A Sabbatical for the Rev. Dr. Leigh Spruill

Dear friends,

I am writing to communicate that I will be on temporary sabbatical leave from May 1 to July 15 later this year. I am privileged and excited about this opportunity and share some general reflections on the nature of a sabbatical as well as my plans for this time away.

Etymologically, the word sabbatical comes from the Hebrew word shabath from which we also get the word Sabbath. It is found in Genesis 1, wherein God rested on the seventh day of creation. It means “he rested.” The concept is woven into the very fabric of creation. The critical spiritual principle at work here is that sabbatical time is resting in the goodness of God and experiencing renewal in his call. As you have heard me say before, a central aspect of the creation ordinance is that we are meant to work from rest rather than rest from work. Jesus speaks of this reality when he famously employs the metaphor of the branch and the vine: “every branch that bears fruit [the vinedresser] prunes that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Thus, a sabbatical is meant to be an intentional time of pruning to enter a new season of even greater fruitfulness.

I am very grateful to our 2025 vestry for authorizing this ten-week sabbatical. It has been 13 years since I had the only sabbatical of my ordained career. I was scheduled to take another one in 2020, but the pandemic that year, followed by a move to Houston, delayed those plans! Parish leadership thinks it is wise for me to take a sabbatical in 2026 before our construction project commences rather than waiting until it is completed. I am also thankful for those in leadership when I was called to be rector, who included language in my Letter of Agreement about sabbatical time.

My sabbatical theme will focus on learning from historic periods of revitalization and revival in the Church of England. Following a conference in London in early May and a pilgrimage to Italy with parishioners in mid-May, Susalee and I will spend time in Oxford, England, as guests of Wycliffe Hall, with whom St. John the Divine has a relationship. In addition to enjoying the academic resources and worship life at Wycliffe, I will engage in some independent study. Following the residency in Oxford, Susalee and I plan to travel to Cornwall and then to Wales for 10 days of sightseeing related to historic revivals in those parts of the UK. The sabbatical will conclude with visits to family in Virginia and South Carolina, and I will be back at SJD by mid-July.

We have an outstanding staff who will keep things running smoothly in my absence. I am indebted in advance to my Executive Team, who will lead staff and programming during the sabbatical, as well as to our dedicated vestry, led by Senior Warden Louise Symmes.

Once more, I am grateful and excited to step away for a purposeful time of just receiving from God and praying over a renewed vision for our parish life. I do not take this opportunity for granted and thank you so much in advance for your prayers and encouragement.

In Christ, 
Leigh

The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill, Rector

Dear St. John the Divine Family,

On behalf of the vestry, I am writing to share our full and enthusiastic support for Leigh’s upcoming sabbatical. This biblical and church tradition enables Leigh to “rest” from his duties at St. John the Divine so that he can return and continue to lead us with the wisdom, grace, and energy by which we have been so richly blessed.
Leigh and Susalee welcome your prayers during this sabbatical time. Pray for their safe travel, wisdom to hear God’s direction for pruning and growth, and a refreshment of their souls. This will also be a time for each of us to reflect on how God might be calling us to prune or to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The vestry, along with our amazing staff and clergy, will remain fully available to you while Leigh takes a break from the joys and challenges of parish life. Then in July, we will look forward to a reunion with Leigh and Susalee and the new season of fruitful ministry that will follow.
Thank you always for your prayers, partnership, and encouragement of Leigh and our entire clergy and staff at St. John the Divine.

In Christ,
Louise Symmes, Senior Warden