Keeping up with the Tubmans

  • Michelle Botha
  • Nov 29, 2009
  • Series: The Informer

KEEPING UP WITH THE TUBMANS

Hi St James!

Good to be writing to you, it will be even better though to be back with you soon!

Since I've been back in Sydney I have stopped referring to the time here as a sabbatical. Outside of church circles (and maybe even in church circles) I have discovered that no one really knows what that means. A case in point is a comment I received on an album of family pics I posted on Facebook. An old friend asked, 'Why do church workers and missionaries have sabbaticals and everyone else has holidays?"

Did I detect some bite? Perhaps, but nevertheless, fair question!

My response was to tell him not to worry, I also have holidays! Sabbatical is a 2 month study leave on offer every seven years for ministers in CESA. I have chosen to use this time in Sydney for a few reasons. One of them is so that the grandparents can see their grandkids. Another is so that I can meet up with some of the leading youth specialists over here. They have a lot going on in Sydney re: Youth Ministry; a dedicated youth ministry college, a nation wide Youth Surge (youth rallies) program and lots of great publications. It's been really stimulating catching up with these guys, getting freebies, and exciting to see that they are also very interested in what's happening at St James and South Africa.

I've also been putting my hand to some writing. I've been at St James for 7 years as youth minister, 10 years in South Africa and almost 15 years in youth ministry. So it felt like the right time to start putting some things down on paper. As any of you who have tried to commit something to paper will know, it has been a scary project, but at the same time really rewarding.

The other aspect of the time away has been to put my mind to Youth at St James in 2010; some things to tweak, some things to get a bit more radical with. It's tricky to turn you mind to this kind of thinking in the midst of a busy week. So the space, reflection and stimulation of being over here have bubbled over into some ideas I am very excited about. But you'll have to wait for me to get back - no hints yet! Suffice to say, if you are in high school next year and are at St James, you better hold on tight.

As I sign off it's probably worth mentioning that the family time has been great, catching up with old friends has been gold, and squeezing in a few 'holiday activities' has been a pleasure. Having said that, we are all kind of home sick (even Ben!).

For those who have been praying - thanks. If you would like to be a part of that here are some places to start:

For my remaining meetings that they would be stimulating and useful for youth ministry in the Cape.

That God's Spirit would continue to nudge my thoughts for St James Youth next year.

For the few remaining leader spots for 2010 that still need to be filled.

And thank God that Byron and Steph have done a great job in my absence - keep praying for their busy term would you?

We would love to hear from you via facebook or at

See you soon!

Scott