Returning with Gratitude
Yesterday was my first official day back from Sabbatical! The feelings of returning to work after a six month break are difficult to summarize in a short blog post! At the top of the list, though, is a feeling of profound gratitude. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees and President Markham for granting me a sabbatical at the end of my time as Acting Dean and President.
I was called to lead GTS during a time of extraordinary transition: the immediate aftermath of a pandemic, the launch of an entirely new program model, the completion of a major affiliation. These were exciting, but challenging and I don’t think I knew at the time just how badly I needed a break.
I began the sabbatical with grand visions of writing monographs and stacks of articles, though six months later most of these are either still very much in draft form, or on hold, or just simmering in the back of my mind. But accomplishing stacks of writing really isn’t the point of a sabbatical which is, after all, grounded in the spirit of Sabbath.
As an extended Sabbath, my sabbatical proved to be more restful and restorative than I could have ever imagined - and exactly what I needed! I rekindled old passions (like pottery),I learned new hobbies (I’m a terrible golfer, it turns out, but I have a great deal of fun), and I enjoyed time with my family and friends, both here in the City and across the country.
Returning to work, I feel recharged, renewed, and hopeful for what lies ahead. I’m particularly eager for our second (full!) cohort of Hybrid MDiv students to begin in a few days. In fact, by Sunday evening, at the 201st Matriculation service, General will have more students matriculated into our MDiv program than we have had in nearly a decade!
With my new chapter at GTS starting this week, I begin with gratitude for what is behind and hopeful anticipation for what lies ahead.
Dean Michael
The Very Rev. Michael W. DeLashmutt, Ph.D.
Dean of the Chapel of the Good ShepherdSenior Vice President