Dear St. John’s community,
We are writing to share that our Rector Lisa Wiens Heinsohn will be taking a planned four- month sabbatical more than a year from now, over the summer of 2026. This sabbatical is an expected part of her and any Rector’s tenure with us (as it is with clergy in many other churches and denominations). Her Letter of Agreement offers this four-month paid sabbatical after every six years of service, which Lisa reached in October 2024. The purpose of Lisa’s sabbatical is rest, refreshment and renewal for future ministry at St. John’s. The St. John’s vestry fully supports Lisa to take this sabbatical and enjoy it. We are grateful for Lisa’s leadership and steadfast commitment to St. John’s, and believe this time will help Lisa remain strong, inspired, and re-energized for ministry at St. John’s.
Lisa’s vision for her upcoming sabbatical is to deepen her love for the Earth, and to connect with God through the natural world. Following the footsteps of Jesus and John the Baptist, Lisa will spend time in the wilderness, which in the Bible is always the place people go to hear the voice of God. St. John’s is applying for a Lilly Foundation grant to both cover the cost of her time away and also fund special activities for Lisa in pursuit of this vision, such as a long-desired family trip to beautiful Iceland, an exploration of Celtic spirituality in the sacred places of Ireland and Scotland, and extended solo and family time in the wilderness areas of the Minnesota north woods. Lisa plans to engage in these activities in some fashion regardless of whether the grant is awarded or not. During Lisa’s time away, St. John’s will continue its usual worship services and schedule. In addition, the people of St. John’s will be encouraged to engage in the natural beauty of God’s creation as well, through intentional reflection and prayer outside (perhaps in the night music of lakeside peepers), Wild Church, exploring earth-based spiritualities or indigenous cultures, or other ways you connect with God outside. After the sabbatical is over, Lisa intends to return to St John’s to harvest the fruit of our mutual exploration together, and we
expect this to inspire many aspects of our common life: preaching, Wild Church, Earth Matters, and learning to find God in the cathedral of pine trees, lakes and rocks.
Although this sabbatical is still more than a year away, we want to hear your hopes for Lisa and for St. John’s through this experience. What benefits do you see for her and for the St. John’s community through this period of rest and renewal? What resonates with you about her vision to follow Jesus’ footsteps to the wilderness to connect deeply with the Earth and with God? Your answers will be summarized in our grant application and are an important part of determining its success. Please take time to share your thoughts with your Senior and Junior Wardens, Heidi Weaver and Kari Rusch-Curl, and with Dick Howard, Chair of the Sabbatical Team preparing Lisa and our church for this special time.
With prayers for joy, renewal and blessing for Lisa and St. John’s,
Heidi, Kari and Dick
Wardens of St. John’s Vestry and Sabbatical Team Chair
