Windermere minister to take sabbatical

Everyone deserves a time to rest, renew, and rejuvenate. And that is exactly what Windermere Union Church, United Church of Christ, 10710 Park Ridge-Gotha Road, is giving its senior minister of 20 years, Barton Buchanan, in the form of a sabbatical.

From June 1 through Sept. 27, the Rev. Barton Buchanan will be on this sabbatical and therefore not serving as the minister of the church thanks to a $28,000 grant from the Eli Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal program.  The church achieved this grant after two attempts.  

Buchanan’s plans for the sabbatical include completing the Dance of Transcendence, a large sculpture of Jesus reaching to the heavens holding a crown of thorns he has been working on for many years. Upon completion, he will have it bronzed and give it to the church. It will occupy a prominent place on the church grounds.  

Before he returns, Buchanan will travel to Sedona, Arizona, for a weeklong meditation retreat to renew his body, mind and spirit. Also, Buchanan and his wife, Amy, will travel to Europe and explore the great art museums and churches in England and France.

During his absence, the Rev. Luis A. Perez will take over most of the ministerial duties at WUC. The three main areas he will concentrate on are pastoral care, including counseling, visiting the ill and elderly; preaching and the preparation for it; and support leadership and management of the staff.

Perez has been an ordained minister in the UCC for more than 20 years. He has served as pastor to many churches in several states. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree in divinity at Eden Theological Seminary. He has advanced training in Interim Ministry from Princeton. Perez has more than 31 years of active and reserve military service. He is a veteran of Iraq. He serves more than 100 duty days in support of a multiplicity of training, ministry and leadership settings in any given year. He is presently supervisory chaplain and mentor to 14 young chaplains and religious program specialists at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. 

The congregation plans a big celebration in May, both as a going-away party for Buchanan and as a welcoming party for Perez. Another celebration will be held upon Rev. Buchanan’s return.

For more information, call (407) 876-2112, or visit windermereunion.org.