From the First Parish Standing Committee and the Sabbatical Committee:
As part of our shared ministry at First Parish Church in Weston, we are pleased to announce that the Rev. Jeff Barz-Snell will be taking a sabbatical from January 1 through May 31 of 2026.
Sabbaticals are an important and time-honored tradition within Unitarian Universalism — a period of rest, renewal, and reflection that allows both minister and congregation to grow in spirit and vision. This sabbatical is a celebration of our ongoing partnership in ministry — a time for Jeff to reflect deeply and return refreshed, and for our congregation to continue thriving in shared leadership and faith.
Most Unitarian Universalist ministers, like college professors, have a clause in their contracts providing for a sabbatical leave. Rev. Jeff has now served 7 years as our Senior Minister and has begun his 8th year with us. Per his contract, he receives one month of sabbatical leave for every year of service, up to six months. He has elected to take five months of leave at this time, departing in January and returning at the start of June.
The Sabbatical Committee and Standing Committee have prepared a brochure with information about Rev. Jeff’s sabbatical.
Time of Renewal: Our Minister’s Sabbatical Journey [Final PDF to be provided]
Read on for general information, answers to frequently asked questions, and guidance on how we will navigate this time of shared reflection & renewal.
What’s a sabbatical?
A sabbatical is a sacred time for spiritual renewal. In congregations like our own, it is a well-established practice for ministers to take time away every five to seven years for rest, study, and personal growth. Ministers of this church have followed this practice of taking a sabbatical for centuries, taking a sabbatical in recognition of their difficult and consuming work.
During this period, ministers often explore areas of learning, reflection, or creativity that nourish their ministry and the life of the congregation for years to come. This is not simply “time off” — it’s a time to renew the heart of ministry. When the minister returns rejuvenated and inspired, the whole community is renewed as well.
A Ministerial Sabbatical is a sacred time for spiritual renewal. A sabbatical is a very old concept that relates to a period of rest or change, usually after six years. The word “sabbatical” shares its etymological roots with the Hebrew term “sabbath” (or “shabbat” ) meaning “day of rest” or “cessation from labor.” It is connected to the sabbatical year or “shmita” (literal translation: “release” ) in Mosaic law which prescribes that every seven years the land was to remain untilled and fallow.
Sabbaticals also offer the staff and congregation the opportunity to explore responsibilities of our shared ministry.
HOW LONG WILL REV. JEFF BE AWAY?
Jeff’s sabbatical will begin on Jan 1, 2026, and conclude on May 31, 2026.
He will return to lead worship on Sunday, June 7th, to join us in celebrating our annual Flower Communion and Church Picnic. He will bring with him fresh insights and new inspiration to share with us as we continue our spiritual journey together.
What will Rev. Jeff be doing while he’s away?
During his time away, he plans to attend several retreats at both Christian and Buddhist retreat centers. In addition he plans to travel to several sacred sites in southeast Asia and do a tour of Biblical archeological sites in southern Greece and Turkey. He also plans to attend church in other communities (something he rarely gets to do!) as part of some ongoing research into the changing face of organized religion and churches here in 21st century America. This is an continuation of some of the research he did in his program with the Lilly Endowment on church revitalization and growth.
Who Will be supporting First Parish?
Our Sabbatical Minister – Rev. Anne Bancroft
We are delighted to welcome Rev. Anne Bancroft as our part-time Sabbatical Minister. Rev. Bancroft brings deep experience, warmth, and wisdom to this role. She previously served as the minister of the Theodore Parker Unitarian Universalist Church in West Roxbury, MA, and was also the Ministerial Consultant here at First Parish Church in Weston from 2010 to 2012.
Her familiarity with our congregation, along with her thoughtful and engaging presence in worship and pastoral care, will ensure that our congregational life continues to flourish throughout this sabbatical period.
Rev. Anne will be our primary worship host on Sunday mornings and will preach ten times over the five months she is here.
In addition she will be available to provide pastoral care when needed. She will work with our Pastoral Callers group and Rev. Sarah Napoline to addresses different needs as they arise. If needed, Rev. Anne can also officiate at memorial services.
The Sabbatical Committee will meet periodically with Rev. Anne to provide support and foster good relationships with the congregation.
Church Staff
Our dedicated staff will continue to keep the daily life of the church running smoothly. Each member of our team will ensure that programs, operations, and communication remain strong during this time of renewal.
- Sarah Napoline, Assistant Minister for Families & Community Outreach
- Robert Jones, Youth & Family Ministries Coordinator
- Sara DeLong, Parish Administrator
- Betsy Gibson, Bookkeeper
- TJ Rufo-Curran, Music Director
- Geoff Wieting, Organist
- Gary Lubin, Sexton
- Will Coronado, Sexton
- Paula Leger, Fellowship Hour Coordinator
- Peter Constable, Video Production Assistant
First Parish Lay Leaders
The strength of our congregation lies in shared ministry. Our lay leaders — including the Standing Committee and the Sabbatical Committee — will continue to guide, support, and nurture the life of our community. We are deeply grateful for their leadership during this sabbatical period.
