Weekly electronic newsletter
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…
From the Rector Diocesan Convention Resolutions Our annual diocesan convention, which usually happens in May, was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will now take place mostly virtually on September 12. St. James’ delegate Carla Kaufman and I will both be attending. Pre-Convention hearings on the proposed resolutions will also take place virtually this…
Vestry August at St. James always seems like a sleepy month – many folks are on vacations or focused on preparing their children to start school. But, many parishioners and committees are busy preparing for this fall. The Sunday School teachers recently had discussions with parents to envision what classes could look like this fall.…
From the Rector – A Little Bit of Summer Left As we begin to turn our eyes toward fall and families plan for the start of school, here are a few ideas for some quality family time before everything changes again. Both involve inviting our children into practices that can help to calm and ground…
From the Rector – Supporting St. James’ Thrift Shop Today I have two asks for you – prayer and action. First, please keep our Thrift Shop Manager Sandy Baker in prayer as she faces some serious health issues (not COVID related). Please also keep our dedicated staff (Becki, Sergio, Jeanne, and Ed), and the volunteers who…
Vestry Compassion Camp This week, approximately 16 children from St. James’ and St. Andrews’ Episcopal Churches are attending the first Virtual VBS Compassion Camp. You’re probably asking “How does this work?” Honestly, we weren’t sure either at the beginning of the week!! But, I can say with confidence, it is a huge success! What a joy it…
From the Rector The one where I talk about prayer. Again. Today while sitting for a spell to think and pray in the Memorial Garden, I spied a hawk gliding high in the sky above, circling and probably searching for lunch. It brought to mind a poem by Mary Oliver. As far as poems go,…
From the Rector Prayers when you feel anxious One of good things that came out of the last few months was so many organizations and companies creating free resources. One in particular that I have loved using is the Prayers When You Feel Anxious coloring pages from Illustrated Ministry. I shared it on Facebook earlier…