Feast of the Annunciation 2009

Don Hamer is on professional development leave until the middle of May. He is writing occasional posts to this blog to share his experiences and reflections.
Last evening Debbie and I were privileged to join many others (I am not good at estimating large crowds) in honoring David Carson during a reception held in his honor at Hartford Seminary. The reception marked the occasion of the publication of David’s biography, Bow Tie Banker, written by journalist Lenny Grimaldi. Those in attendance included present and former Seminary faculty and board members, civic leaders, including Mayor Eddie Perez, colleagues and friends of David’s and, I am proud to say, many Trinity parishioners. It was a wonderful evening and a great testimony to David’s commitment to family, career, civic responsibility, and at the center of all that, his deep faith in a God who is compassionate and works to bring all things into a divine harmony.
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At the reception last night, a number of people from Trinity expressed surprise that I was attending such an event during my sabbatical. As this is my first sabbatical, or professional development leave, I have had some occasion to reflect on exactly what that is supposed to mean beyond the obvious. Does one have to travel constantly so as not to be seen by others? Should one wear a disguise? (A little facial hair doesn’t do it, apparently.) Should one pretend that one is at least temporarily disassociated from any interest in a vital community to which he will return in approximately three months?

I decided several weeks ago that, for me, at least, none of those considerations are at the heart of what my professional development leave is. I find that as I travel and attend different churches, both locally and away, I am constantly thinking of Trinity and practices I see elsewhere that might be applicable at Trinity. I see programs that give me inspiration for what might be developed in the Asylum Hill neighborhood or in Greater Hartford, and I talk to other civic and religious leaders about their own inspirations. In short, I have come to the conclusion that being on professional development leave has nothing to do with being separated from people whom you love and care for and with whom your life is intimately entwined. No, rather it is being freed from the bond of dealing with the day-to-day “stuff” of administration and planning, leaving that in the capable hands of those who are there. In place of that, I am freed for this period of time to do some concentrated study, re-order my life of prayer, re-connect with family and friends more intimately, do some travelling -- and all the while reflecting on what poet David Whyte calls “the three marriages” of self, family and vocation and how those work together in my life.

More on that to come in the future. Have a blessed Feast of the Annunciation-- the occasion when Mary was visited by an angel and learned of her own special place in the story of God's Kingdom on this earth. Your brother in Christ, Don+