From the Rector
The College for Congregational Development
Tomorrow I head out for a week+ for The College for Congregational Development in the Diocese of Maryland. As many of you know, since May 2019 I have served as the Director of this new initiative for leadership development in our diocese. We launched this two-year program in June 2020 and I’m excited for our first class of “graduates” this year.
So, what is The College? Over the next few days trainers from five different states and Germany will be converging on the Claggett Center to set up and prepare, and on Sunday we’ll welcome 45 participants from eight different dioceses. We will spend next week diving deep into congregational development models and theory, equipping lay and clergy leaders with tools to develop their congregations into more faithful, healthy, and effective communities of faith.
This is work that I am passionate about and that is necessary now more than ever. One of the things we focus on in The College is how to effectively lead through change. What have the last two years been other than one long exercise in change? And as we look ahead, it is clear that the Church is going to continue to need to change to keep pace with the world around us.
Please keep all of our trainers and participants in prayer over the coming week, and I’ll see you on the flip side on June 12 – likely both tired and exhilarated!
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Kristin+ Away
Kristin+ will be out of the office from June 3 through June 11 for The College for Congregational Development. If you have a pastoral emergency please call her cell phone.
The Rev. Joanna White, Canon for Pastoral Services, Diocese of Maryland, will be our guest celebrant on June 5. Joanna serves as the chaplain for clergy, diocesan staff, and their families. Joanna graduated from Yale Divinity School and was ordained by the Diocese of New York. She has served as rector of three parishes and done combined parish ministry and chaplaincy work, as well as work in recovery services. Joanna lives in Annapolis and has three children and four granddaughters. She has 2 grand-dogs and one ungrateful grand-cat who requested to be added to the family listing.
Formation
Come celebrate and give thanks on Sunday, June 5th for our wonderful Sunday School students. The closing ceremony will take place during the 9:30 a.m. worship service outdoors in the Memorial Garden. (In case of rain, it will be moved indoors). All students will be recognized and receive a Certificate of Attendance, whether they attended Zoom classes or in-person classes during the year.
We give thanks for our dedicated Sunday School teachers who have led the students during the year and adjusted lesson plans according to the many changes we’ve experienced. They are: Yvette Allen, Betsy Davis, Natalie DelRegno, Joan Fader, as well as our faithful “subs” Cheri McClanahan and Peter Sabonis. Great job!
Special thanks go out to Yvette Allen and Natalie DelRegno who will not be returning to teach in the fall. They will be missed by the children as well as the teaching team. We are now recruiting teacher volunteers. If you have an interest in helping in any way or have any questions about the program, please contact/see Joan Fader (faderj1@juno.com) There is great joy in working with the children of our parish and hoping you will consider this amazing ministry.
Here comes summer……….enjoy and stay in touch!
Youth Group Summer Hang Out
Come hang out around the campfire and enjoy some s’mores in the field behind the church on Sunday 6/26 at 7:00 pm. Bring a chair or blanket and your water bottle, we’ll supply the treats. It will be a chance to catch up on how your school year ended and hear about ideas for Youth Group in the fall! Sign up here.
Choir
With the arrival of the warmer weather, the choir has hung up our robes for the summer season, but that doesn’t mean that music has to stop. As we move outdoors for the summer, our voices are joined by the birdsong in the Memorial Garden, and even without the organ, we can still sing loud and make joyful noise!
Our choir will resume rehearsals in August, in preparation for returning to our indoor services after Labor Day. If you’re interested in being a part of the choir at St. James’ (no prior experience singing or reading music necessary), please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Sunday Worship Information
Join us on June 5th for The Day of Pentecost. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 9:30 am in the Memorial Garden, or watch the livestream on Facebook.
A printable bulletin can be found here.
Lectionary Readings
Facebook Livestream
We plan to begin streaming to Facebook at 9:30 am. If you arrive at Facebook and you don’t see the video, please refresh your screen. There is a delay.
Announcements
2022 BRICK CAMPAIGN IS HERE
To help continue the ongoing maintenance and beautification of our Memorial Garden, St. James’ is happy to announce our 2022 Brick Campaign has begun! Please pick up your order forms in the narthex or contact the office and we will be happy to send one in the mail.
Next Week’s Commemorations:
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2022 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you pray to on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Brian and Jessica Bahorich (Isabella, Ryker)
Kathleen Barazotto (Phillip, Daniel)
Jane Barger
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
