Is it possible to take a sabbatical and stay at home? Sabbatical usually suggests that someone leaves the work-a-day routine and goes away for a period of time to rest, to renew the body, mind and spirit and to engage in new and expanding disciplines. Trinity Episcopal Church is embarking on a season of sabbatical in which its parishioners seek to do those very things, while staying home.

Trinity’s rector Chip Davis will be away from Natchez on sabbatical this summer. In addition to time spent traveling in the United States, Chip and his spouse Cathy will engage in intense art immersion studies, first in Ruston, La., and then on a group study trip to Tahiti with teacher and artist Doug Walton. (www.mdouglaswalton.com) Chip also will spend 30 days in silent retreat at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, La., before returning to the parish Sept. 5. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences offer Chip ways of growth and change.

The church, too, will have a sabbatical, seeking to take stock of its gifts and talents and to look ahead for ways to use those in God’s service. Trinity invites all to join in this summer-long series of special events. At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday is a celebration of beginnings: Bishop of Mississippi the Right Rev. Duncan M. Gray III will baptize and confirm young people, initiate the season of sabbatical and wish Chip and Cathy godspeed. Following will be a reception in honor of all these new beginnings.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, all return for a supper sure to satisfy our physical hunger. Following is a reflection and discussion to feed our spiritual hunger. The Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, a Mississippi priest now serving in Colorado, will tell her own stories and encourage us to share ours.

Connectedness, safety and finding in God’s love for us the strength and courage to take risks are themes Ruth will address. These themes emerged from work Ruth did with a group of Trinity parishioners this spring. Though the stories from which these themes grew may have originated in Trinity, the themes are universal and point to our shared humanity, regardless of differences in our beliefs, our colors, our politics and our peculiarities.

For those curious about the community of faith which gathers at Trinity Episcopal Church, 305 South Commerce St., please join these events to learn more about God, about the people in the pews and about yourself. For those who worship at Trinity routinely, join these events to change and grow, to strengthen the bonds of community and to discern God’s call to us to ministry.

Special events will occur throughout the summer. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley will return to Natchez July 25 and 26 and Aug. 29 and 30. All are welcome. Though the church steps appear high, the threshold is low and the doors open. Please enter and join this community of faith as its people seek to be strengthened for God’s service.

Amelia Salmon is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.