From the Rector
Reflections on the College for Congregational Development
Last Saturday Heather Albertson and I completed our second year of the College for Congregational Development (CCD). We read all the required books, did two parish projects, passed the exam – and graduated!
This isn’t the last you’ll be hearing about CCD though obviously, as I’m serving as the Director for CCD here in the Diocese of Maryland as we plan to launch the program next summer. Later this summer I’ll also be interning as a CCD Trainer for the Diocese of Rochester.
All of that is happening because I believe so fully in the work CCD engages clergy and laity in to develop parishes of all sizes, locations, and conditions into more faithful, healthy, and effective communities of faith.
This year that work included exploring core models for ministry, facilitation and meeting planning skills, data gathering and feedback processes, planned change processes, addressing conflict and trust building methods, personality types and group dynamics, intercultural communication and development.
Cumulatively, the two weeks I’ve spent at CCD over the last year have helped me understand our community better and given me tools and ideas for how we can grow to be a more healthy, faithful, and effective community of faith.
The projects that Heather and I did over the past year both focused on working with the Vestry – first last fall, and then in February at our Vestry retreat. We shared the fruit of that initial work at our Annual Meeting in January when I taught the Life Cycle of Organizations model and our consensus that St. James’ is in a place of stability that is trending toward stale/stagnant. The work organizations need to do at that stage is focus on core identity: Who are we? What are we here for? Who are our neighbors?
These are questions we now want to explore with the whole community. Over the summer we’re going to be developing a few ways to capture feedback from both focused groups (ministry leaders) and the wider congregation (all of us). As we move toward fall be on the lookout for how you can participate and help us discern who we are and how God is calling us to live out our faith together.
In the meantime, if you have questions or just want to know more about CCD then let me know – I’m always happy to talk and share!
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Thrift Shop
Going to the beach this summer?
If you need it, chances are we have it for less!
- Sandals
- Flip-flops
- Shorts & Capri’s
- Tank tops & Cammies
- Beach blankets & Towels
- Beach hats, Beach bags
- Books, movies, board games for children & adults
- Brand new Clothing & Shoes
- We also have scrubs, plus sizes, sleepwear, formal wear
- Maternity clothing, Children’s clothing
- Exercise and Sports clothing
Interested in “DIY” Projects from Pintrest?
We have lots and lots of items to choose from to make fun, Creative – Do it yourself projects that you can get from the popular website Pintrest!
St. James’ Thrift Shop needs your support this summer. We have a great staff, and we will save you time and Money! Why wouldn’t you come by?
Remember … we’re not just affordable, we’re Thrifty!
Coffee Hour
I am so proud to be a part of the “Coffee Hour Team”. I call it a team because the hosts are working so well together. We are trying something new this summer. We are not only serving our delicious Pfefferkorn’s Coffee, we are serving cold drinks such as lemonade and iced tea as well. So far, it seems to be a hit.
Although we have a terrific team, there is always room for new team members. Being part of the “Coffee Hour Team” is a great way to get involved and get to know others in the parish. Being part of the team doesn’t mean that you have to commit to being on the schedule to bring food. We would also welcome people who are willing to help with set-up and clean up. If you think you might be interested, please contact Carla Kaufman at 301.814.1465 or carlabarry38@yahoo.com.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office Schedule for the week of June 30
Monday through Wednesday 10-4.
Kristin+ Away
Kristin+ will be on vacation 7/3 through 7/9. Please contact Senior Warden, Jeannie Pellicier if a pastoral emergency arises.
Morning Prayer on 7/7
Kristin+ will be away on vacation on Sunday 7/7. Because we were not able to find another clergy person to be at St. James’ on that day, we will be turning to another part of our worship tradition and having Morning Prayer instead of Holy Eucharist. Some folks remember when Morning Prayer was the Sunday worship norm and others in our congregation aren’t familiar with this prayer practice – but we hope everyone will enjoy this change of pace over the holiday weekend. Blix Winston will be leading worship and offering a brief reflection on the scripture readings of the day.
Got Old Towels? Got Old Blankets? Got Old Sheets?
The Outreach Committee is holding a drive to collect old towels, blankets and sheets to donate to local animal rescue facilities. As you go through your closets and drawers look for items you could give us to help keep rescued dogs and cats comfortable. We will put a box at St. James’ to collect your donations. Thanks from the Out reach Committee!
Prayer Hike – Join us on a local hike that will include prayer! On July 7 we will hike to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. We’ll meet up at a designated location and be ready to head out at 3:00 pm. We’ll begin with prayer, stop part of the way through for a brief reading and reflection, and then close with prayer at the end. Invite your friends! Make sure you sign up in the narthex so we can contact you with details.
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:
Mark and Wanda Meinschein (Amanda)
Fred and Jennifer Meisenkothen (Zachary, Emma)
Dee Moore (Kyle)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
| Lectionary readings for the The Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 30, 2019 (Year C, RCL) 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62 |
| This week’s Commemorations (A Great Cloud of Witnesses, 2019, Church Publishing Group)
July 11 Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540 |
