Thursday, April 08, 2010

Time for a short commercial break

This graphic found on the internet, unattributed to an artist.

I was informed yesterday that I have been awarded the position of Procter Scholar at The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts for the Spring Semester 2011, January - May.

I am honored and thrilled beyond the telling.

The award includes full tuition at courses offered through the BTI (Boston Theological Institute, which includes Harvard, BU, etc.), room and board, and the opportunity to work with a faculty adviser.

It's an absolute dream of a sabbatical time for me. I had been working on a proposal for a Lily Foundation Sabbatical Grant and know of some clergy who have gone off for three months to cooking schools in exotic places.

That sounds really great, too, but this . . .well. . .this feels like an itch in my soul that has just begun to be scratched. I'm already hearing something deep inside me saying, "Ahhhh!"

I have two projects I'm planning to work on during my sabbatical.

The primary one is an expansion of the work I started during my doctoral thesis, which defines the spiritual landscape of the process of 'coming out' - which I learned in the early 80s from a stellar faculty of People with AIDS at 'The University of Hospice' - and offers it as a gift to the wider church as a way to heal the ancient rift between spirituality and sexuality.

I think I want to narrow that focus a bit and speak more directly to LGBT people, inviting the wider church to listen into the conversation, if they wish. My working title is, "The Church is not for Sissies." (And, ain't that just the truth!)

The other project? Oh, that would be some rest. Mostly that will take the form of getting off the 'Liturgical Ferris Wheel" for a season and enjoying other people's sermons and liturgical innovations.

I'm looking forward to entering into serendipitous conversations with students in the refectory, and there are a particular few folk on the faculty whose intellectual brain cells I intend to pick in conversations I'm already excited to even begin to think about and imagine. I actually spent about an hour with my thesis last night, writing down questions in the margins.

Excited? Me? You betcha!

I've informed the bishop who is rejoicing with me, and there's already some initial positive buzz from my wardens and vestry who were told late last night, so the news can now officially go forth.

It's going to be a great sabbatical!

I am deeply grateful to the Episcopal Divinity School for this amazing opportunity.

(You may now return to your previously scheduled blogging.)

39 comments:

  1. You got that right! And, may I just add, Woo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Doing the Happy! Happy!, Joy! Joy! dance for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is unbelievably GREAT NEWS!

    It is me Fran, at work, too lazy to sign out of work gmail and into personal account!! I mean too busy!!

    So happy for you!!! My verification word is wooku, which sounds celabratory to me!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so glad you took time out to rejoice with me, Fran. We'll have to plan a visit in Boston. You'd LOVE EDS.

    ReplyDelete
  5. mozel tov!

    You will stay in touch right?

    Congrats!


    FWIW
    jimB

    ReplyDelete
  6. Try to stop me from blogging, Jim. ;~)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Elizabeth- let me simply say that we do think alike!! That thought had already taken root in my mind the minute I read this. And rejoicing with you I am indeed!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations! I'm about a 20-minute walk from EDS and often stop by to use the library and attend events. Perhaps our paths may cross.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations! I had a great sabbatical at EDS in the fall of 2008.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful news, Elizabeth! Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What wonderful news, Elizabeth. Your plans sound like they'll feed your mind, body and soul. And I'm intrigued by your project. Woo Hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  12. First,Congratulations and HOORAY!

    Second, I want to read both your earlier dissertation and this work ... where do I look?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Preacher1 and Elaine - Well, I have been very careful about my dissertation because I was warned by the faculty that original thoughts like this are special prey to plagiarism. It is published and I have a copy and one is in the library at Drew. As soon as I get the work finished and accepted by a publisher, well, you'll hear it here first.

    ReplyDelete
  14. (does the HUGE Happy Dance!)

    Woo Hoo! TBTG!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good for you! Hope it is a productive and rejuvenating time!

    I get a sabbatical next fall (first one in 17 years of faculty service). I am going back into the lab so I'll be in residence, just not teaching or administering. And I plan to switch off the voicemail on my phone. (Alas the days of being able to swan off to Europe for one's sabbatical for a year are mostly gone, since my spouse doesn't get sabbaticals and my university will only pay me for a semester).

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congratulations! That is fantastic news... lucky them, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations, Elizabeth.

    I'm sure you'll make the best use of this opportunity possible. Blessings and most of all, have fun!

    Now for the hard part: having to live life as usual until it starts!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yea, verily!!! You deserve this one! Glad my seminary has the good sense to do this!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been away all day. Just turned on the computer and got this good news! FANTASTIC!!! Lucky you! Many blessings and congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Another happy dance here--sissy style as well! This is great news and I am particularly pleased for you. Ten years ago I actually got a winter sabbatical for 3 months in the south and came back wonderfully refreshed and well-read. All hail to you!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations! I am looking forward to reading some of your published work. May the Holy spirit guide you in your endeavor.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is great news, Elizabeth! I hope your time at EDS is even better than you're imagining.

    -- Chris V.W.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I give the solemn and sacred

    HUZZAH!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is wonderful news, congratulations!
    I hope you won't give up blogging during your sabbatical?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congrats. i am too, looking forward to your work and words in a published form. Would love to know your reading list for preparation and such when you get to that stage.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congratulations! I look forward to reading your thoughts on spirituality and sexuality.

    ReplyDelete
  27. ¡Felicidades, Reverenda! This is great news.
    I have a daughter and several granchiles in Boston, so we may be in the neighborhood sometime next year.

    ReplyDelete
  28. "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!"

    Well, I came close, didn't I?

    Congratulations, dear Elizabeth. Oh, what fun! Of course, you'll need to do a little work from time to time.

    Seriously, your work sounds exciting. People's stories carry such power, if only the wider church will listen.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hallelujah and prayers for you dear Sister!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Well, don't try to sit still--get up and dance with joy! You deserve it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaahhhhwwwww!!! So very happy for you. This break came at a very good time ... and you will soak up all that the changed environment will offer!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Many congratulations, Elizabeth, from a new reader of your wonderful blog.
    Blessings,
    Laurel

    ReplyDelete
  33. That's fantastic. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete

Comment Code of Conduct

I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for every member of this online community, especially toward those with whom I disagree—even if I feel disrespected by them. (Romans 12:17-21)

I will express my disagreements with other community members' ideas without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22)

I will not exaggerate others' beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt. (Ephesians 4:29)

I understand that comments reported as abusive are reviewed by the Blog Owner and are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked from making further comments. (Proverbs 18:7)

(With thanks to Sojourners)