Elizabeth's Sabbatical Surprise!
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Help us make Elizabeth’s decade!
After 12 years as a pastor, Elizabeth Sherwood is looking forward to a sabbatical for the months of May and June. As her former boss, I am really excited for her to have this experience, something I’ve been advocating for her to have for years!
Elizabeth has loved and served others for years-long before it was her “job”. Her heart for people has made a huge impact. The last several years have taken a toll, and we get the chance to help with some much-needed rejuvenation...with a personal spiritual retreat and maybe a conference with Richard Rohr!
When Steve Fawver and I were granted sabbaticals in 2013 and 2016, we each received the Lilly Grant, allowing us to have the resources to do some amazing things on our own and with our families. Because we got it, she was ineligible to apply, so I wanted to start a Gofundme so that her community can help her have a great sabbatical experience!
WE ARE KEEPING THIS SECRET FROM ELIZABETH AND HER STEVE, but have told Bailey and Rachel and other extended family members who are helping us out. Please help us keep the secret! Be careful when you share on social media to block their ability to see it. When you share the Gofundme page, DON’T CLICK "SHARE NOW (PUBLIC)". Click “Share…” and then click where it says “Public” and choose “Friends Except…” and then choose both Elizabeth Meeker Sherwood and Steve Meeker Sherwood to make sure neither sees it.
Elizabeth does not like being the center of attention–I think she’d give back the money we raise and more in order to NOT have to have a party for her! Instead, we encourage you to write a note of thanks for the impact she has made on your life, either on this Gofundme page, the Facebook page for her sabbatical, or sent privately to her after April 2, when we give her this gift. Or, record your thanks on video and send it to Gregg Koskela (gkoskela AT gmail.com) by Thursday, March 29.
We’ve set a minimum goal of $900, (UPDATE: Early response was great so we are increasing to $1,500!) and a miracle goal of $9,000. $900 is enough to cover airfare, rental car, and time at Santa Maria De La Vid Abbey , for a personal retreat near Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation (Rohr speaks on May 6, 13, and 26). But some of our other dreams, if we are able to exceed the minimum goal are:
• New hiking shoes for outings with her dog Jojo
• Redo a room in her house
• Attend Richard Rohr’s Conspire 2018 Conference ($1,500)
• The whole family get away together to their favorite place in Hawaii ($3,000)
• Give her the option of entering Richard Rohr’s “Living School”, a two year distance/online program in Contemplative Christianity ($5,400 tuition, $2,000 for airfare, and $1,600 for food and accomodations)
(Of course it comes with no strings attached, and she can use this in the most refreshing and restoring way possible-this is just friends far and wide chipping in to encourage.)
Click the link to donate now, and have your own personal dance party in Elizabeth’s honor…maybe even a Def Leppard dance party! Make your donations by April 1!
After 12 years as a pastor, Elizabeth Sherwood is looking forward to a sabbatical for the months of May and June. As her former boss, I am really excited for her to have this experience, something I’ve been advocating for her to have for years!
Elizabeth has loved and served others for years-long before it was her “job”. Her heart for people has made a huge impact. The last several years have taken a toll, and we get the chance to help with some much-needed rejuvenation...with a personal spiritual retreat and maybe a conference with Richard Rohr!
When Steve Fawver and I were granted sabbaticals in 2013 and 2016, we each received the Lilly Grant, allowing us to have the resources to do some amazing things on our own and with our families. Because we got it, she was ineligible to apply, so I wanted to start a Gofundme so that her community can help her have a great sabbatical experience!
WE ARE KEEPING THIS SECRET FROM ELIZABETH AND HER STEVE, but have told Bailey and Rachel and other extended family members who are helping us out. Please help us keep the secret! Be careful when you share on social media to block their ability to see it. When you share the Gofundme page, DON’T CLICK "SHARE NOW (PUBLIC)". Click “Share…” and then click where it says “Public” and choose “Friends Except…” and then choose both Elizabeth Meeker Sherwood and Steve Meeker Sherwood to make sure neither sees it.
Elizabeth does not like being the center of attention–I think she’d give back the money we raise and more in order to NOT have to have a party for her! Instead, we encourage you to write a note of thanks for the impact she has made on your life, either on this Gofundme page, the Facebook page for her sabbatical, or sent privately to her after April 2, when we give her this gift. Or, record your thanks on video and send it to Gregg Koskela (gkoskela AT gmail.com) by Thursday, March 29.
We’ve set a minimum goal of $
• New hiking shoes for outings with her dog Jojo
• Redo a room in her house
• Attend Richard Rohr’s Conspire 2018 Conference ($1,500)
• The whole family get away together to their favorite place in Hawaii ($3,000)
• Give her the option of entering Richard Rohr’s “Living School”, a two year distance/online program in Contemplative Christianity ($5,400 tuition, $2,000 for airfare, and $1,600 for food and accomodations)
(Of course it comes with no strings attached, and she can use this in the most refreshing and restoring way possible-this is just friends far and wide chipping in to encourage.)
Click the link to donate now, and have your own personal dance party in Elizabeth’s honor…maybe even a Def Leppard dance party! Make your donations by April 1!
Organizer
Gregg Haworth Koskela
Organizer
Newberg, OR