Standing Committee
- Nancy Piedra, Chair
- Kurt Flory, Treasurer
- Pam Wood, Clerk
- Holly Kulow, Welcome Committee
- Ray LaFrance, CAMP
- Caroline Marple, Stewardship Committee
- Carol McKeen, Music Committee
- Dusty Reeder, Facilities Committee
- Camille Schmidek, Outreach Committee
- Meghan Scott, CCYM
- Richard Weeks, Denominational Affairs Committee
- Leila Hooper, Member-at-large
- Sharyn Lenhart, Member-at-large
- Gail Nozik, Member-at-large
- Janie Plank, Member-at-large
- Mary Shaw, Member-at-large
Sabbatical Committee
The Sabbatical Committee is a group of dedicated lay leaders who will serve as a point of connection and support for the congregation during Rev. Jeff’s sabbatical. Their role is to help ensure that the sabbatical unfolds smoothly — addressing any unexpected issues that may arise, supporting our Sabbatical Minister, and helping the congregation stay informed and engaged.
The committee will also act as a resource for questions about sabbatical logistics, ensuring that communication between staff, lay leadership, and the congregation remains clear and collaborative throughout this period of renewal.
The committee members include:
- Nancy Piedra
- Geoff Blum
- Don Pierson
- Jim Dana
- Jeff Barz-Snell (ex-officio until December 31st)
Who will be leading worship?
…And Visiting People?
…..And officiating Rites of Passage?
Our sabbatical minister, the Rev. Anne Bancroft, will be leading worship two times per month, and Rev. Sarah will be preaching at least twice. In addition, we will enjoy a diverse array of truly extraordinary guest preachers.
Pastoral care will be provided by Rev. Anne Bancroft and Rev. Sarah Napoline in collaboration with the Pastoral Callers, our pastoral care group. If you or someone you know needs spiritual or emotional support, please contact Sara DeLong, Parish Administrator, or the Chair of the Pastoral Callers group, Gail Nozik.
Rev. Anne will be responsible for all rites of passage during the sabbatical period, including baptisms, weddings, and memorial services. Anne and Sarah are both available to officiate. To schedule one of these services, please contact the Church Office.
How Can we participate or help?
A sabbatical is also a time of renewal for the congregation. We invite everyone to stay
engaged, connected, and curious during these months.
- Attend worship regularly
- Consider writing a short piece or column (100-200 words) for the e-Parish Post
- How does your spirituality/faith affect your daily life?
- Why did you start coming to First Parish? Why do you keep coming back?
- How has your faith or the First Parish community helped you during hard times?
- Special & uplifting moments within our community (First Parish or Weston)
- “Look for the helpers” as Mr. Rogers said – ways you have found to make a positive impact on the world, protect our democracy, and help our neighbors.
- Volunteer for Chalice Lighting, Ushering, and helping with Events
- Join ongoing programs and small groups, and attend First Parish events
- Support one another — connection and making a difference is our spiritual practice
- Reflect on what renewal means to you
Who Do I Contact About…
- Worship: Rev. Anne Bancroft, Sabbatical Minister
- Music and Choir: TJ Rufo-Curran, Music Director; tjrufocurran@FirstParishWeston.org.
- Pastoral Care: Rev. Anne will serve as the primary contact for pastoral care. Additional pastoral support will be provided by Rev. Sarah and our Pastoral Callers team.
- Weddings, Baptisms, Funerals & Memorials: Rev. Anne and Rev. Sarah will be available for rites of passage and other rituals as needed. Our Parish Administrator, Sara DeLong, will make all logistical arrangements as per usual.
- Church School & Children’s Programs: Rev. Sarah Napoline, Assistant Minister of Families & Community Outreach; SarahNapoline@FirstParishWeston.org.
- Building Use: Sara DeLong, Parish Administrator, saradelong@FirstParishWeston.org.
- Standing Committee: Nancy Piedra, Chair, nancy_piedra@yahoo.com
Don’t see your issue here? Contact our Sabbatical Committee or Standing Committee.
How can I contact Rev. Jeff?
During the sabbatical, Jeff will be stepping away fully from the daily life of the congregation to rest, reflect, and renew his spirit for the ministry ahead. To honor this time of renewal, Jeff will not be available for routine church matters, email correspondence, or pastoral care requests.
All communication with him during the sabbatical will be coordinated through designated leaders. Therefore, the only people authorized to contact him are:
- Nancy Piedra, Chair of the Standing Committee
- Sara DeLong, Church Administrator
- Jim Dana, Chair of Ministerial Relations Committee
If you have questions, concerns, or matters that would normally go to Jeff, please reach out to these leaders, who will connect with him only if absolutely necessary. This clear boundary helps ensure that Jeff’s sabbatical is a true period of rest and rejuvenation — which will strengthen his ministry and our shared life when he returns.
“Rest and renewal are not luxuries —
they are the soil from which new life grows.”
Thank you for your understanding, trust, and partnership in this sacred rhythm of ministry. Together, we nurture the ongoing strength, creativity, and spirit of our congregation.