Contrary to what many may think, a Sabbatical is not a jolly holiday: rather it is space made to focus on a project, like writing a book, that will enhance one's life thereafter. So I shall not be lounging in a deck chair in the South of France but grafting in the Studio to produce "Eight Stations of The Cross". Instead of writing a sermon, I shall be preaching in bronze. The O.E.D.describes the sabbatical as essentially a 7th-year respite to study, and therefore a fallow period away from one's regular work. Remember, Jesus had to escape up a mountain to pray in peace.

These Stations of The Cross will differ from the usual ones in that there will be eight, 6ft.3in. * 3ft.3in., and based on Gospel narrative. They will not depict Christ but what He saw to give us a different perspective on a familiar story. With Lent approaching, it is appropriate to share the images now:

1. Jesus Condemned: Pilate washes his hands: his wife intervenes.

2. Jesus led away: Simon of Cyrene forced to carry the Cross.

3. Jesus encounters the women of Jerusalem.

4. Jesus nailed to the Cross. Clothes and dice nearby.

5. Pilate and the Chief Priests argue over inscription.

6. Thieves argue over Jesus.

7. Women at the foot of the Cross.

8. Jesus risen: the road to Emmaus.

I have to raise the princely sum of £10,000 to cast these panels in resin-bonded bronze - Arts Council please note! They will then have a preview in the Studio and/or Leake before going on a national tour next year. This will take in St.Dunstan's-in-the-West, London, then Chichester, possibly Salisbury and Durham, York, Newcastle (?) and Liverpool Cathedrals before ending up on permanent display at Burton Agnes Hall, Bridlington. This latter will be near the fruits of my previous project ten years ago, The Call of The Disciples. During Holy Week in the years ahead they can be borrowed from Burton Agnes Hall for parish use.

I finish on a few practical points for the cover of the Hillside Parishes, May 1st to August 21st. There is a timetable of services and visiting priests. The Leake service at 11.00 on May 14th is abandoned in favour of the Deanery Youth Camp service at Kirby Knowle (in-field). Liz is undertaking to do any occasional offices (weddings and funerals), and any pastoral care that may be needed. Despite it being summer there will be no cover for evensongs - but this does not prevent local initiatives continuing or hosting Songs of Praise etc. I hope you will find an invasion of visiting preachers stimulating and interesting. Also that you will come to the preview to enjoy the fruits of my labours sometime in the Autumn. It is all good "food for thought" and perhaps a prompt to encourage others to think about sabbatical space in your own lives/jobs. Also please benefit from the series of our Food for Thought programme in March.