Loading...We’ve been learning more and more about each other in these past 22 months. Here are some of the things I’ve noticed about you:
This is a place where we have individuals and teams of people who have found ways to broadly share God’s love. From serving people most in need through Laundry Love, collecting food and necessities for both humans and their pets, supporting outreach initiatives like the yard sale, and giving money to discretionary funds to support programs and individuals in life-saving ways, you make a difference in the lives of people you’ve met or whose needs are met through your generosity.
You support our lives of prayer as members and supporters of the DOK and the people who make our blankets both for healing and for joy. We have loyal members whose visits ensure our home-bound members know they are abundantly loved and remain important members of our faith community. You have joined me at the Farmer’s Market table, letting the community hear about St. James’. And you do plenty of other things outside of our organized ministries to shower people with love. I am grateful.
Some of you love to learn and a group of you met with me to walk through the Way of Love curriculum for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation. We studied the catechism for months in preparation for St. James’ Day when 5 were confirmed, 1 received, and 1 formally reaffirmed her faith. And even more came forward at the invitation of the bishop to commit to their faith. Others have dedicated four years to Education for Ministry (EfM), with a good number graduating from the program in 2024. For our Lenten program, we explored how the pandemic impacted our lives in both positive and not so great ways, having some deep conversations that led to some unexpected epiphanies. And then there are those who have been a part of a book study that has become a bible study and will return to a book study in May, meeting on Monday mornings for informal conversations that lead us to a deeper relationship with the story of God and with one another. It is wonderful to be surrounded by people with a desire to learn.
We baptized two, buried four (one was off-site), and married one couple (at Calvary) and fervently prayed for so many who have been ill in 2024, because life in the church contains all these moments of joy and sorrow and hope.
The vestry works well together, and were tasked with making some big decisions. They discerned, with the help of the Finance Committee, that we can rely on the Lizzie Fund and voluntary donations to pay for the upcoming repair and reconstruction of the bell tower and bell, rather than embarking on a capital campaign. This work will begin when we have chosen contractors for the work, and we fit into their schedules.
The vestry gives of their time and talent to do the “business” of the church. They also participate in the “life” of the church through their involvement in many ministries and social activities. Join me in thanking them for their commitment to St. James’.
St. James’ Preschool is a vibrant part of who we are and provides vital early education. Led by Melissa Weidman and her team of teachers and assistants, we have enjoyed nearly full enrollment in this academic year. (There are only 2 openings in the 4’s class.) I have been blessed to be with the kids once a month during our special chapel time, and to regularly meet with Melissa.
It is a gift to be the Rector of this vibrant community and diocese. I get to see how you each show love to the world in your unique ways. I get to lead you in a variety of worship styles, work with you, listen to you, pray with you, and hopefully guide and teach you as we all explore what it means to be people of God in this changing and sometimes challenging world.
The (paid and unpaid) Staff brings me so much joy and hope. I am incredibly blessed to work with each of them:
I am thankful to have Deacon Mary Abrams for the months she is here. Her presence brightens the room, her devotion to serving the bishop and the diocesan initiatives, her enthusiasm for worship and education are all so encouraging. She is a thoughtful and prepared leader and trainer. I see why you all respect and admire her so much.
I appreciate Joe John’s deep insights and historical knowledge. His role as Verger is more than just a “master of ceremonies,” as he continues to educate not only me, but many of you. He ensures the altar is ready, that we have chalice bearers, maintains the altar guild, and makes sure we have readers (and that they are prepared in advance) for worship each week.
Daniel Martin’s ability to improvise, incorporate new (to me and maybe you) and familiar liturgical music and even hymns into our worship is such a gift to all of us. My gratitude for quality music from a talented organist and choir is beyond words. I am deeply grateful for our collegial partnership in planning worship and preparing our leaflets.
Having someone like Annie Casey in the office is essential to the day-to-day management of the church. We missed her during her maternity leave at the beginning of the year. Thanks to Debbie & Randy Stover and Mary Harding for coming in and holding down the fort as best we could, and to Tommy Cheek for stepping into a bigger role than just Treasurer to ensure the bills got paid and payroll was managed. Annie’s ability to juggle all she does, here at church and at home, is something I admire, and I cherish our working relationship.
And how good is Dan Haas? His quiet and unassuming commitment to St. James’ and his willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our building and grounds are well maintained and problems fixed (by him or others) is something we all recognize as his deep love for this place and these people. Oh, and he is a Verger-in-training, acolyte, and he schedules our ushers/greeters. So much for all of us to be thankful for!
2025 will bring a lot of talk about growth, beginning with this Annual Meeting. When we think about what we want to do or change, we will ask the question, “How will this help us grow?”
To help us grow spiritually, I’ve been working to create partnerships to share in learning opportunities, activities, and special worship services with St. Thomas, St. Luke’s, and Pewee Valley Presbyterian. I hope you will find ways to participate in the opportunities that both match your interests and challenge your comfort.
For us to grow in numbers, I encourage you to list all the reasons you love St. James’ and then use that list to help you invite friends and acquaintances to join us for worship or events.
I hope you hear in most of my sermons how we are each beloved by God. Because of that love we act as people who Love People and Serve People. As we begin 2025, I have hope that we will build on that statement by inviting others to join us to worship, pray, learn, and celebrate, so that we can love and serve even more people!
