Rev. Joanne Anquist: Sabbatical Update
Please enjoy this update from Rev. Joanne as she lets us know what she has been up to on her sabbatical.
May started off with Chinook Winds Conference. I am on the Executive, so my attendance was required. It was great to attend in person – see old friends and make some new ones! More encouraging was the work of the Region and how the Regional Staff are making a big difference in the lives of the folks with whom they minister. The worship was energetic with the help of the Naked Faith Band and thoughtful leadership from around the Region. Janet Gear spoke on the Theological Banquet – the different ways that United Churches express their faith (you might remember we did a series on this last year at McDougall!) We also voted to become an Affirming Region. Rachel Nadon was commissioned on Sunday (although I was not able to make that service). This was the first time I’ve been back in a large gathering, and we did wear masks in the main session but ate lunch together, elbow to elbow! The food was great, but I guess it’s no surprise I ended up with COVID upon my return. (Although it seems others escaped it, so not sure exactly where I picked it up!) I had about two weeks of COVID symptoms – varying degrees of chills, very bad cold, and general tiredness. Put a real kink in my sabbatical plans!
I was also able to attend online classes on filmmaking through SAIT, and Orthodox Theology of The Church through the Institute for Orthodox Studies. I realized I am not a filmmaker, and don’t aspire to be one – but I have a much better understanding of the complexity of putting together videos and programs. It’s much easier to just film a livestreamed event! The Orthodox Studies gave me a great appreciation for their tradition, and highlighted for me the importance of the Body of Christ – not just as a metaphor, but as an organism through which Christ’s energy pulsates. In particular, communion as a physical act of the Body of Christ was explored, and that is a new expression of our Remembrance that I will continue to ponder.
However, the Orthodox Tradition is much more conservative in their scholarship than our United Church seminaries, and so I have decided to use the last two months of my sabbatical time taking courses from Vancouver School of Theology and St. Andrew’s in Saskatoon. I’m currently enrolled in a class called “Engaging Christian Theology with Science” lead by David Wilkinson from the UK who is a professor in Astro Physics at Durham University, as well as a Methodist Minister. It has been very informative as he draws the connection between Creation and New Creation in Biblical thought, and the importance of engaging science theologically.
Later this month I will be taking a course on building digital communities, and in July courses on Open and Relational Theology, the Roots of Orthodoxy and the Gospel of Mark. Lots to learn and I’m looking forward to it.
Perhaps the most important part of my sabbatical has been rest, and the experience of a different rhythm – more expansive time to just reflect and consider how God is working in my life and in our church. I trust this will allow me to return refreshed and excited about how we can be the Body of Christ to each other and to our neighborhood.
Trust all is well with you all! Enjoy these beautiful days.
Joanne
To learn more about Rev. Joanne Anquist’s Sabbatical please read this blog post.