Weekly electronic newsletter
From the Rector St. James’ Awarded Clergy Renewal Grant I am thrilled to officially share that we were among the 140 congregations across 36 states that have been awarded grants through the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program to fund my sabbatical! It seems like more than ten months ago that we were hosting info…
From the Rector Advent–Christmas–Epiphany Take Home Kits! The First Sunday of Advent is November 29th this year. One of the things I look forward to all year at church is our annual Advent wreath making party. Like so many other things, this is something we will not be able to do in the same way…
From the Rector Supporting Students through C.A.M.P. at the Claggett Center The Spirit has been on the move with the folks at the Claggett Center who this fall launched the Claggett Academic Mentoring Program (C.A.M.P.) to provide essential childcare and educational services for students grades K-8 and their families as they navigate virtual learning. Following…
Vestry Stewardship packets were mailed out earlier this week and I hope you’ve had a chance to read through yours. Our Stewardship campaign, “Faith-Filled Generosity” begins this Sunday with a live speaker at our 8:30 service and a video at our 10:30 Zoom service. I am looking forward to hearing these testimonials as they help…
From the Rector Transitioning the 8:30 am Eucharist Indoors Since July a small but devout crew has been worshipping in person outside in the Memorial Garden. As the seasons change we will be transitioning this 8:30 am Eucharist indoors beginning on November 1st. Our 10:30 am online service will continue as is. The Re-Gathering Team…
From the Rector The best 90 minutes you’ll spend this week I’m not much of a podcast person, but I made time this week to listen to this episode of Brené Brown’s Unlocking Us which features a conversation with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. This is how she describes the episode: We talk about love. Messy, hard, complicated…
From the Rector Hitting the Wall – and Making Time for Mini-Sabbaths Last week a friend shared a link to a Twitter thread that reflected on the dynamics of the 6 month mark in any sustained crisis – like the one we are experiencing with this global pandemic – and how we hit the wall.…
Vestry The year 2020 is one that we will all remember. Shrove Tuesday is one night that stands out in my memory as a night filled with music, good food and the joy of spending the night in the company of my fellow parishioners. Little did I know that in less than 3 weeks from…
From the Rector Diocesan Convention Follow Up Last Saturday the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland met for its 236th Diocesan Convention. Our Convention usually occurs in May but was postponed due to COVID. Because of the ongoing need for social distancing, most clergy and delegates gathered on Zoom, and it was livestreamed on YouTube. You can watch videos…
From the Rector Survey Results & What’s Next Thank you to everyone who filled out the August survey about worship and re-gathering. Fifty-three folks shared their thoughts and gave us lots of data to use for planning for the fall. The big picture is that while there is a small group of folks who prefer…