Vestry Corner ~ June 2023

“If there’s something I have learned through growing up in the love of Christ, it’s that you never know the impact you may have on other people.” -Web (Youth Sunday)

“Jesus loved others so well, which shows us how important it is to love in our day-to-day lives too. Jesus loved the sinners, the unclean and everyone in between, setting the example for us to follow his lead.” -Peyton (Youth Sunday)

“As I look out in this congregation, I see so many people who have impacted my life in a way they may never know. And some people who I exchange kind glances with on Sundays. One thing St. James has always done is make me feel at home.” -Will (Youth Sunday)

What a gift our Youth gave us this past Mother’s Day for Youth Sunday. This extra special service was filled with youth leading worship, sharing reflections during the sermon, leading prayers, reading, and participating in special musical offerings. We celebrated the graduating Seniors and are so grateful for the impact they have had during their time as youth at St. James. Please join us in praying for these upcoming graduates as they head to college, careers and more.

Just as our youth reminded us of our mission statement, “To welcome all to grow in love of God and neighbor”, we heard about the great work of the Evangelism Commission in furthering this mission during Randy Inge’s visit to our May Vestry meeting. At the end of April, they held a highly successful Newcomer meal and tour which included sharing our campus with over 20 newcomers. Some highlights of the afternoon included placemats colored by the children of St. James, a delicious meal surrounded by lovely table arrangements and the opportunity for connection and conversation. A huge thanks to the Evangelism Commission and all Parishioners for helping visitors feel welcomed and get connected. This gift of welcome is especially important as we joyfully enter our summer season with services both downtown and at Mt. Lebanon Chapel!

A couple important campus updates, the Buildings and Grounds committee and Wes are actively working on moving forward with building repairs involving the Great Hall Kitchen. This work includes repairing the interior walls and ceilings, exterior walls and windows. This is scheduled to be completed over the summer. Additionally, the steps that enter the side of the Parish House off Market Street are closed. For safety reasons, these steps may ONLY be used to exit the building in the event of an emergency. The repair for the steps is a large undertaking, including consulting with Engineers and Architects to determine the next ‘BEST STEPS’. ☺

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Parish wide picnic at Mt. Lebanon Chapel on June 4th from 4-6pm! If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

-Leslie Jarrett (Senior Warden) & Alex Murchison (Junior Warden)