Getting Ready for Sabbatical 2025

I’ve said before that preparation for a long journey is just as important as the journey itself. This time it’s been interesting. I have been preparing the trip, getting my gear together and making sure that I have the right amount of stuff. I’m packing much lighter than I did in 2017, and I feel that will be a blessing.

A pilgrimage is about the journey rather than the destination. I want to be "free" to experience the pilgrimage "by the Spirit," so I think it's important not to plan every segment of the trip. There are places I’d like to go that I didn’t have the opportunity to go in 2017 because of weather or other obstacles.

I have entitled the sabbatical: A Pilgrimage of Reconnection and Renewal: An Episcopal Priest’s Journey to the Four Corners. Therefore, I will attempt to reach the four corners of the contiguous United States on my journey and offer prayers at the four corners. 

I have planned out a route that begins here in Greeneville, TN and goes East into North Carolina and then turns South toward Key West, up the west coast of Florida and across the southern states into the broad piece of Texas, then North. Headed up toward the Dakotas and west across Montana and to Washington State. From there, down the coast through Oregon and California and pick up the southwestern terminus of Route 66. Ride 66 up to Chicago and go into Wisconsin. Across the northern states into New England then head south toward Virginia. Back up to Pennsylvania for some “Grandson time.” Then head South toward home through the Appalachian Mountains taking the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.

A big challenge for me during the pilgrimage remains to try to unplug from my responsibilities completely and find a focus in order to recharge. This will help me come back fresh and be ready to re-engage in ministry with the good people of St. James. As I learned before, for an extreme extrovert like myself, the solitude that the pilgrimage brings will be difficult, but I know God is with me.

I have compiled an extensive reading list for the trip. I will share what I am reading in future posts. I plan to worship at different places while I am gone. I will post my reflections and experiences here in this blog. I will continue my language study of Spanish and German with DuoLingo.

My blog posts will include my personal challenges as well as challenges that I see for St. James. This coming Sunday is the 6th Sunday of Easter and my last Sunday in the pulpit for 18 weeks. Please pray for my safety and for a fruitful journey for us all.

Peace - Ken+

Location: Greeneville, TN, USA

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM

    Wishing you a fulfilling sabbatical Ken—and that you have a wonderful journey filled with beautiful landscape, new friends, good food, and new insight. I am looking forward to reading all future posts. —Shea :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 29, 2025 at 10:41 AM

    This is one heck of a trip, Ken. Looking forward to your updates! Bill Richmond

    ReplyDelete

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This Week!

Headed to Bradenton, FL

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Why Bradenton? I have a bunch of family in Bradenton! I am going to stay with my cousin, Donna, her husband, Robert, and my Great Aunt Mary (Mary is my maternal grandmother’s Brother’s widow). I saw 3 of Donna’s 5 Children, Amy, Erin, and Robbie. Jessica was away with her husband and Sara lives in Georgia. Hopefully I’ll get to catch up with them soon. (Note: forgot to take pics of Erin, Robbie, and their families and Donna don’t like pictures!). Aunt Mary & Ken Cousin Amy & Ken Today, I woke up early and wanted to attend the early service at St. John’s in Homestead, FL. They advertised a 7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist. However, when I arrived at the church at 7:15 a.m. there was no one in sight. I looked at the sign and they had removed the 7:30 a.m. service time and were only offering 10:00 a.m. and Noon (La Missa en Español). So much for the “Episcopal Sacred Cow that is the early service.” Disappointed, I decided to start making my way toward Bradenton. I was looking forward to s...
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Freeport, FL to see more family!

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Today I headed to Freeport, FL to see more family. My cousin Keith (retired COL USAF) and his wife Kim and my uncle Roland (mom’s brother) and aunt Julieanne live in Freeport.  The day started off with breakfast with an old friend, Rusty Burke. Rusty and I attended Frederick together in the 80s (yes, over 40 years ago!). He runs a Karate school in Tallahassee. It was great to see him. The last time we connected was 9 years ago when I came to Florida for a short vacation.  After a short time with Rusty, chatting and catching up, I headed out to Freeport. I thanked the good Lord it wasn’t raining. I believe it’s rained more this trip than it did all of the 2017 trip (but I did have some significant rain days). Anyhow, it was a beautiful trip until the last 10 miles, then rain! 🌧️ I arrived in rain gear, and was greeted by my cousin and his wife. It was great to see them, spend time with them and catch up. We went over to see my uncle and aunt and then went back to their home an...
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Sunday in New Orleans, LA

