Dear St. James’ Parish Family, We have entered my favorite season of the church year, Advent. It is a time in which we can build in pauses and deep breaths as the world around us spins faster and faster. Advent is a season of hope and expectation, of reflection and preparation. It points us toward Bethlehem and the…
For God has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. ~ 2 Samuel 23:5b We read this passage from the last words of King David last Sunday. It is one of the many instances found in scripture of the repeated promise of eternal covenant with the people of Israel. And it is something we need to always…
This Sunday we come to the last Sunday of the church year. Traditionally known as the Feast of Christ the King, in recent years many have starting calling it the Feast of the Reign of Christ. I like that nuance because it speaks more to my experience. There are no kings in my day-to-day life…
One of the pieces of coming to know each other is learning how we care for one another. Pastoral care is an essential part of Christian community, and as your priest I have a role to play in this ministry. There is no one size fits all way of caring for each other. In my experience, some folk want others to walk…
Two things to note this week! First, we have moved the organ to better support the choir and Len’s ability to both play and direct them. The organ will now be towards the middle at the back of the sanctuary, with the choir seating also more centered. We’ll see how this works, and likely make tweaks going forward. I welcome your thoughts…
Dear St. James’ Parish Family, It is hard to believe it is November! This is a month of turning in the church year. We begin with the great Feast of All Saints and end with the start of the new church year when we enter Advent. Throughout it all, symbols help point us along the way. Beginning on All Saints you will notice a…
This Sunday you are invited to bring your pledge cards to church and to gather with others in making an offering at the altar. Once gathered, our gifts will be blessed. The wonderful thing about St. James’ is that there is already so much here. When I share why I felt called to this community…
Bring your smart phones and your tablets to church this Sunday for Social Media Sunday! Check in to Facebook, update your status & tell everyone you are at church, tweet the sermon, Instagram a selfie or other pic from church! Please hashtag all posts with both #stjamesmtairy and #SMS15. And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to LIKE our Facebook Page…
Dear St. James’ Parish Family, As we turn the page on the calendar to October there is much to be thankful for, and much to look forward to in our community. To begin the month, I am so excited for the Mt. Airy Fall Festival October 3 & 4 and to work our Basket Raffle table. I…
This Sunday I hope you join me in conversation as we pick up where Ask the Rector left off last week as I take a turn asking YOU some questions! And because I know that the formation hour between services doesn’t work for everyone, I want to share a few of my questions here so that if you aren’t able to join…