Announcements

  • The Shell Newsletter – December 13, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – December 13, 2018

    From the Rector – The Hospitality of Christmas In Advent, as we look toward Christmas, we prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ child.  At home, we often prepare our houses for holiday guests.  When we prepare, we offer hospitality – that is, the disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a…

  • The Shell Newsletter – December 6, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – December 6, 2018

    From the Rector – St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra Long before the legends of a round, gift giving fellow named Santa Claus were heard, there was Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Turkey.  He was born in the year 280 ce and after his death he became a saint.  Today, December 6th is his feast…

  • The Shell Newsletter – November 29, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – November 29, 2018

    Vestry – Congregational Life Cycle A few months ago, Rev. Kristin shared her reflections on the education and training we received at the College for Congregational Development last June.  In her Shell article she explained that Congregation Development (CD) is the development of congregations of all sizes, locations, and conditions into more faithful, healthy,…

  • The Shell Newsletter – November 22, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – November 22, 2018

    From the Rector – Advent, The Way Of Love Turn.  Learn.  Pray.  Worship.  Bless.  Go.  Rest. These are the practices that our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael Curry, has put forth as the path to living a Jesus-Centered life.  Take a few minutes and learn a bit about them by watching this video:…

  • The Shell Newsletter – November 8, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – November 8, 2018

    From the Rector – Shining a Light So Lovely Today we woke to news of another mass shooting in our nation.  Every day it seems as if forces are working to stoke fear and deepen divides among us.  What can we do in times such as this? First and foremost we are called to…

  • The Shell Newsletter – November 1, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – November 1, 2018

    From the Rector All Saints and All Souls, A Celebration of Faith and Remembering Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those…

  • The Shell Newsletter – October 25, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – October 25, 2018

    Vestry UPDATE:  The Maryland Diocesan Resolution 2018-2 – Offer Caring, Practical Response to the Opioid Crisis in Our Communities On October 10, 2018, four individuals from St. James’, Janet McKeever, Meghan McKeever, Katie McKeever, and Rev. Kristin, attended a training hosted by Frederick County Behavioral Health Services on how to recognize, respond, and administer…

  • The Shell Newsletter – October 18, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – October 18, 2018

    From the Rector – Transforming Through Generosity Last Sunday we heard a powerful testimony from Peter Sabonis about the power of church communities to sustain us during hard times in our lives.  He spoke about the fact that we have a community to support us week in and week out, a place we can…

  • The Shell Newsletter – October 11, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – October 11, 2018

    From the Rector – The Blessing of the Beasts As the expression goes, better late than never.  While the first Sunday in October is the traditional time to bless pets, as it is closest to the Feast of St. Francis, this year we transferred the blessing to this Sunday – so get ready to…

  • The Shell Newsletter – October 4, 2018

    The Shell Newsletter – October 4, 2018

    From the Rector – Will You Serve With Us Next Summer? Summer just ended, but we’re already planning for next years’ service trips!  As many of you heard in the reflections offered the Sunday we returned, and saw with our slideshow presentation, we had a very meaningful trip to St. Timothy’s Outreach Center in…