As I write this note, I’ll date myself by admitting that the song that keeps going through my head is “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” Swap out Stephanie for Carmen, and it’s basically the same. It’s been a busy few months, and I’ve been out of the office more frequently and in a more concentrated time frame than usual. In fact, when this note goes out, I’ll be in the middle of a stretch that will include both vacation and continuing education time for me. I wanted to share a little more about what I’ve been up to.
Minimum Terms of Call include 4 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks of Continuing Education each year, recognizing the need for restorative time, and the benefit of continuing to engage in dedicated learning opportunities. I usually try to spread these out over the course of the year, but this year didn’t work out that way, in large part because of calendar challenges beyond my control. Throw in a couple of weeks in service at General Assembly and then returning with Covid, and you might notice I’ve been gone a little bit!
I enjoyed easing into the summer break with the boys by taking off their first week after school got out. We took care of appointments and some necessary tasks, but we also enjoyed a more relaxed pace at home and fun around town together. General Assembly was all-encompassing for a few weeks, and if you’re interested in reading my reports, I’ve compiled a list of highlights from the consent agenda as well as a narrative report of GA that, I confess, got a bit lengthy.
My current break started on July 22nd, Isaac’s 11th birthday! We have been planning a special surprise for him, and it’s been so hard keeping it a secret for the past few months. We planned a family trip to Orlando, with overnight stops on the way down and back, and one day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. For those less familiar with the stories, it is on Harry’s 11th birthday that he learns he is a wizard and gets his invitation to Hogwarts, so the 11th birthday is kind of a big deal. By the time you read this, I assume we have gotten back from a wonderful but exhausting family trip. We also have plans to do our annual summer visit to Pittsburgh with my family, and the boys always look forward to that.
The following week I’ll be taking my second week of Continuing Education for a short clergy women getaway, and I will also complete the “in person” component of a Mental Health First Aid for Youth Course. Mental Health challenges for adolescents have skyrocketed over the years. At GA, I noticed that fully one-third of the Young Adult Advisory Delegates self-reported “Mental Health” as a disability. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn more about how to offer support.
I will probably be much less active on social media while I’m away, though I’ve enjoyed following many of your travels and adventures this summer. Some of you may not even realize I’ve been gone!
As I knew it would, this summer has flown by, and now we’re about to enter a new school year. For those returning to school year rhythms in one way or another, I hope you’re able to squeeze a little more joy into the remaining days of break. I invite us all to keep in prayer our students, parents, teachers, and administrators as we prepare for a new year ahead. It all seems harder than it used to be, for everyone, and I pray for God’s grace, strength, and peace, to accompany all into the year ahead.
Grace and Peace,
Stephanie
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