Rebecca's Sabbatical Letter + FAQ
Dear Renovare Community,
We have had many “firsts” over the past eight years as Renovare Music grew from a concept to a reality, as the team grew from part-time to full-time, and as that team developed and grew to include five people. We’re embarking on a new “first” this summer, as I step back from the day-to-day work of Renovare for a 12-week sabbatical. This is something the Board of Directors encouraged me to consider as a proactive choice to practice a healthy rhythm of work and rest, to gain perspective, and to allow for organizational growth in my absence.
I’m grateful for their encouragement to consider taking a sabbatical; I truly love the day-to-day process of Renovare’s work and likely would not have dreamed of doing this on my own accord! I also believe there is much to be gained by embracing this practice - for me, for the team, and for the layers of people who are involved with and influenced by Renovare’s work. And especially because of the way God has grown our team over the past few years, taking a sabbatical this summer is a possibility in ways it wouldn’t have been in prior years.
My sabbatical will begin on June 27 and continue through September 20. You may have additional questions, some of which I hope will be answered by the following FAQ.
I am so grateful for the way each person in our Renovare community has been and continues to be part of our journey, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to step back for a period of time. If you’re free this Thursday, June 18, I’d love to see you at our last public concert before my Sabbatical begins! You can find details for that performance here. (Please note the change of location from what was originally advertised - we will be at the Hermit Club downtown on Thursday evening!) Otherwise, I’ll look forward to seeing many of you as I return from sabbatical this fall. I’ll also look forward to sharing how the experiences and insights from the time away have (re)shaped me and prepared me and Renovare for the next season.
Gratefully,
Rebecca
FAQs:
1. What is Sabbatical? Why is it a practice worth doing?
Sabbatical is a word that, like Sabbath, means “rest.” Sabbath rest is woven into creation itself: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” Moreover, the land was given rest every seven years, with a “super-rest” every 49 years (Lev 25:1-5; Deut 15). Rest is a time for renewal, whether for the soil, animals, or human beings.
Sabbatical, then, should simply be defined as a time for renewal - an extended time away from the routines of normal ministry and daily life for enrichment, rest, and personal (mental, physical, relational, and spiritual) formation. Further, sabbatical is also meant to extend the length of time a ministry leader can continue leading and serving, and to make ministry more fruitful and energized. A sabbatical helps ensure continued ministry excellence and faithfulness both for the leader and their colleagues.
While all of us would benefit from a sabbatical, pastors and ministry leaders take sabbaticals because ministry is often a 24/7 endeavor, centered on a life with God that flows into the people and through them into the world. A sabbatical provides unencumbered time and space to cultivate a vibrant spiritual life. Because the work of ministry requires serious and ongoing emotional and spiritual output in service to others, time and space is needed to continue doing this work in a healthy way.
2. How is a sabbatical different from a vacation?
The difference between a sabbatical and vacation is the difference between rest and escape. A vacation is about not working; a sabbatical is, oddly enough, about working in a different way, toward spiritual renewal. Vacations are filled with activity; the best sabbaticals are filled with rest. Vacations are times to do what you really want; a sabbatical is time to do what you really need. Vacations rarely change a person; sabbaticals can change a person for life.
3. What will Renovare’s work look like in my absence?
Renovare’s work will continue throughout my sabbatical. As it relates to our three programming areas:
Our weekly classes at the Grafton Correctional Institution and the Northeast Reintegration Center will be ongoing, with guest instructors on select weeks to support Clara and Lalia as they lead classes.
Concerts and chapel services will still take place in the range of spaces we typically perform. Some of these will feature Clara and Lalia as a duet, and others will involve guest artists. You can keep an eye on our calendar page for details about events you can attend! (As always, some of our events are not listed online because they are not open to the general public).
We concluded our 2026 Documentary Songwriting project earlier this month, featuring the stories of Immigrants and Refugees we met through The Hope Center. (A live recording of one of our culminating concerts will be posted to Renovare’s Youtube Channel in the coming weeks, for those who weren’t able to join us!) And preparations are underway for next year’s Documentary Songwriting project.
The other aspects of nonprofit life - fundraising, donor development, communications, etc. -will continue under Julie’s direction.
4. What will I be doing during Sabbatical?
I have worked with a small group over the past five months to think and pray through how I spend my 12 weeks away. It will include some travel for hiking and swing dancing with friends, and a cello/practice retreat. I’ll be home for most of the time, though, reading, exploring some new musical ideas on my cello, having extended periods to reflect and pray, and adopting a slower pace of life.
5. If questions arise, who should be contacted in my absence?
Any questions regarding Renovare’s musical/programming work should be directed to Lalia Curtis (née Mangione), our Violinist & Community Manager. Questions about anything else (donations, our concert gala in Orctober, etc.) can be directed to Julie Davis, our Managing Director. If another member of our staff or Board is better suited to help, they’ll direct you to the right person!
6. How does this work financially? Can gifts be given specifically towards this sabbatical?
The Board budgeted for 2026 with my sabbatical in view, anticipating my salary continuing throughout sabbatical, financial support for the activities I’ll undertake, and paying guest artists in my absence. Through the generosity of many of you, God has provided in ways that allow this Sabbatical to happen without financial stress for the organization. We are so grateful that this is the case! That said, there are real additional costs for the organization in order to make Sabbatical possible. If you would like to make a gift to support my sabbatical, your gift would certainly be appreciated! You can do that on our donate page or by sending a check in the mail to:
Renovare Music
12200 Fairhill Road, Suite A279
Cleveland, OH 44120
Please email Julie Davis to let her know your gift is intended for this purpose, or include it on the memo line of your check.
7. How can you be praying for Renovare and for me during this sabbatical?
As is often the case when we do something new, there are many unknowns about how sabbatical will look and feel for myself, the rest of the Renovare team, and our broader community. Some aspects of these unknowns are exciting, but others are intimidating, and leave myself and others who are impacted feeling some apprehension. I would appreciate your prayers for my colleagues as they adjust to doing the work of Renovare in my absence, for the men and women who I usually see each week in our prison classes, and for our Board of Directors as they continue stewarding the organization during this time. My hope for each of these groups – as well as the audiences, community members, and champions of Renovare’s work – is that they would experience God’s grace, joy, and sustaining power in new ways while I am away. Please pray for the ways that God will show up for me during my Sabbatical as well; that it would be a time of deep refreshment, of growing in discernment and wisdom, and that I will return better equipped to lead Renovare’s work with joy and vision in the years ahead.