Letter from Rev. Clarence, 5/8/22

Dear Members and Friends of St. James,

After a two-week respite from email and non-essential Zoom meetings, I “take up the pen” again, in order to communicate information regarding our parish. As many of you admonished me towards self-preservation, I report that those hours were spent with members of my family, as we reconnected with my older daughter and granddaughter from Hong Kong, whom, due to travel restriction caused by the pandemic, we for 2.5 years had not been able to embrace. They were pleased as well to meet my St. James family in our weekly Eucharist.

As daylight hours continue to lengthen and foliage shows sign of spring, our spirits are lifted. Following my belief in transparency, I report that at worship we continue to follow all cautionary guidelines of our bishop. We have not been forced to restrict our in-person liturgies, and both old, familiar faces have continued to return and are joined by the occasional new ones. Nevertheless, I must report that the last scheduled vestry meeting had to be postponed due to lack of a quorum. Non-Covid-19 illnesses assaulted several of our vestry members. We pray for all who are ill in our parish.

I assure you, however, that the work of restoring our parish to fuller strength has not been neglected. Indeed, I am pleased to announce that I, along with a member of the vestry, shall meet soon with a representative from Diocesan Headquarters, in order to evaluate how best to accelerate our recovery from the deficits of Covid-19. I continue to give you thanks for your dedication and strong financial support to our mission during these unsettling years.

Of your charity, I bid you pray for peace, and especially as one of our young attendees at Eucharist departs for Poland, in order to assist there in the challenging demands caused by war in Ukraine.

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you, and those whom you love, for ever. Amen.

Your fellow traveler on the Way,
CEB+