EXTENDED STUDY LEAVE ELY DIOCESAN POLICY

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Updated 10 January, 2003

EXTENDED STUDY LEAVE - ELY DIOCESAN POLICY
(Candidates: please read the CME Officer's additional informal notes)

Definition
Extended Study Leave is a period of withdrawal from parish and diocesan life for the purposes of reflection, rest and spiritual refreshment. Experience has shown that that this can be a very creative period during which a minister can find renewed focus and energy for ministry.

Eligibility
All stipendiary workers who hold the Bishop's licence are eligible for ESL. They should normally have been in role for ten years and in post for not less than 5 years in the Diocese of Ely (exclude CME 1-4 in the calculation.). One will not normally be eligible for another period of ESL. ESL will usually be awarded to those in mid career with an expected minimum stipendiary service of eight years.²

Number
For pastoral and financial reasons, there will be a maximum of five per annum.

Procedure
After some preliminaries, an offer of the gift of ESL will come in writing from the Bishop.

Within six months you should send the CME officer written evidence of preparation including:

• the support of Wardens and the PCC, including a copy of the minutes of the formal resolution, with vote.
  
• the support of colleagues and Rural Dean/Archdeacon
  
• a plan for the cover of normal duties and your personal supervision
  
• a financial plan
  
• your project, its supervision and execution

With the CME officer's support, submit the plans to the Bishop of Huntingdon for confirmation.

With confirmation funds become available for preparation and execution.

Length
The extended study leave would normally last for three months.
Careful thought needs to be given about entry into and exit from the ESL.

Content
There are three strands to ESL:

• A Project to assist personal and professional development
  
• Spiritual refreshment
  
• Rest

The precise relationship between the three will depend on individual circumstances, but it should be worked out carefully with the CME Officer, and approved by the Bishop.

Supervisor
Ministers should find a supervisor for the ESL. He/she would have three broad responsibilities:

• To hold the minister to what he/she has agreed to do during the ESL
• to provide support
• to encourage reflection on the learning process associated with the ESL,
  and its results.

Pastoral Cover
The Bishop will need to be satisfied that appropriate pastoral cover will be provided during the ESL. This includes both Sundays and throughout the week. Liaison very early in the planning process with your and Rural Dean/ Archdeacon is strongly advised.

Finance
Subject to funds being available in the budget of the relevant financial year, the CME budget of the Diocese will provide up to £500 grant. This can be supplemented by any unused accumulated allowances over a maximum period of 3 years (the CME Officer must be notified at the start of this period).
Early application to other sources of finance is strongly advised. Some need two years notice.

Report
Following the ESL, a report should be written, detailing what was done, what has been learnt, and whether anything emerged that is important for the wider Church. Copies of the report should be sent to the Bishop, your Archdeacon and the CME Officer.

FOOTNOTES
1. Extended study leave is not taxable. The former use of sabbatical, whilst common usage, is now incorrect nomenclature for ecclesiastical employment/taxation purposes.
2. ESL is usually awarded with a three-year preparation period and should be completed before the last five years of stipendiary ministry, i.e. before age 60. However, ESL is awarded solely at the Bishop's discretion.

Revised April 2002