From the Rector

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  This week, I visited my favorite labyrinth called Sholom Park Labyrinth Path.  It is a large, park-sized labyrinth that is so immersive and full of life that it seamlessly transports the walker into a spiritually transformative experience.  It is so enveloping that it is surprisingly easy to forget you are in…

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  I’ve spent the past six weeks outlining our spiritual and missional camino at St. James’ Mt. Airy.  We are now ready to begin preparations for “walking” this pilgrimage of faith, discovery, and service. COMMUNITY STORY STEWARDSHIP FAITH ADVOCACY We formally recognize this pilgrimage together as The Camino of St. James’, Mt.…

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  Last week I introduced you to our Camino’s third path: STEWARDSHIP.  This week I will introduce you to the fourth path we will be walking together as a community: FAITH.   COMMUNITY STORY STEWARDSHIP FAITH ADVOCACY Pilgrimage is not just about reaching a destination; it is about the journey itself.  Along…

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  Last week I introduced you to our Camino’s second path: STORY.  This week I will introduce you to the third path we will be walking together as a community: STEWARDSHIP.   COMMUNITY STORY STEWARDSHIP FAITH ADVOCACY A pilgrim is someone who is on a sacred or meaningful journey, and carries only…

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  Last week I introduced you to the Camino paths we will be walking as a community of faith.  Those paths are: COMMUNITY STORY STEWARDSHIP FAITH ADVOCACY This week, I will share more about the first path: Community.  As a community, we walk together, for Christ, for one another, and for our…

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  Last week, I introduced you to the concept of our spiritual and ministerial Camino here at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Mt. Airy, MD.  We are pilgrims.  Like St. James the Greater, who left everything to follow Christ (Matthew 4:21-22) and became an apostle for Christ, the community of St. James’ Mt.…

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  As we approach my two-year mark at St. James’, Mt. Airy, (can you believe it?), I would like to take some time and space to offer my discernment of our mission and ministry here.  Over the past two years, I have spent time getting to know you as individuals and as…

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  I thought I’d share some Episcopal history this week.  Do you know who our very first Episcopal Bishop in America was?  His name was The Rev. Dr. Samuel Seabury and not only was he the first episcopal bishop in America, he was the very first bishop of any denomination in America! …

Hello, fellow pilgrims.  I had the good fortune of attending the production of “Joshua” at the Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster this week, and I will be processing the experience for a long time.  What an amazing portrayal of Joshua’s journey from The Book of Exodus through Numbers, Deuteronomy, and The Book of…