In 20 years of ministry, I have become increasingly clear that we are the products of stories that shape our identities--pastoral, theological, gender, race/ethnicity, birth order,cultural, etc. My soul's passion for ministry has been informed and is formed by ancient stories of the early church; by the stories of my African American parents' early life in Mississippi and the ways they raised me and my siblings; by my slow but sure acceptance of my call to ministry while living in California; by the richness of my life with my partner in ministry and spouse, John. I would like to use this sabbatical to immerse myself in some of those stories. I would begin with a month-long trip to Greece and Italy, engaging with art, culture, architecture and other remnants of the stories of the forming church. Leisurely time with my parents in Chicago while they wrestle with my Mom's cancer diagnosis would immerse me in their formative narratives and mine, including my earliest sense of call at my childhood church there. These two weeks would be spent inteviewing them, reminiscing with them in a discovery of their spiritual biographies and mine. I would spend two weeks then in California, immersed in the story of my wrestle with and acceptance of call on rocky beaches, in the midst of redwood trees and in the desert. Finally, a month at home with my spouse John, walking long walks, praying and cooking together, journaling and writing in my spiritual memoir would synthesize this journey through story, and restore my soul and my breath. This sabbattical would enrich my marriage; my spouse is so supportive of my ministry and downtime together would be a blessing. It would be a blessing to my family of origin; these days with my Mom are precious as we are unsure of her prognosis and the path her lung cancer will take. It would restore me and my congregation. We have all been sprinting during a transition in senior leadership; Middle Church can use a deep breath during my summer away.