Rector
Senior Warden Announcement & Welcoming New Vestry Members
A warm welcome to our 2019-2022 Vestry class, elected at our Annual Meeting last Sunday: Ty Conlon, Bill Ellis, Andrew Gobien, and Steve Stowell. I am also delighted to announce that Vestry member Jeannie Pellicier has accepted my offer to be our next Senior Warden.
I have had the privilege of working with three wonderful Senior Wardens at St. James’ so far – Lynda Ellis, Bonnie Winkler, and Cheri McClanahan – and I’m excited to partner with Jeannie in the coming year.
The role of Senior Warden in the parish is unique. They used to commonly be called the Rector’s Warden, a nod to their role of serving as a lay consultant and advisor to the Rector (as our bylaws say). But as the senior lay officer of the parish, they also serve the community as a whole. While I certainly hope that people will share ideas and concerns with me as the Rector, the Senior Warden is another person that folks can reach out to when needed.
Senior Wardens are chosen by the Rector and can either be a standing member of the Vestry or not. Their length of term is also variable, and different Rector’s have different approaches to this. Personally, I think 1-2 years works well, though I’d stretch that to 3 years if the circumstances called for it.
For example, Lynda served for a total of around 5 years as Senior Warden – much of which was through the transition between Rectors, and then helping me get acclimated when I was called to St. James’. Because Lynda was so capable and people felt she left big shoes to fill, I decided to ask the next Senior Warden, Bonnie, to commit to 1 year to serve as a bridge. Bonnie brought her deep knowledge of our community and straightforward get-it-done attitude to the job, and did just that, for which I continue to be thankful. Last year Cheri accepted the call to serve for 1-2 years. She shared her professional expertise and competent can-do attitude, leading our Stewardship campaign and spearheading an overhaul of our Personnel Handbook – all while working full time and going to school. It was in light of these other responsibilities that she discerned the need to pull back from continuing to serve for a second year, which I both fully understand and support.
Which brings us to now, and Jeannie. Jeannie is entering the final year of her 3 year term on the Vestry, which she will serve concurrent with serving as Senior Warden. She is a long-time member of St. James’, and so that knowledge – along with being “in the weeds” as to our current ministry needs as a member of Vestry – is part of why I discerned to ask her to be Senior Warden. I have also experienced Jeannie as thoughtful, compassionate, and prayerful – three things I think are important for leadership in a faith community. I am grateful that her own prayer and discernment led her to say yes!
The whole Vestry will be going on retreat the last weekend of February for a time of team building as we welcome new members, for prayer and restoration, and to do the work of visioning and planning for our parish family. Please keep our leaders in prayer!
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Environmental Stewardship
How about participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count this year?
One of the first citizen science projects, the 22nd Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will be held again this year on February 15-18, 2019’; a joint project of Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. The purpose is to get a yearly glimpse of the status of the birds in our communities. The data from this project allows researchers and legislators to work to protect our birds and our shared environment. Birds are indicator species – species that serve as an early warning of degradation of in a natural community or ecosystem. Have you heard of the canary in the coal mine? Therefore, studying changes in birds can help us anticipate and maybe prevent degradation of our natural areas.
Birds are found all over the world – on every continent – and many migrate between countries and/or 
continents. We all see birds every day – now you can see how many there are in your yard. Last year more than 180,000 checklists were submitted, 6,459 bird species observed and 28,897,334 individual birds were counted. 2018 was “largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded “(www.audubon.org). The data collection over time can show changes in bird populations, migration patterns and shifts in habitats. This data can be viewed by the public in real time. You can see where people are reporting from and see their data as they submit their information. Maps and charts are also included. It is fun to see the shifts in data as people submit their counts. Are you a photographer? GBBC also has a Photo Contest to highlight your fantastic photographs. You can view contests from previous years at www.gbbc.birdcount.org.
This project is open to everyone – a great project to do with kids – you can participate from the comfort of your house – watching and recording the activity at your bird feeder or in your yard or by taking part in a scheduled local walk or a local nature center or park. It can take as little as fifteen minutes on one day or several times a day for each of the four days. Participants are asked to watch birds for at least 15 minutes and report their results online at birdcount.org. It is okay if you do not know all the birds in your backyard – submit what you know. Bird lists and bird identification guides are provided for your area through the website as well as detailed instructions for identifying and counting birds.
Go to www.gbbc.birdcount.org and/or citizenscience@audubon.org for more information. Or ask Liz Peterson, jplp5@yahoo.com.
Have fun!
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office Schedule for the week of February 3.
Monday – Thursday 10-4.
Scout Sunday February 3
All Scouts are invited to wear their uniforms and come forward during both services to be recognized and receive a blessing.
A Service of Healing and Hope after reproductive loss
On Saturday, February 9th at 7:00 pm you are invited to gather for a service of healing and hope for those who
have experienced loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, placing a child for adoption, having a failed adoption placement, or inability to conceive. It is designed to offer a space for grieving and healing through prayer, hearing God’s word, anointing, and the sharing of stories. Everyone who has experienced these losses – both women and men – is invited to attend, whether your loss is a recent hurt or something that has been with you for decades. If you know someone for whom this service would be meaningful please share this information with them and invite them to come. Please contact Rev. Kristin+ (rector@stjamesmtairy.org / 443.902.0106) with any questions.
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2018 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you to pray on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Bonnie Winkler
Robin Winkler-Pickett
Blix and Lucy Winston
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
Readings for the 4 Epiphany, February 3, 2019 :
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
Commemorations for the week of February 3, 2019:
