Rev. Robin Zucker’s Self-funded Writing Sabbatical

“I went somewhere else to write deliberately!”

(with apologies to Henry David)

Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker’s Self-Funded Writing Sabbatical July 2017

Your freewill financial (and energetic) support solicited and gratefully appreciated.

As some of you know, I’ve been chipping away at a writing project for years and haven’t been able to carve out a chunk of intentional time to focus on this book and move it forward towards full realization. Folks often ask me: “When are you going to write a book that brings together your sermons, essays, and reflections in some form? I want to read that book. ” My reply: “Some day, I hope! I need a sabbatical. Stay tuned.” The book has existed in energetic form and in disconnected bits and pieces and its power seems to grow, not diminish, as my own voice becomes more authentic. Now is the time to speak.

The working title of the book is “Thoreau’s Three Chairs: Sitting Well with Being Human.” (TM) It began as a three-part sermon series in 2003 (egads!) based on the line from Walden: “In my house, I have three chairs. One for solitude, two for friendship, and three for society.” It went on to become the theme for a week-long series of talks at Ferry Beach Conference Center in 2009, and I’ve mined it along the way for a workshop or two.

The book will be divided into three parts (Sitting Well with Self, Relationships, and Community), each with 9 chapters, creating a six-month retreat (27 weeks). Each chapter will include reflective questions, writing prompts, and meditations. My intention is to simultaneously create an online course for Daily Om, and an outline for a weekend program at venues like Kripalu and Omega.

As I’ve been cobbling together various strands of ministry these past 16 years, I have not earned sabbatical time (and the accompanying funds) from a congregation. So, I am cobbling together a sabbatical, too. It seems fitting and even a little Biblical. :)

I’ve always admired the generosity of patrons throughout history who enabled artists and writers to devote themselves to creation. Through lots of new platforms, folks like me are asking their friends, colleagues, and even strangers to support their creative projects….and I am joining their ranks by asking you for support for my self-funded writing sabbatical.

I have set up a donation site here for contributions to fund a month of writing sabbatical time in July 2017, away from Pittsburgh and all the distractions of my daily life. I’d like to raise $2000, if possible, to cover expenses for the sabbatical – travel, lodging, food, etc. I already have two weeks planned in Portland and one in the Laurel Highlands.

Any donation amount would be deeply appreciated, welcomed and acknowledged. If you contribute $100, you will receive a signed copy of the completed book, too. And there will be a party, of course!

Additionally, I want to set up an online portal to be in dialogue with others about the themes of the book (such as grief, intimacy, citizenship) and hear your insights, thoughts and stories. More details about that as it emerges, but if you’d like to be in this conversation, please let me know.

My contact info is: [email protected] 978-505-7245

In faith, affection, gratitude, and fortitude,

Robin