Up, Up, and Away!

In just a few days, I’ll begin my 2012 sabbatical.  The church I serve, Middleton Community United Church of Christ, included it in my call agreement in 2001—a three-month sabbatical every five years.

I certainly have some learning goals for my time away, but the more immediate and exciting one is a seven-week trip to England and Scotland.  Stephanie and I will be flying out of Chicago O’Hare Airport on June 1, arriving in Dublin, Ireland, for a brief layover, then heading to Manchester, where we’ll begin our English travels.  We’ll be visiting every part of England—north, east, south, and west—before returning to Manchester on June 29, when Steph flies back to the US.  I stay on for three more weeks—the first one with the Iona Community in Scotland and the other two in the city of Leicester, my family’s ancestral home.

I’ve been planning this trip since late in 2010, so there’s been a lot of time for the anticipation to build.  Less than two weeks until we leave—I can’t wait!

Sunday, May 20, was my final Sunday at MCC before the start of the sabbatical.  This week will be taken up with the few loose ends that remain.  Pretty soon, it’ll be the final check of our arrangements, filling the suitcases, saying goodbye to our children and families, and then—takeoff!

This blog will be my trip journal.  As often as I’m able, I’ll post descriptions, reflections, and pictures of the various destinations and experiences.  I hope you’ll be able to share the experience with us!