Rector – General Convention Wrap-Up
Before we look ahead to being the host Diocese for the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in 2021 in Baltimore, I invite you to take some time to review what happened at the 79th General Convention in Austin, TX earlier this month.
You can find a concise wrap-up from Episcopal News Service (ENS) here. (https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/07/16/general-convention-wrap-up-following-the-way-of-jesus/)
You can also see reports from our Diocese of Maryland Delegation by clicking on the pinned post at the top of the Facebook page here.
https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalMaryland/
A quick reminder that our structure at the national level is bicameral, with a House of Bishops and a House of Delegates (made up of lay people and clergy). Similar to our US Congress, legislation can begin in either house, amendments can be made, and it must be passed by both houses to become official.
As Episcopalians we live life in layers of community: our home parish, our Diocese, our Province, the national church, and the wider Anglican Communion. We have historically been a church of common prayer rather than common belief. This provides space for us to come together across differences, to pray, sing, and meet at God’s table for sustenance, before being sent out to do the work we are given to do. When we do this, we remember that we belong to God – and to each other – no matter what. It also means that movement for change happens in both directions – from parishes outward, and from larger church structures back down. Change in either direction is necessarily slow (which is hard for some and a Godsend for others), allowing space for conversation and reflection – and the movement of the Holy Spirit among us!
I offer this perspective so that if you are gung-ho about things that came out of General Convention, or if you are concerned or apprehensive – know that in many ways the end of Convention is really the beginning of the work of our common life, which begins always by showing up and praising God together every Sunday just like we always have.
I am away this Sunday 7/22 (Appalachia here we come!). We return just in time for Sunday 7/29, where telling our story from that trip will be in the forefront. On Sunday 8/5 Ministry Chairs will be gathering after church to plan for the coming year, and I’ll be away for my last bit of vacation on Sunday 8/13. For anyone who would like to talk about what’s come out of General Convention – questions, concerns, ideas for us at St. James’ – I will be available for a group conversation during coffee hour on Sunday 8/19. If you’d prefer to talk one on one email me and we can set up a time to get together. In the meantime, I offer this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer –
For the Parish:
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Nursery School
Hello all!! I just wanted to share with all of you that we received our re-accreditation from the Maryland State Department of Education today!! I want to extend my appreciation to all of the parents (and grandparents) that helped, to our Nursery School Board, for their support, and to each of our wonderful staff members for their tireless work and commitment to our outstanding program! ~Pat Castle, Director
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Outreach Center
Our group is leaving this Sunday for Appalachia for our summer service trip. Find out where we are going, why we are going and what we will be doing while we’re there. Our partner this year, St. Andrews Glenwood put together a great video explaining the importance of this mission. visit the St. Timothy’s website for some really inspiring blog posts from other visiting groups.
Please remember to pray for the success of our mission:
O gracious and loving God, you work everywhere reconciling, loving, and healing your people and your creation. In your Son and through the power of your Holy Spirit, you invite each of us to join you in your work. We, young and old, lay and ordained, ask you to form us more and more in your image and likeness, through our prayer and worship of you and through the study of your scripture, that our eyes will be fully opened to your mission in the world. Then, God, into our communities, our nation, and the world, send us to serve with Christ, taking risks to give life and hope to all people and all of your creation. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office Hours Week of July 22
Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Thursday 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Where in the Church is Flat St. James?
See our guest clergy Elaine+ to get your passport stamped!
Take Flat St. James with you wherever you go this summer!
St. James makes a mean pot of coffee at Greenbrier State Park with Sharon, Ernie and Max Hansen.
M.A.D. Camp
Our campers have worked very hard this week learning music, memorizing lines and crafting the set for this Friday’s performance of Pinocchio. Join us at 6:30 to see the culmination of our 2018 Music/Art/Drama Camp.
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2018 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you to pray on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Patricia Chalk
Joan Collins
Ty and Ashley Conlon (JT, Penny, Daphne, Marshall)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
