Pastor pursues ‘wellness and wonder’ after receiving sabbatical grant funding

When it comes to fostering spiritual well-being, the Reverend Dr. Hilary Livingston, pastor at Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church in Newark, Delaware, takes a holistic approach. Physical activity is a key part of her spiritual practice, and the pastor takes care to integrate hiking, walking, and other forms of exercise into her routine.

Rest is another part of Rev. Livingston’s healthy living practice — but making time and finding resources to rest well and renew herself holistically is often easier said than done. That’s why Rev. Livingston decided to apply for the Sabbath Sabbatical Support grant offered through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions to supplement funding she received from her presbytery for a 14-week sabbatical.

Renewing wonder in creation

While the idea of a sabbatical is derived from the biblical concept of Sabbath — “... and on the seventh day, God rested” — its purpose is to encourage God’s servants not only to rest, but also to step out of their everyday lives and refresh their point of view. In line with its commitment to support the wholeness of its members, the Board of Pensions provides Sabbath Sabbatical Support grants to eligible ministers taking sabbaticals so they can disengage from the regular tasks of their ministry, take part in planned activities for personal and professional renewal, and bring new gifts to the communities they serve from a rejuvenated perspective.

 

And with that purpose in mind, Rev. Livingston set out to see new places in the world, renewing her sense of wonder in God’s creation with a 34-day trip to the western United States. Combining self-guided travel with group tours, she visited nine national parks across seven states, plus many state parks.

“It is nearly impossible not to feel a sense of awe standing next to a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon,” she said.

She punctuated her time hiking and adventuring with quieter moments of reflection, too, spending time in communion with God at a Franciscan retreat center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Bringing new perspectives to service

While traveling, Rev. Livingston attended two cultural presentations from members of the Navajo and Lakota nations. In both presentations, she heard firsthand stories about the experience of being indigenous to the Americas.

 

She recalled the story of a Lakota man who spoke to the group about growing up in a Christian boarding school, where he was taught to feel ashamed of his heritage because it wasn’t considered compatible with Christian faith. Rev. Livingston was struck by the man’s story and inspired by his resilience.

“It was such a joy to watch him dance in his Lakota regalia with such pride and reverence for his culture,” she said. “As a white American, I was convicted of the need to respect indigenous people and their culture and work for justice, righting the wrongs of the past wherever I can.”

Rev. Livingston’s travels also expanded her perspective on the natural sites and resources to which we have been entrusted by God. In addition to building a strengthened reverence for indigenous histories and cultures, she renewed her convictions around our responsibility to become better stewards of our land and resources, learning more about conservation and developing thoughtful awareness of her own consumption habits.

Finding awe in the everyday

After her travels across the U.S., Rev. Livingston returned home to rest for the remainder of her sabbatical. In her return, however, she turned her awe from the grand natural sites she visited toward her everyday life.

“I hope to continue to cultivate the sense of awe and wonder I experienced during my travels here at home, whether it is in hearing the church choir sing an inspiring anthem, walking through the wooded trails near my neighborhood, or simply enjoying the simple pleasure of a hot cup of tea and a good conversation with a friend,” she said, reflecting on her time pursuing wholeness close to home. “I hope God will continue to open my eyes to the awe and wonder around me every day.”

Nurturing her relationships with friends and family, exploring natural sites close to home with day trips, and visiting museums and cultural institutions nearby, Rev. Livingston has made finding wonder in her surroundings a part of her self-care routine.

“As I return to the regular routines of ministry, I want to continue to practice self-care, taking intentional time for rest and wellness habits that will keep me healthy and recharged for years to come,” she said. “I want to continue the practices of prayer, journaling, hiking, and spending time in nature that refreshed my body and soul over my sabbatical.”

A refreshed return to ministry

While Rev. Livingston refreshed her perspective during her sabbatical, her congregation was experiencing a refresh, too. The congregants at Head of Christiana worshiped under the guidance of a bridge pastor, whose different approach to ministry brought a new spirit to the church.

 

“I think the congregation benefitted from having a different perspective and leadership style,” she said.

Rev. Livingston expressed deep gratitude to her congregation, whose support gave her the opportunity to take this sabbatical. “I would also like to thank New Castle Presbytery and The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for providing generous financial support to make this experience possible,” she noted.

As a token of gratitude to her congregation for supporting her sabbatical, the returned pastor gifted a new cross to her church, which she purchased from an artist she met during her travels. The cross, hand-carved from a Saguaro cactus branch and accented with Sleeping Beauty turquoise, serves as a reminder to Rev. Livingston and the community she serves that renewal, rest, and new perspectives are integral parts of our spiritual wellness.