New Membership Ministry Team

The Saint James’ New Membership Ministry team is called by God to

1. invite people to worship with us,
2. welcome all who visit us,
3. befriend newcomers considering membership,
4. connect new members to the people, ministries, and mission of Saint James’.

Created in Fr. Randolph Charles’ last year of service as our Associate Priest, the Team had nine members trained and eager to go, ready to fulfill our mission of welcoming and connecting newcomers to our church.  Then the coronavirus pandemic struck, and like many ministries during the shutdown, we became dormant.

Now the good news:  since we’ve returned to regular services last year attendance has improved significantly, and we are receiving many inquiries from newcomers.  Many have joined our church and are already contributing to the life of our parish.  Others are still in the discernment process which is a hopeful sign.  But we have a challenge.  Our ministry team participants have dropped in the last two years from the original nine to four.  The reasons for our attrition have been from understandable circumstances such as moving out of the area, concern about covid transmission, or taking on new responsibilities in other ministries.

These circumstances have placed our depleted ministry team in jeopardy of fulfilling its mission.  Our ability to adequately respond to the growing interest in membership has diminished at a time when so many people are looking for a place to renew and practice their faith.  So this is an invitation to join our ministry team when the possibilities for Saint James’ are so great.  Please consider this calling as one that can be purposeful in fulfilling your faith in a practice that is engaging and welcoming.  Long term membership in Saint James’ is not a prerequisite for participation.

If you feel called to serve, please contact one of our two Co-Leaders:  George Burgwyn at theburgwyns@comcast.net

or Samantha Spangler at s.spangler05@gmail.com

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