as well as catch up on Fellowship happenings while away. The sabbatical will have been a time of growth and change for all of us. Sharing and learning from one another will help us move forward together with shared understanding and purpose.
- After this whirlwind reintegration, Pam will take a vacation with her favorite only cousin to the happiest place on earth during the last week of October. After the intentional time in October for listening and sharing post-sabbatical, she’ll be back and focused more actively on programming in November.
