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You are here » Home» Churchwork» Mission and Ministry Development» Ministry Development Team» Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD)» Study Leave (Sabbaticals)

STUDY LEAVE

Hereford Diocese gives the opportunity to its ordained ministers to apply for Study Leave (sometimes known as a Sabbatical)

Why Study Leave?

This is because refreshment and renewal should be part of the normal cycle of ministry, building on the rhythm of quiet days and annual retreats. Theological learning is a life-long process and the world is changing more rapidly than ever before. Clergy used to work at a pace that allowed time for reflection and study as part of normal ministry. Increased demands have made it difficult to do this, and many readily admit to a lack of time for personal and spiritual nurture.

A block of leave allows a minister to read, research and rest. This benefits the minister (and family) concerned, and the local benefice has the opportunity to grow into new avenues of ministry, and to benefit from the experiences and renewed vision of the returning minister. The Diocese can also be confident that a ministry that is important for the strategic future has been nurtured and renewed.

What does it consist of?

Study Leave comes in two forms:

Full Study Leave: Full Study Leave ('FSL') of three months' duration will be considered for those who have been ordained or licensed for at least ten years (and who have not taken FSL within the past ten years or Shorter Study Leave within the past five years.

Shorter Study Leave: Shorter Study Leave ('SSL') of four weeks' duration will be considered for those who, having again been ordained or licensed for at least ten years, have not taken any form of Study Leave within the past five years.

How do I apply?

Study Leave is often raised at the time of Ministerial Review. Or, it can come from discussions within a Clergy Chapter meeting. Alternatively, it is quite in order for any priest within the Diocese to make a direct application through the CME Officer.

If you would like more information, or would like to discuss the possibility of taking Study Leave,
then please contact the CMD Officer.

Standard Documents

If you would like to download any of the standard documents about Study Leave, then please right-click on one of the links below, and select 'Save Target As...' You will then be able to save each document to your computer.

Study Leave Regulations (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 246k)

Full Study Leave Initial Application Form (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 30.6k)

Full Study Leave Detailed Proposals Form (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 21.9k)

Shorter Study Leave Application Form (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 29.9k)

Study Leave Planning Booklet (Adobe Acrobat PDF file, 223k)

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