May 15, 2020
Dear St. James Community,
I hope everyone is well and enjoying the pleasant weather after this past weekend's brief interruption of Spring.
On Tuesday, Bishops Gates and Harris made the decision that in-person Church services and related activities would be further suspended until July 1st. This is out of an abundance of caution and I share a colleague's feelings that while I really miss in-person services, I am certain that this is a wise decision. I also need to let everyone know that BCH Camp, after much consideration, has decided to cancel all summer camp and all other summer activities.
I will continue to offer Sunday services that will be posted to our Facebook page, website, and Youtube, and we will continue to enjoy virtual Coffee Hours through Zoom at 11am. Online Christian Education continues, and we will keep our website and Facebook page active with information and activities. Your Vestry continues to meet through these times as well. Following the Diocesan guidelines that will most likely be posted next week, we will do everything we can to make sure that when we are able to return to in-person services, our building will be as safe as possible.
This coming Sunday, May 17, I would like to invite everyone to a special Coffee Hour. In March, I sent out a letter about an exciting initiative we were beginning to discern with All Saints' Church in West Newbury that would have me join with their community as their quarter time Vicar-in-Charge while continuing my responsibilities at St. James.
Currently the plan is for me to begin at All Saints' on June 1st. Before the pandemic, we had expected to have a Coffee Hour meeting with our Regional Canon Martha Hubbard to discuss this in more detail with our parish. Since this was not possible, Martha will be joining our Zoom Coffee Hour on Sunday to talk more about this and answer any questions and concerns you may have.
While parishioners from All Saints' have been joining us for past Zoom Coffee Hours, this Coffee Hour will be with St. James parishioners only. I have set-up a new Coffee Hour link for ONLY this Sunday. The old link will not work on this Sunday.
I hope everyone will be able to join us. Zoom is free and easy to download. Information to join is below.
Again I hope everyone is safe and well. You are all in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Yours in Christ,
