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“We cease not only from work itself, but also from our efforts to be in control of our lives as if we were God… In response to the grace of God, we gladly embrace our calling in life, and in the fullness of healing brought by our relations with God, we can embrace the wholeness of God’s shalom.” (Martha Dawn’s Keeping Sabbath Wholly)

April and May 2026 will be a this season to be renewed, refreshed and revitalized by the breath of God.  May we risk allowing the Spirit to move in us and call out more from us.

St. David’s congregation challenge for this sabbatical is to

share our gifts and talents in the area Leigh usually leads: worship.

In April and May, we will practice the “Sharing of and Listening to Faith Stories.”  From the fruit of the November Congregational Retreat, we will have more voices from the pulpit and more people helping to create worship.  Please join in this discipline.

Leigh’s challenge for this sabbatical:

To fully rely on God to take care of all of St. David’s folks

and to re-learn to listen for God’s still, quiet voice

in prayer, writing, moving and resting.

Pray: She will spend time on Bowen Island, Mount St. Francis retreat center (Cochrane, AB) and Providence Center (Edmonton) learning more about and experiencing deeper contemplative prayer.  She will have as lead in this a Spiritual Director who asks question such as, “Where is God moving in you and your life? “

Write:  Rev. Leigh will explore how writing can be included in her life.  work through a prayerful “writers process” (Anne Janzer).  She will create congregational program guides based on St. David’s experiences of the Alphabet of Faith year and the current program year on Discipleship Practices.  These will be shared with the wider church.

Move/Rest: She will continue to learn to listen to and care for her body through turning off her alarms and resting with friends and family as well as exploring fitness through dance, hiking and travelling.

Rev. Leigh’s and St. David’s sabbatical will begin on April 5, 2026 after our Easter Worship service and will return on June 1, 2026 and lead worship again starting June 7, 2026.