From the Rector
Giving Thanks & Sharing Stories
It was with a heart full of gratitude that last Sunday I joyously returned from sabbatical. It was wonderful to be greeted by so many dear faces and to worship and share a meal together! As we come back together after our parallel journeys over the last three and a half months, two main things are on my mind: gratitude and storytelling.
I want to begin by saying I am grateful for too many things to name, but first and foremost is this community. From the way you supported our application for a Lilly Foundation National Clergy Renewal Grant back in 2020, to the way so many different people worked in various ways to prepare for our sabbatical time once it finally came to pass. For the amazing leave-taking picnic and the heartfelt welcome back luncheon. And for everything in between: for everyone who stepped into leadership in big and small ways, for taking care of each other, for welcoming our guest clergy, for getting stuff done when it needed to be done, and for continuing to be the church for each other and for the world!
I am also grateful for the gift of sabbatical itself. It might have been as clear to you as it was to me that by last spring, I was burnt out. Crispy is the word that I used to describe how I felt. The time away was restorative and life-giving. The pilgrimage to the Holy Land was amazing and transformational, it was everything I hoped for and more. But the thing that fed my heart, soul, body, and mind the most was having time to just STOP. To stop doing all the time and remember how to be. To be with God, to be with myself, to be with my family. It was through this that I truly felt renewal take hold. I am returning to you a healthier priest with a renewed sense of purpose.
My hope is that it has been an enriching time for all of you as well. That you’ve enjoyed hearing the voices of other clergy. That you’ve learned new things about this community, each other, and yourselves. That you too have come to know God in new ways. I can’t wait for us to share stories with each other, and for you to teach me what you’ve learned.
As I said in my sermon last Sunday, as I was gearing up to return, thinking about how we will come back together after so much time apart, I thought back to my first year with you as your rector. It’s hard to believe that September 1st began our eighth year in ministry together, but after these fourteen weeks of parallel journeying, we are in some ways beginning again.
Some of you may remember that during my first year here at St. James’ one of the things I focused on was storytelling. I wanted to hear stories about this community (what you were passionate about, what things were hard, and what things were hopeful). I wanted to hear your individual stories to begin to understand how to pastor you. And I began sharing my stories, so you could come to know me.
I believe that in this post-sabbatical season, storytelling could be a powerful way for us to renew our relationship and discern a path together for our future ministry. I am looking forward to catching up with you when we gather on Sundays, in ministry, and one on one. And I’m excited to share more about my time away, especially our Holy Land pilgrimage. If you’re interested in hearing about it join me after the 10:30 am service on Sunday 10/30 for a slideshow and reflections of our time in Israel and Palestine.
I’d like to close with the beautiful prayer Sabbatical Team member Joan Fader wrote for us to pray together last Sunday:
Lord, you have guided us through the past few months to walk in faith with our parish family, for which we are grateful. We now celebrate with thanksgiving the safe return of our rector Kristin+, Zachary, and Jasper, and we look forward to sharing the many stories of our “journey in faith” together. We give thanks for the many blessings we have received. Amen.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Daughters of the King
Daughters of the King
St. James’ Chapter
An Order for laywomen of the Episcopal Church
With the joys of summer behind us, we now welcome October and the changes the season will bring with it. Autumn has arrived.
As the Daughters continue to pray for our parish members, you are welcome to contact any one of us with a prayer request at any time.
Karen Dulany, Joan Fader, Margaret Neff, Peg Pelch, Joanna Sutphin
Sunday Worship Information
Join us on October 16th for The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary at 8:30 am and 10:30, or watch the 10:30 service livestream on Facebook.
A printable bulletin can be found here.
Lectionary Readings
Facebook Livestream
We plan to begin streaming to Facebook at 10:30 am. If you arrive at Facebook and you don’t see the video, please refresh your screen. There is a delay.
Announcements
VESTRY NOMINATIONS
The Vestry Nominating Committee is excited to announce they are accepting nominations for the 2023-2026 Vestry Class. A nominating form is available on our website or in the narthex along with details of ideal qualities for candidates along with Vestry member responsibilities.
You can submit your name or the name of someone you think would be a candidate by completing the online form or connecting with a member of the Nominating Committee (Matt Kastel, Dave Rak, Rainey Stafford) by Sunday, November 13, 2022.
CARE PACKAGES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
The Outreach Committee would love to have the names and addresses of all our young men and women that are attending college whether they are away from home, commuting or studying virtually; please send their contact information to office@stjamesmtairy.org.
We plan to send them “CARE Packages” in mid-October; so please donate NOW.
Please donate items such as hot chocolate, razors, shower scrubbies, fruit snacks, pencils, cookies, pop tarts, instant coffees, tea, chips, goldfish, Pringle’s, microwave mac ‘n cheese, microwave popcorn, tissues, lotion and small bottles of hand sanitizer.
Collection containers will be in the in the Narthex.
Thank you so much, in advance, from your Outreach Committee for your kind donations.
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:
Mark and Wanda Meinschein
Fred and Jennifer Meisenkothen (Zachary, Emma)
Dee Moore
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
YOUTH EVENTS
Events and activities planned and led by our Canon for Youth. Visit the Youth Ministry Events Page or contact Kate Riley, kriley@episcopalmaryland.org.
Safe Dating Workshop: a time for conversation for teens and parents, November 6, 3:00-5:00 PM, Trinity, Towson. Join Kate Riley and Laura McGuire for a workshop where you can ask questions about dating, relationships, boundaries, sex, and what God has to do with it all. Bring your questions and your concerns. For all youth in grades 6, and up and the people who love them. Register via email to Laura McGuire lmcguire@trinitychurchtowson.org.
Youth Presence at Diocesan Convention, November 11-12, Middle and high school students (7th-12th grade). Collect up to 12 service hours for credit while acting as a page at Diocesan Convention followed by a Friday night lock in to stretch, eat, and have some fun. On Saturday morning, our youth join the bishops for breakfast. This is a great opportunity to learn more about diocesan governance and polity. Register online using this parental consent form.
Hello friends!
We are just a month out from our diocesan convention! YAY! Please join me and some friends for an excellent overnight experience. You get some service hours, delicious food, a chance to see how the diocese operates, and an excused absence from school. The link to sign up is below! I hope to see y’all there.
Diocesan Convention
November 11-12, 2022
7th grade – 12th grade
No cost
Middle and high school students are invited to serve as pages for the Friday and Saturday of Convention! Collect up to 12-15 service hours for credit while we hand out voting ballots, count votes, and serve at the need of the Bishops. We will also have a lock in to stretch, eat, and have some fun. Saturday morning includes breakfast with the bishops and the youth! A great opportunity to learn more about how the diocese operates and ask questions.
http://episcopalmarylandyouth.weebly.com/events.html
Kate Riley | she/her/hers
Canon for Youth and Young Adults
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
(410) 467-1399 Ext: 1353
kriley@episcopalmaryland.org
Mondays are my sabbath.
