Informational Guide about Rev. Neal’s Sabbatical

August 1, 2025–January 31, 2026 — Click here for brochure

Why a Sabbatical?

Sabbatical leave is a time of paid personal leave with the intention of encouraging growth and development in the arts of ministry through education and spiritual renewal. This is a benefit to both the congregation and the minister and works wonders in helping to avoid ministerial burnout and high ministerial turnover rates. A sabbatical is a very old concept that relates to a period of rest, usually after four to six years. The root is from the word “Sabbath”, meaning the day of rest after 6 days of labor.  Sabbatical leave is part of the congregation’s Ministerial Agreement with the Senior Minister.  This period is significant for Rev. Neal and offers a chance for reflection and spiritual growth for the congregation, thus serving as a time of sabbatical for UU Lansing as well. 

Why Now?

Rev. Neal will have completed six years as our Settled Minister at the end of July 2025. Our Ministerial Agreement with Rev. Neal provides for one month of sabbatical for each year of service to the congregation.  Ministry can be spiritually taxing over time, and ministers who don’t take their sabbatical time can burn out and leave the ministry. Providing this opportunity for spiritual rest will help us keep our ministry healthy and will allow Rev. Neal to renew his mind and spirit to continue to serve UU Lansing to the best of his abilities.

Sabbatical Team

A Sabbatical Team was formed to help Rev. Neal and the congregation prepare for this time of sabbatical, serve during the time of sabbatical and prepare for his return on February 1, 2026. You are welcome to contact the team [sabbaticalteam@uulansing.org] with any kudos, questions or concerns.

Team members include:

  • Elizabeth Fedorchuk

  • Deb Feltz  

  • Judy Goth-Owens

  • Lisa Huberty

  • Mary Elaine Kiener

  • Mark McWilliams

  • Laura Ray

In the Pulpit

Services will be held each Sunday morning at 10:30 - both live in the Sanctuary and live-streamed on YouTube.

  • July 27: [Good-bye from Rev. Neal]

  • August 3: Sonya Norris

  • August 10: Mark McWilliams

  • August 17: John-Marc Ormechea

  • August 24: Kathy Lovell         

  • August 31: Lynn and Randy Scott

  • September 7: Water Communion 

  • September 14: Zabby Cox

  • September 21: Covenant of UU Pagans

  • September 28: John-Marc Ormechea

  • October 5: Kelsea Hector

  • October 12: Bay Gaillard

  • October 19: Renee and Bob Swanson

  • October 26: John-Marc Ormechea

  • November 2: Kelsea Hector

  • November 9: Imam Sohail Chaudhry

  • November 16: Steve Pueppke

  • November 23: Cider and Donut Communion for Thanksgiving

  • November 30: John-Marc Ormechea

  • December 7: Nick Rowse

  • December 14: Pop-up Pageant with Sarah Carson and Faith Development

  • December 21: Covenant of UU Pagans

  • December 24: (Christmas Eve)

  • December 28: John-Marc Ormechea

  • January 4: Kathy Lovell

  • January 11: Mark McWilliams

  • January 18: Sonya Norris

  • January 25: John-Marc Ormechea

  • February 1:  Rev. Neal returns!

Church Administration / Operations

While Rev. Neal is away, you will find that our community life continues in much the same way. 

  • Congregational Administrator Katherine Patton will serve as Chief of Staff during Rev. Neal’s sabbatical. (517-351-4081, ext. 107; kpatton@uulansing.org) 

  • L. Harrison Brown will continue as Director of Music and Worship Arts and will serve as the lead for all worship services. (517-351-4081, ext. 105;  music@uulansing.org)

  • Office Assistant Nicole Spetoskey-Gault will continue to be the contact for our newsletter, room reservations and general inquiries. (517-351-4081 ext. 101; office@uulansing.org)

  • Sarah Carson will continue as Children and Youth Faith Development Coordinator. (scarson@uulansing.org)

  • The capable Board of Trustees will continue with the leadership of President Laura Ray.

  • All Teams and Committees will continue to meet.  

Rites of Passage

If congregants wish to hold a wedding, memorial services or child dedication, contact Katherine Patton for assistance. You may also consider scheduling those rites of passage after Rev. Neal returns from sabbatical, if possible.

Pastoral Care

Members seeking supportive listening on spiritual matters are invited to leave a message on our Pastoral Care line: (517) 351-4081 ext. 102. Our Pastoral Care Team members attempt to return all calls within 24 hours.  Typical needs include: 

  • visiting the ill and infirm,

  • supporting those going through major life changes or crises,

  • maintaining contact with those unable to attend church due to health reasons,

  • supporting friends and family involved in caregiving,

  • comforting the bereaved, etc. 

All personal information is held with the highest level of confidentiality and care.

Paying for the Sabbatical

The church will continue to pay Rev. Neal’s salary and certain professional expenses during his sabbatical, per our Ministerial Agreement.  The congregation has set aside money for sabbaticals.  The Board of Trustees has approved a sabbatical spending plan to cover expenses e.g. additional staff time, guest speakers, and emergency pastoral care.

What will Rev. Neal be Doing on his Sabbatical?

Sabbaticals are times for “lying fallow” and seeking rest and renewal. Rev. Neal will use this sabbatical time to rest, travel, parent his boys and renew his spiritual practices so that he can return to us feeling more deeply connected and with a renewed spirit. Rev. Neal also plans to use the time to read both fiction and ministry-related books to deepen his understanding of the current state of literature, religious communities and the current state of the world.