• Home
  • Contact
  • Finding Us
  • Room Hire
  • Safeguarding
facebook
rss
twitter
  • Home
  • About us
    • Our Vision
    • Who’s Who
    • Finding Out About Christianity
    • Safeguarding
  • Visit Us
    • Finding Us
    • Room Hire
    • Giving
    • Heritage
      • Family History Research
    • Tea Lounge
    • School Visits
    • Children and Young People
  • What’s On
  • Prayer & Worship
    • Church Services
    • Sermon Recordings
    • Healing on the Streets (HOTS)
    • Worship Theme
    • Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
  • Community
    • Groups
    • Children and Young People
    • Regular giving plan
    • Vacancies and Volunteering
    • Online Exhibition
    • Arts
  • Centre for Health & Healing

Stewart’s Blog – So what is a sabbatical?

March 12, 2013
by Stewart Jones
1 Comment

In July 1988 a man called Barry Rogerson, then Bishop of Bristol put his hands on my head and ordained me into the clergy of the Church of England. I was ordained with the name Stephen which was fine except I’m Stewart and maybe that’s why it has taken me 25 years to have a sabbatical. (Stephen Jones has had all the other ones I might have taken with apologies to any real Rev Stephen Jones’ who have had sabbaticals.)

But what exactly is a sabbatical? Is it just a middle class word for a long holiday and if so why not just say a long holiday? Or is it extended study leave with holiday as well? For me it has been a much needed escape from the tyranny of email, telephone, meetings, people and sermon writing and a chance to simply find me again. Not all of what I do is a tyranny but after 25 years of trying and often failing to preach the gospel, lead a number of churches, work for the past two Archbishops ( new one not included. I know nothing about him except what I read) and countless other stuff that clergy do I was in a place that felt more tyrannical than blessed. So the sabbatical began on Jan 1st 2013 and what an oasis it has been. God bless the diocese of Birmingham, my staff colleagues and the people of St Martin in the Bull Ring for allowing me this gift.

It began badly. My Mum died on Christmas Day so a trip to Scotland for the funeral took up week one. I thought about getting funeral cards for the guests to feel better. Spent quite a lot of time working through my emotions as I was not close to my Mum but she was my Mum. Still not really sorted that one out but working on it. The plan for the three months ahead of me was to spend time reflecting on preaching (which I have done and which will make up future sabbatical blogs) but often found myself being led down other paths particularly thinking on discipleship both personal and church. Again possible future blog to explain more.

The one thing that has been wonderful throughout this sabbatical has been the chance to read. I am a keen but slow reader and having the time to sit and read without thinking I have to rush off somewhere has been brilliant. I have rediscovered my love of fiction, biography and theology and I have said to myself I must not let this pleasure get lost in an over busy diary when I re-enter the world of ministry with all its joys and terrors. Add to this a chance to go to the cinema more often has been food for the soul like no other. It has allowed me to be me and with the time to reflect I have actually concluded I quite like me faults, foibles and all.

So what is a sabbatical? For me a place to find who I am and that isn’t Stephen but Stewart.

Image: Untitled by Smithsonian Institution on Flickr

About the Author
Rev Canon Stewart Jones, Rector. I am a scot who has been ordained for 24 years. I have been the Rector at St Martin in the Bull Ring for 7 years. Prior to moving to Birmingham I was in Canterbury, Kent where I served as Archbishop’s chaplain for 6 years as well as working in a parish. I am married to Julie and we have three children; Naomi, Sandy and Jess. I enjoy sport (watching only!); films and reading. I am trying to learn about gardening but am better at making mistakes than actually growing anything.
Social Share
  • google-share
One Comment
  1. John Homer August 9, 2013 at 7:55 pm Reply

    Hope your sabbatical has gone well Stewart. I’m quite surprised you’re still there! All the best to you and yours.

    John.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Worship Theme
  • Church Services
  • Our Vision
  • Arts
  • Online Exhibition
  • Children and Young People
  • Groups
  • Regular giving plan
  • Healing on the Streets (HOTS)
  • Vacancies and Volunteering
  • Annual Reports
  • Electoral Roll
  • Join the Mailing List

@inthebullring

Tweets by @inthebullring

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • August 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012

Contact Details

St Martin in the Bullring
Edgbaston Street
Birmingham
B5 5BB

Church
0121 600 6020
office@bullring.org

Counselling in the Bulling
(Centre for Health & Healing)
0121 600 6025
counselling@smchh.co.uk
http://www.smchh.co.uk
Counselling Contact form

Policies

  • Whistleblowing
  • Safeguarding
  • Data Privacy Notice
  • Complaints

Facebook

Facebook

Instagram

St Martin’s Instagram Feed

Tweets by @inthebullring

YouTube

St Martin’s YouTube Channel: Join us for church online