Pastor Scott Sabbatical Fund

As the 2023 President of Atonement Lutheran Church Council I set up this GoFundMe account to raise funds for our Pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

The congregation of Atonement Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, Florida is asking for financial assistance to provide our pastor with a long-overdue “sabbatical.” The word “sabbatical” comes from “Sabbath,” and in simple terms means time set aside for rest and/or study. Traditionally a sabbatical happens every 7 years, and in 2020 just as Pastor Scott was beginning to plan his, COVID hit. While supporting his wife through breast cancer treatments and under treatment himself for heart issues, Pastor Scott led the church through the constant unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the course of a day, our Pastor deals with emotional highs and lows…dealing with death, homelessness and deep spiritual crises, encouragement, tragedies, criticism, illnesses, and celebrations of birth and marriage. It is an emotional roller coaster on a 24/7 basis. There is no “off” switch. This sabbatical will be a welcome time to slow down away from the church and members, allowing him much needed study and spiritual refreshment.

We are planning a month-long sabbatical in June of 2024 to provide Pastor Scott and his wife Susan with this needed time to rest and reconnect with God. They have wanted to go to Ireland together for many years. Ireland’s natural beauty and long religious history are well-known, but Pastor Scott and Susan also love its music. During Pastor’s sabbatical, we’d like to send he and his wife to Ireland and include a musical tour around the country hosted by Grammy-winning fiddler Eileen Ivers.

We hope you will join us in supporting our Pastor and his wife. We know this time of travel and reflection will help restore their spirits. Thank you for your consideration.