From the Rector Preparing for Sabbatical Time In three months we will be launching into a time of sabbatical when I will be stepping away from the St. James’ community for fourteen weeks. As you may recall, in 2020 we were awarded a clergy renewal grant from the Lilly Foundation. This grant will be funding…
From the Rector Diocesan COVID Green Phase Update Great news! Our case rates in Carroll County have fallen low enough that we will enter the diocesan green phase next week. This will mean several changes for our life together in the coming weeks as we slowly build a “new normal.” Mask Use Beginning Monday 3/21…
From the Rector Bishop Search Listening Sessions & Survey As you may remember, last year Bishop Sutton called for the election of a bishop coadjutor as he plans to retire in 2024. The Bishop Search Committee is hard at work developing a search profile and there are two upcoming ways for you to participate. The…
From the Rector New Diocesan COVID Guidelines The diocese has released new Green Omicron Phase guidelines to gather the next steps of our regathering. You can click here to read full details. The big thing that everyone is wondering about is when will masks become optional. Under the new parameters we can begin optional masking…
Journeying Through Lent This year for Lent, which begins in less than two weeks, we’re leaning into the image of journeying. We’ll begin on Shrove Tuesday 3/1 when we gather for fellowship, to burn last year’s palms, to bury an alleluia banner, and to pray Compline. There is a simple beauty that journey of taking…
Entering Lent We are a few weeks away from once again entering the holy season of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is March 1st and Ash Wednesday is March 2nd. Like many of you, the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper is one of my favorite events of the year. That’s why I’m sorry to share that after consideration…
This Sunday we will celebrate Scouts with participation and blessing of our very own BSA Troop 829. Please check out the Annual Report to read about all the amazing accomplishments and activities of our boys and girls. After worship you will have a final chance to partake in this year’s popcorn sale. The Trail’s End Popcorn Sale is Troop 829’s main fundraiser…
From the Rector Bishop’s Visitation & Confirmation We are excited to welcome the Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, The Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff, to St. James’ on Sunday, February 13th for our diocesan visitation. Bishop Ihloff will preach and preside at worship and spend time afterward sharing about news from around the…
From the Rector Join the Livestream Ministry There’s a clergy group on Facebook that I’ve belonged to for a few years called “Things they didn’t teach us in seminary!” It’s a good place to seek advice and share joys, and the title definitely fits for our newest ministry – livestreaming worship. I learned nothing about…
From the Rector In light of the continuing surge of Covid cases in our area, and after prayerful reflection, we have made the decision to move to only one in-person service at 10:30 am on Sundays for the rest of January. Services will continue to be livestreamed to Facebook, and as indicated in the…