Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church in Old Forge has received a grant from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, Inc. that will fund a four-month sabbatical for Pastor Lawrence Bartel.
This grant is part of the 2011 National Clergy Renewal Program, which allows pastors to take a break from their daily obligations and gain the fresh perspective and renewed energy that a carefully considered “sabbath time” of travel, study, rest and prayer can provide for the benefit of their ongoing ministries.
Niccolls Church is one of 158 congregations across the country to receive this award.
The theme of the sabbatical is “Walking with God on Holy Ground,” and Reverend Bartel will begin the journey in March of 2012.
Then, he and his wife, Amy, and their children, Jens, 8, and Lydia, 4 will embark on a pilgrimage through parts of Europe, including walking the well-known Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Reverend Bartel will conclude this period of renewal in June with a personal retreat at St. Williams on Long Point in Raquette Lake.
The Reverend Joanne Bartel (no relation to Pastor Lawrence), who has a wealth of experience in interim ministry, has committed to serve Niccolls Church full time during the sabbatical.
She said she looks forward to working with the Niccolls Church lay leaders, the congregation and the community.
She and her husband will leave their Ithaca home to live in Old Forge until Pastor Lawrence’s returns.
