PARISH PROFILE

- strengths & challenges -

TO GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE & LOVE OF GOD AS REVEALED IN JESUS CHRIST

Parish Strengths

The people of St. James’ see our church as welcoming, open and diverse, and describe our big tent as both a strength and a challenge. Parishioners love our Catechesis program for young children, opportunities for fellowship, the music, the liturgy of Sunday morning worship. 

The active lay ministries are a strength, especially the many acolytes, giving people the opportunity to be involved in church life. Parishioners appreciate the ministry they get from one another, as well as from the clergy.

The people of St. James’ love a party with opportunity for fun and fellowship; we often use those occasions to raise money for outreach. People are proud of the church’s support to community agencies serving those in need, and many members are active volunteers in those same agencies.

While increasing membership, especially among young families, is identified consistently as a goal, the responses show that people are aware of this need and are willing partners in the work of attracting new members.

Parish Challenges

The biggest challenges survey respondents noted were around how to keep St. James’ vital and actively engaged in growing the faith. While celebrating our life together and looking for examples and lessons of God’s all-encompassing love in and from our rector and priests, respondents also see the rector as an essential peacemaker who can build bridges between people of varied backgrounds, experience and diverse opinions.

Survey respondents want to keep what we have that we love. They also want change when we need to change to attract new members and respond to the world around us. Parishioners want a priest who can engage them on a deep and personal level-someone who can be a counselor, confidante, minister, and friend.

Parishioners know that stewardship is always a big challenge. Survey respondents want a rector who appreciates that challenge and is willing to join with them in that essential work.

An ever-present challenge for clergy and lay leadership is ensuring that everyone is on the same page in the direction and management of the church. A rector must be receptive to constructive input. At the same time, the lay leadership must allow the rector to be the leader, and he/she must have the freedom to make decisions. That type of cooperation requires communication and flexibility among all parties.

St. James’ previous rector resigned in January 2019, after five years of leading the church. This was a mutual decision between the rector and the church and was best for all. St. James’ provided a purse and benefits until the rector received a new call.

Over the years, we have had our share of difficult challenges and disappointments. The challenges have demanded our best efforts as we sought a way forward. With the help of our bishops and our steadfast faith we have faced those challenges and labored through them. Going forward, we have faith that with our new rector we can meet the challenge of this pandemic and the challenges of the future.