This April after we celebrate our Patronal Feast of St. Mark, I will begin the first sabbatical of my career. Technically I was to take a sabbatical several years ago during my tenure at St. Mark’s, but that was thwarted a couple of times due to various events. I thought I would take this opportunity to share why sabbaticals are offered to clergy, as well as the challenges of observing them, especially in a congregation such as St. Mark’s.