Pastor Sara's Sabbatical FAQs

Pastor Sara will be taking a sabbatical this summer! Here are some important details and frequently asked questions.

When is Pastor Sara’s sabbatical? 
May 26 – August 26, 2026
 
Will Salt House have any pastoral coverage during that time? 
Yes! The Church Council is working to finalize the details with a local pastor who will serve at Salt House during Pastor Sara’s sabbatical. Stay tuned!
 
What will Pastor Sara do on sabbatical? 
Grounding in marriage.  

• The Rooted Pastors Clergy Couple Retreat in Denver, CO.  
• A stay at the Posthotel, Leavenworth, WA. 

Grounding in family.  

• Renting a home in Cle Elum with the extended Wolbrecht family. 

Grounding in spirit and Spirit.  

• The Sacred Pause Retreat (for middle-aged clergy) in Sanat Fe, NM.  
• Spiritual Direction. 

Grounding in play.  

• The week-long course: Watercolor in the Sacred Milieu, at the Grunewald Guild near Leavenworth.  
• Exploring a local Walking-Soccer League! 

Grounding in body.  

• Organizing her home.  
• Exploring daily practices. 
• Getting help for GI and sleep issues.  
• Tending to new ways to exercise and care for her body. 

 
What does Salt House hope for during Pastor Sara’s sabbatical? 
We see this as a great opportunity to grow our connections, nurturing a sense of belonging. We’re going to have some fun while Pastor Sara is gone this summer…
 
Will Pastor Sara be in worship or at events? 
No. She will really be on sabbath from everything Salt House (with some FOMO!).
 
What about Jason? Will he take time off? 
Jason will use PTO to take some time off during the summer, as well, and will miss a few Sundays.
 
Pastor Sara has had time off related to her concussion in 2018 and 2023. How does this relate to or affect her sabbatical? 
Pastor Sara had a reduced workload beginning in November 2018, after a concussion became Post-Concussion Syndrome. She was back in her primary Salt House responsibilities in January 2019. At that time, she began filming her sermons for Sunday worship (before COVID made video sermons the trend), which she did for about nine months while moving more fully into her pastoral role.

There have been a few times in the years following where Pastor Sara’s symptoms would be triggered again, usually due to a physical bump. She would adapt her workload as needed in those times.

Pastor Sara also took a six-month medical leave in 2023 (July 2023 – January 2024) to address the ongoing propensity for concussion symptoms being triggered. She was on state Disability pay and not compensated by Salt House during those six months. As her disability benefit ended and she returned to work, the Council decided that Pastor Sara would receive full compensation as she expanded her hours from part to full-time over the course of six months (January 2024 – July 2024).
 
How is Pastor Sara’s health now?
Pastor Sara is doing well! In the last year she’s used the program, Dynamic Neural Retraining System, which has helped her heal and sooth her limbic system (the source of lingering concussion and trauma symptoms). She is feeling stronger and sharper than she has in years.  
 
When was Pastor Sara’s last sabbatical? 
May 15 – August 15, 2017
 
What is Salt House’s sabbatical policy? How long, how often, and for what purpose? 
From the Salt House Personnel Manual:
Sabbaticals provide an extended period in which a rostered staff pastoral leader can
take a break from their regular duties for a season of sabbath, and/or to engage in other
activities to support their spiritual growth, reflect on the call to ministry and on their
relationship with God and God's people. The Sabbatical period and the terms of it are a mutually negotiated agreement (covenant) between the pastor and the congregation. It is recommended that this covenant be made in writing, signed by the Pastor and Council President.

• All Salt House rostered staff who currently work at least 30 hours per week, and who have been employed by Salt House by call or by contract for a minimum of six (6) consecutive years, are eligible for a sabbatical of three months. Successive sabbaticals can be granted no more than once every six years. An optional one-month sabbatical Approved by Leadership Team 10.15.2025 may be granted to an Employee after 3 years of service in place of 6 years of service.
  
  
• Successive sabbaticals of one month would not be granted more than every 3 years. An employee could also qualify for a three-month sabbatical after 6 years of service, following their one-month sabbatical.
  
  
• An extended leave of absence of more than six weeks does not count toward consecutive service for sabbatical eligibility (e.g. An employee who takes a 2-month leave of absence would need to work 6 years plus 2 months to be eligible for a sabbatical).
  
  
• The rostered staff member is expected to develop a plan for the sabbatical that outlines the activities they will engage in and the goals they hope to achieve. Sabbath is considered an appropriate part of the plan for a sabbatical.
  
  
• The rostered staff member's sabbatical plan and timing must be approved by the Church
  
  
• Council at least 3 months before the sabbatical begins. As part of this approval process, the Church council will develop a backfill plan to cover the pastor’s duties and responsibilities while they are on sabbatical.
  
  
• The plan should include a description of the activities the rostered staff member will engage in, the expected outcomes, and a timeline for completion.
  
  
• The rostered staff member is expected to provide a report to the Church Council within 60 days of the completion of the sabbatical period. The report should include a summary of the activities the rostered staff member engaged in, the outcomes achieved, and any recommendations for future sabbaticals.
  
  
• The congregation/Church Council can also provide insights and visions that it has had during the sabbatical period (optional).
  
  
• Return to Work: The expectations for continued service by the rostered staff member to the congregation after the Sabbatical period is completed should be explicitly discussed and agreed upon prior to the approval of the sabbatical plan by Church Council. For example, specific timing, duty transitions, congregation communications, etc.