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I went to worship this morning with Anne & Will at St. Martin’s - Metairie, LA. It was an enjoyable Trinity Sunday and a treat to worship with Anne and Will. The Church was a beautiful and welcoming space. The people at St. Martin’s were very friendly and hospitable.  Magnificent Carved Doors The service was a Rite II Eucharist (Prayer B). I was struck by some of the simple liturgical differences. Good, just different (not my style). They sang some hymnody out of Lift Every Voice and Sing (I love that hymnal!) The sermon was interesting and engaging. Overall, a great worship experience. Anne and Will seem very happy there.  After church we went to the Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art in the park and walked  around. It was a beautiful garden park with awesome art creations on display. Needless to say, New Orleans is hot and humid this time of year and subject to pop-up thunderstorms in the mid afternoon.  Tomorrow, I leave for Texas. It has been a...
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NOLA

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Yesterday (6/12) I left Freeport, FL and rode to Mobile, AL. Nice ride, hot, but no rain! This was a 1/2 way point for me to get to New Orleans, LA to meet up with my friend, Ann and her family. Ann and I were classmates at UNC Asheville, back in the early 2000s. We were both management majors. Since we were the non traditionally aged students, we often paired up for those horrid group projects, knowing we would both pull our weight. We both graduated from UNCA with honors. I was class of 2003, and she was class of 2005 (she took a year off and was at a slower pace to finish). Today (6/13) I rode from Mobile, AL and arrived in New Orleans, LA (after the last 65 miles of pouring rain!) A thunderstorm came out of nowhere and the temperature dropped from 90 degrees to 73 degrees in about 20 seconds. While I much appreciated the drop in temperature, riding in the rain makes me tense. The extra caution, lack of perfect visibility, wet roads, standing water, etc… it just makes things a bit c...
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Up the Florida Cost to Tallahassee!

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It was extremely enjoyable to spend Sunday evening, Monday, and Tuesday morning with my Florida family. I hope that I get to see the missing folks soon. (Shout out to Jessica and Sarah!) Today I headed to Tallahassee, up in the armpit of the panhandle of Florida.  I touched base with the Hills who wanted to meet me for lunch! We enjoyed all-you-can-eat shrimp and fish at the Bayport Inn, near Hudson, FL. Maryanne and Ed attended St. James when they were staying with their son in Greeneville before they moved back to Florida. It was great to catch up with them. The reason that I rode all the way to Tallahassee was to meet an old friend for breakfast in the morning. It will be good to see Rusty Burke (FMA “ghost” class of 86). It’s been a while. The people connections on this pilgrimage have been incredible. Rekindling great relationships that go back my whole life (in my Florida family’s case). Tomorrow I get to see Rusty after 9 years (last time I was in Florida in 2016). We have b...
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Gateway to the Keys & the Everglades

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This morning I woke up in Fort Pierce, FL ready for a “short” ride to Homestead, FL. By short, I mean less than my 270+ mile jaunts that I’ve been doing over the last few days. Today’s ride was 166 miles, and yes, it was hot. As I traveled through the Everglades, it almost felt as if I were looking as the same scenery over and over again. LONG STRAIGHT ROADS and a humid 93°! I learned in 2017 how to ride in the heat, so I had my “cooling towel” which kept my body temperature down, and yes, I stayed hydrated. Some forget that Florida is the home of Gatorade 🐊 which was created by the Univ. of Florida for their football team. (wait, does Florida have a football team?) 🤔 I arrived in Homestead about 1:30 p.m. and cooled off, walked to the nearest store to get some minor supplies, and chilled out for a bit. I plan to stay here 2 nights, and I will ride “empty” (aka free of luggage) to Key West and back tomorrow (200 mile RT) and pray the “First Corner” of the four corners of my sabbatica...
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First Corner! Key West, FL

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Today I road to the first corner (Key West) to pray a litany I prepared for the four corners. Today’s ride was ~120 miles there and 120 miles back from Homestead, FL. The keys were amazing. The weather ranged from 84-93° (warm in the direct sun!) I noticed a few things. One was the amazing colors. The water seemed to be different colors in different places. Another thing that I noticed were the old dilapidated bridges. Some were used as fishing piers and some were just falling down. One actually had a tree growing up in the middle of it. The last thing I want to point out that I noticed were the boats. Hundreds and hundreds of boats. In the water, at the marina, pulled by trucks and cars. All sizes, all shapes, all kinds. I’m starting the feel the clarity and freedom that I feel when I ride. It’s euphoric. Knowing God created all things, I wonder why the wonderful vivid colors were reserved for places like Key West and Key Largo and Long Key… and the multitude of all the key islands I ...
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