WESTPORT — Rev. Alison Patton, pastor of Saugatuck Congregational Church, will take a sabbatical next year to volunteer with a marine conservation program in the Maldives and spend time with family on a regenerative farm in Costa Rica.

A $50,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program funding Patton’s sabbatical is one of 190 awards made to churches around the country. 

Patton’s three-month sabbatical will start next June.

The program is designed to “allow congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities,” according to the announcement from the Saugatuck Congregational Church Council.

The “competitive” grants program, established in 1999, is funded by Lily Endowment Inc. and administered by the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.

In developing a sabbatical plan, clergy are encouraged by the renewal program to consider, “What makes their heart sing,” the announcement says.

Patton said of her sabbatical plans: “I used to think I wanted to be a marine biologist. I now know I’m not a scientist; I am an admirer of the natural world in all its rich biodiversity. 

“In the face of a worsening climate crisis and multiplying threats to biodiversity, I believe we are called to help craft a sustainable future for our planet,” the minister is quoted in the church’s statement.

She added that she is “excited” about the opportunity to “take a deep dive into two biodiverse environments” of the Maldives and Costa Rica. During that time, she hopes “to witness the impact of climate change, explore what’s being done to combat it and share some of that adventure with my family.”

With the start of Patton’s sabbatical, Rev. Jim Antal will serve as a theologian-in-residence at Saugatuck Congregational Church next June.

Antal is the United Church of Christ’s national spokesman for climate change and author of the book, “Climate Church/Climate World.” He plans to lead the congregation and wider community in discussions about the impact of climate change and steps to promote a more sustainable future. 

Other environmental initiatives planned by the church will include field trips to explore coastal Connecticut, as well as arts and photography exhibits highlighting coastal habitats. All SCC programs will be open to the public.