From the Rector Communion and the Common Cup At the monthly meeting of clergy and senior wardens with our bishops this week, Bishop Sutton spoke about communion practices as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic our practices around communion shifted dramatically, from not having it at all, to communion only in…
Vestry It sounds a little surprising, but the vestry decided to move their November meeting to the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. We normally meet on third Tuesdays. That would’ve been the 15th, but many members had schedule conflicts that day. This is the time of the year when the treasurer and vestry begin preparing…
A Sabbatical Prayer Guide us, Lord, as we all journey through the months ahead together. Help us to walk trustingly in faith with our parish family and to serve one another humbly. May we always be aware of your presence and direction in all we do. Be with Kristin+, Zachary, and Jasper and give them joy…
It’s back! Our Memorial Day Cookout is scheduled for Saturday, May 28th at 5:00 pm, with a rain date on Sunday, May 29th after church at 10:30 am. Please bring your own drinks and chairs along with a dish to share. Some suggestions are potato salad, cut fruit and vegetables, chips, pretzels, brownies, cookies, etc.…
From the Rector Bishop’s Annual Ministries Appeal Every year we have the opportunity to give to the Bishop’s Annual Ministries Appeal to serve various ministry initiatives around the diocese. Through the programs supported by the Appeal our diocese helps in incredible ways, from assisting immigrants to get settled into a new…
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…
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…
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 Christmas can be hard Christmas is next week, and at this time of year many folks grieve loved ones who have died. I know that for some the holidays are hard for other reasons, like financial pressures, the stress of expectations to make everything special and perfect, and the anxiety of…
November 18, 2021 From the Rector Always we begin again We are a little over a week away from the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new church year. I love that every year we begin again with a season of expectation and anticipation – both for the annual celebration of the…