From the Rector – Sources of Transformation A few weeks ago at our Annual Meeting I taught one of the core models from the College for Congregational Development – Sources of Transformation. This model seeks to illustrate the various ways in which our faith and lives are transformed when we gather together as the body…
From the Rector – Vacation Bible School Update To better match our upcoming VBS program with the number of volunteers able to participate in planning and leading, we are changing up our plans. We are now planning for a week long, half day camp (9:00 am – Noon) centered on the theme WAY OF LOVE. …
From the Rector – Why Do We Do That? – How2charist Whether you’re a lifelong Episcopalian or new to this branch of the church, you’ve probably had the stray thought (or active question!) about why we do some of the things we do during worship. Or maybe your experience on Sundays is so ingrained that…
From the Rector – Annual Meeting, What’s Different This Year? On Sunday 1/26 we will gather for the 2020 Annual Meeting. We’re changing things up this year in an effort to come together as a community to do our business (review budget, elect Vestry members) and to learn (I will be teaching a core ministry…
From the Rector – Giving Thanks and Saying Farewell Last September we welcomed DOV Intern Tommy Turbyville, and time sure has flown because now it is time to say thank you and farewell. This Sunday you’re invited to festive coffee hours in his honor after both services, and then on his last Sunday, 1/19, we…
From the Rector – Making VBS a reality this summer Last summer lots of folks weighed in on what type of Vacation Bible School (VBS) they would like to see here at St. James’ – and the winner was a week long daytime camp. We have set aside the week of August 3-7, 2020 on…
From the Rector – King’s College Festival of Lessons & Carols I don’t remember exactly when I first heard the King’s College Festival of Lessons and Carols, but in the ensuing years it has become one of the holiday traditions I most look forward to every Christmas Eve morning. The Festival was introduced in 1918…
From the Rector – Connecting to the Wider Church Because we are at a distance from the seat of the diocese in Baltimore, it can be easy to feel disconnected or just not pay attention to what’s going on in the wider church except at specific times, like Diocesan Convention (or General Convention when the…
As you may know, on November 25 there was an oven fire in our kitchen (see bottom of post for the email sent out at that time). We’d now to like update you on next steps for restoring the kitchen to full use. Last Saturday, November 30, about 25 folks, including parishioners and members of…
From the Rector – A Season of Joy, a Season of Grieving As Thanksgiving approaches, and with it the holiday season launching into full gear, I am deeply aware of many folks in our community who are grieving and for whom this time of year is hard. I also know that for some, the holidays…