Sabbaticals for Clergy

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Last Updated

1-13-26

The sabbatical standard in the Diocese of Maine is set by canon, and it’s a generous one: four months every five years. See Canon22.4(2).

The canonical benefit is time off with pay. Covering the financial costs for a sabbatical is the responsibility of the clergy person and congregation. Clergy can apply to the Loring Fund to cover costs; an award is not guaranteed. (The Loring Fund maximum annual amount per clergy person is $3,000 and lifetime total is $7,500.)

The most successful sabbaticals are planned 8-12 months beforehand.

Here’s a brief guide:

  • The cleric should meet with the senior warden to discuss the sabbatical.
  • Before the sabbatical is announced the vestry should see the sabbatical proposal, and any discussion should be in the minutes; however, a formal vote of the proposal is not necessary. If the priest is the rector, the proposal should include a description of how the workload will be distributed/accomplished during the sabbatical. A financial exhibit or narrative description for funding the sabbatical program (between individual, congregation, and any grants received) and an estimate of additional expenses the parish may incur to hire supply clergy or other staff.
  • Within a month of the sabbatical, send to the bishop’s office a brief description of the proposed activities during sabbatical. Don’t create extra work for yourself! This can be a copy or shortened version of. the proposal you have announced to your vestry that outlines your plans and the anticipated benefits from the sabbatical. This is informational. We do not need to approve your plans.
  • Within three months after the sabbatical, send us a brief description of how the sabbatical helped, and/or how it was challenging, and any suggestions that might help clerics plan a sabbatical, and re-enter afterwards.

Additional resources to assist with your sabbatical planning: