messenger t he - stjamesbr.orgstjamesbr.org/messenger/february2018_themessenger.pdf · 8:00 a.m....
TRANSCRIPT
Service Schedule
InvItes You to explore our lIfe and MInIstrIes at st. JaMes epIscopal church
Volume 102, Number 2 225-387-5141 • Fax 225-387-1443 • www.stjamesbr.org February 2018
MessengerThe
www.stjamesbr.org
Sundays8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I Spoken service in church10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Service in the church with choir(s)
Nursery open 8:45 ‘til noon
5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Chapel of the Twelve Apostles
WeekdaysMondays school is in session8:15 a.m. Day School Morning Prayer
WednesdaysNoon Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Healing Prayers in the Chapel of the Twelve Apostles
Fridays school is in session8:15 a.m. Day School Eucharist
Ash WednesdayWednesday, February 147:30 a.m. Ash Wednesday Liturgy with imposition of ashesNoon Ash Wednesday Liturgy with imposition of ashes5:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Liturgy with music and imposition of ashes Plans for Lenten Potlucks, Meditations
Three Lenten potluck dinners with Lenten talks given by Frs. Reynolds, Howe, and Pitzer will be held on Wednesdays, February 21, March 7, and March 21. Our evenings will begin with dinner at 6:00 p.m., follow with a brief talk, and you’ll be on your way home
by 7:30 p.m. Program details are being finalized as we go to print; look for more information in the Sunday service leaflets, the Friday eMessenger newsletter, and on our web site, soon.
Fr. John Pitzer and The Center for Spiritual Formation will be emailing daily meditations during Lent. All addresses on our
eMessenger subscription list will be included in this special Lenten devotion. If you’d like to be sure you’re on the subscription list (or, regretfully, would prefer to not receive this devotions), please visit our newsletter subscription page: stjamesbr.org//newsletters.
Gumbo 2018 co-chairs Susan Rolfs and John Sykes welcomed a few dozen guests to the 2018 Gumbo preview luncheon in the Parish Hall parlor on January 24. They discussed the success points of Gumbo 2017, and how they plan to improve on those in 2018. Our Friday Lenten Gumbo lunches are wonderful opportunities to serve your parish, your community, make new friends, and catch up with long-time friends. Read more about Gumbo, and sign up to volunteer at stjamesbr.org/Gumbo2018.
Gumbo Welcome Luncheon Held — Countdown Begins
Page 2 The Messenger January 2018
In Our Thoughts and Prayers …
The Diocese of Louisiana is one church, faithful to our Lord Jesus, united in mission,
reaching out through service and proclamation to all for whom Christ died. We live in joyous
expectation of God’s transforming power, compassion, and mercy in our lives.
St. James Staff
St. James Vestry
Floral Dedications and Arrangements
The flowers on the altar on January 28 are given to the glory of God andin loving memory of Cathy Evans by her family.
Arrangements in the Parish Hall parlor are by Joanne Anderson on February 4; Nancy Bogan on February 11; Belva Dewey on February 18;
and, Tricia Henderson on February 25.
The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr. Bishop of LouisianaThe Very Rev. Joe Reynolds Interim RectorThe Rev. Ralph F. Howe, Jr. Sr. Associate Rector and Day School ChaplainThe Rev. John Pitzer Associate Rector and Prior, The St. James Center for Spiritual FormationDeacon Pat Lyle Spiritual Director in ResidenceThe Rt. Rev. Robert C. Witcher Bishop-in-Residence XIX Rector of St. JamesThe Rt. Rev. James M. Coleman Bishop-in-Residence XX Rector of St. James
denise allen ***
claudia Black ***
patrick Broderick ***
charlie frey *
Barbara Irwin Garon**
lee Griffin **
Barbin c. Graham*
catherine s. harrell*
Buzzy heroman*
Bill hines *
Bob Israel ***
Kyle landrem**
sue larisey*
Julie Mccall***
Jay noland**
craig rhodes ***
anna catherine soule**
david Warrington**
Gerry sulzer (ex-officio) .............senior Warden
Josh pesses (ex-officio) .........................treasurer
dan West (ex-officio) ..........................chancellor
Mary Hunt Boutwell Director of Lay MinistriesSara Bray Interim Co-ChoirmasterJo Craddock Director of CommunicationsMary Davis-Palms Parish DieticianEric Johnson Interim Co-ChoirmasterCheryl Speights Olinde BookkeeperJohn Ozier Parish SecretaryJacques Pourciau Business ManagerSylvia Rabalais Administrative SecretaryHannah Rothermel Director of Youth MinistrySusan Rothermel OrganistLauren T. Ray Head of School
Nursery Open Sundays 8:45 until noonInfants and toddlers are welcome at all services, but, as parents desire, may also be lovingly cared for by trained staff in our nursery/wiggle room on the first floor of the Parish Hall between 8:45 a.m. and noon on Sunday mornings, and for other events as announced.
You may prefer to keep your young child with you during the service, and children are welcome at all our services. Some hints that may help you and your young child be more comfortable while we worship together are available on our website, or by clicking here.
For the departed: John Wesley Ray Jr. father of Pamela Gladney; Jeffrey Jackson Bell, father of Ashley Bell Frey; Helen Meador Collet, mother of Rodney Collet; the Hon. Lewis S. Doherty, cousin of Betsy Harper; Billie Loit Fenton; Mary Hill Jarnagin; Jack NelsonFor recent concerns of: Elizabeth Poole, Joyce Rucker, Theresa Boba, Susan Bueche, Jennifer Saurage Moreland, Ginger Duncan, Susie, Charlotte Murrell, J.H. Martin, Anne Wilson, Jeannette Barras, David Walker, Phillip Wright, Jeff Mills, Douglass, Judi George, Sue Miller, Kathryn, Ann RowIn our continuing prayers: Kevin Stockton, Glenn Stockton, Jim Coleman, Richard Garber, Barbara Shilg, Judy Calhoun, Janet Arst, Peyton Feigley, Mary Jarnagin, Bessie Stockton, Jeff Cobb, Billy Heroman, Bobby McCall, Janie LeBlanc, Charlie Matherne, Joanne Anderson, Thomas, George Helland, Antonia Day, Bobby Hines, Mary C. Elliott, Catherine Strauss, Sam, Glen Ezell, Alan Farries, Jay, Faye,
Erin Collins, Peg Austin, Robert, Tanne, Kitty Claus, Richard Tannehill, Rieta Reiser, Karen Garcia, Tony Sonnier, John Lejeune, Louella, Jeff, Wesley, Shayne, Tim Foss, Tal Broyles, Cathy Liles, Sissy Jaroz, Bill RosenbaumFor those in the armed forces: Major John Lyford V, Staff Sgt William Martin USMC, PFC Don Ellen, Lt Jon Bethel, Trey Wolf ABFAN, Lt Jordan Morris, Sgt James Chambers, Major Andrew “Andy” Stone USAF, Capt Michael Oliver, Specialist Daniel Anderson, Sgt Ethan Wade, Major Charlie Hines, Capt Mathis Guy Hall USMC, Airman Avery Frink, Pvt Mike Lee, Philip S. Mullenix MD US Army, KC - USMCFor those in law enforcement: Sgt. Carol Landry, Deputy Chad Tate, Chief Detective John East, Officer Eddie Kay, Louise Myers, Sgt. Jeremy Hummert, Detective Brock Bunch, Taylor McDonald, Detective Adam Lea, Trooper Paul L. Toups Jr., Officer Nick Tullier, Walter, Richard, Craig Russell, Joe Rawls
January 2018 The Messenger Page 3
Our new Business ManagerJacques Pourciau is very excited to be joining the staff at St. James as Business Manager. Jacques grew up in Baton Rouge, where he graduated from Catholic High School in 1990. He is a very active member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where he serves as cantor. He served as president of the STM Men’s Club and scoutmaster of the parish’s Boy Scout troop.
Jacques is married to Anne Scott Bahlinger Pourciau and they have two children, Jacob, 21, who attends LSU, and Mary Scott, 18, a senior at St. Joseph’s Academy. Both he and his son are Eagle Scouts.
Jacques most recently served as Director of Liturgy at St. Thomas More since 2008, and was previously in management at Kornmeyer Furniture Store in Baton Rouge. He keeps very busy as a Financial and Insurance Broker with MassMutual Louisiana, a public-address announcer for LSU Soccer and Swimming and Diving, visitor locker room security with LSU sports, and with his own voiceover business, Voicesbyjacques.
Jacques studied Business Management at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he graduated in 1994. He was very active in music there and studied voice. He enjoys going to Manresa Retreat House in Convent, Louisiana, music of almost all types, cooking, and sports. If you are a fan of any of his favorite teams — Astros, Tigers, Cajuns, and Saints — you are already his friend.
Page 4 The Messenger January 2018
Parish Family NewsBirthsEleanor Marie Perry, daughter of Lacee Lissard Perry and Hunter
Perry, was baptized on January 7, 2018.
Elizabeth Morgia Dampf, daughter of Katherine Hand Dampf and Benjamin Howard Dampf, was baptized on January 7, 2018.
Harper Christine Richard, daughter of Cooper Watkins Richard and Ted Baxter Richard, and grandchild of Trez Owen, was baptized on January 7, 2018.
John Jackson Ainsworth, son of Richard Carneal Ainsworth and Mauriel Brien Ainsworth, was baptized on January 7, 2018. His St. James grandparents are Rickey and D’Anne Ainsworth.
Marriages
Elizabeth Hamilton Feigley and Joseph Burchman Rochelle were
married at St. James Episcopal Church on December 30, 2017.
Burials
Mary Hill Jarnagin died on January 6, 2018; her burial office will be
held at St. James at a later date.
Jack Nelson died on January 12. His burial office was held on January
17, 2018 at St. James
joan of arc
All women of the church are invited
to the Joan of Arc Study Group, held
at noon on the first Wednesday of the
month, during the academic year,
hosted by various members of the
group.
The Joan of Arc Study Group is studying The Apostles of
Jesus Christ, this year. Judy Foil will present the lesson on
Matthew at the next first-Wednesday meeting on Wednesday,
February 7 at noon, hosted by Weezie Mullenix. Susan Rolfs
and Frances Garland provide sandwiches, with Joan Moore
and Jennie Price preparing desserts. Please contact Nina
Broyles for more information on the Joan of Arc Study Group.
St. Mary’s Bible Study
St. Mary’s Bible Study group is for women who are in their late-20s to 50-ish. The group meets on the third Thursday in February (and each month, through April), at 6:30 p.m. in a member’s home, with volunteer lists for snacks. We’re meeting at 6:30 p.m., hoping it’s convenient for both those who work outside the home or inside the home. Our study theme this year is “Women in the Bible,” but there are no reading assignments or homework. All you need to do is show up! If - and only if - you would like to lead a lesson, you
may volunteer to lead one of the six lessons for the year. Please contact Mary Boutwell ([email protected], or 225-421-3543) or Anna Catherine Soule ([email protected], or 205-242-1290) if you are interested in this group.
By Helen Campbell and Trey Roberts
The Search Committee began its work with the parish-wide survey in September. Over 300 parishioners responded. Listening forums followed, to receive more personal feedback from the congregation. Personal interviews with clergy and staff completed the initial work to prepare a parish profile and questionnaire for the national church’s website. Canon Shannon Manning presented the results of our parish-wide survey in a town hall meeting and we are very grateful for the work the diocesan office is doing to help us in our search process.
The parish profile and questionnaire are now complete and the profile is available on the diocesan website.
The parish has been very helpful with nominations of potential candidates for rector. All of the nominations must go to the diocesan office for screening. Once the committee has received names of vetted candidates from the diocesan office, a letter and profile will be sent asking about their interest in being a candidate
for rector at St. James. As we receive acceptances from potential candidates, the committee will be charged with the responsibility of learning as much as possible about the candidates. Skype interviews will follow before the selection of final candidates. All information about potential candidates is confidential. There is no timeline for completion of this process, but we are optimistic that a new rector can be selected by late spring.
The Search Committee continues to ask for your prayers as we proceed with the search for our new rector for St. James Church.
Committee members: Helen Campbell and Trey Roberts, co-chairs; John Sykes, Charlie Frey, Jay Noland, Andy McCall, Bob Israel, Catherine Harrell, Martha Vasquez, Susan Rolfs, Bahin Leonard, Julia Spaht.
(Editors Note: The EDOLA clergy deployment page with profile and OTM report is here. The St. James search process page also links to the profile, and you can also submit a nomination for consideration, here.)
Search Committee January Report
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January 2018 The Messenger Page 7
The State of the ParishBy the Very Rev. Joe D. Reynolds
Interim Rector’s Report given at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 21, 2018I begin by adding my words to those of Gerry Sulzer to say that from my perspective St. James Church is alive and
well and enthusiastically engaging the worship of God and the ministry of the Christian gospel, a ministry of acceptance, forgiveness and love.
We finished 2017 with strong support. For the first time in a number of years, total contributions exceeded those for the preceding year. At the same time, expenses were lower. Total contributions were up by 4.8%, and expenses were down 4.6%. Those are signs of a healthy parish with engaged and active people, as well as good stewardship in the management of resources. I commend you for your support of the ministry of St. James.
On the other hand, the stewardship report offers some challenges. In 2017 there were 334 pledges of financial support received. As of the latest report, we have received 275 pledges for 2018. Of those pledges, 92 represent increased support for St. James, and 18 are new pledges. That is good news for which I am grateful. At the same time, it means that 77 pledges in 2017 have not yet been renewed for 2018.
Some of those are people who have just not remembered or haven’t gotten around to it. Some may think they have pledged, and it just isn’t in our records. It may be our fault. We make mistakes and are eager to correct them. In any event, those pledges are the difference between a strong financial beginning in 2018 and a struggle to balance a tight budget. We have trimmed about all the fat that we can.
The good news is there is still time. If you are one of those who has not yet pledged – and I am not pointing fingers, my name is on the list – please help. St. James needs the support – the financial support, the volunteer support, and the prayers – of every member.
We need to continue to communicate more clearly, more fully, and more often about finances. There seems to be a long and deep tradition of believing there are secrets about church finances and how decisions get made.
St. James has invested funds – what we generally refer to as “the endowment,” though there is not a single fund, and there are many designated and restricted funds combined for investment. I thank God for the generosity of those who came before us. Those legacy gifts have provided financial stability over the years, and they have enabled St. James to be a stronger voice and stronger presence in Baton Rouge. Good stewardship, gratitude to donors, and responsible financial management require the care and preservation of those resources.
There is no secret about the endowment, but it is complicated and can be confusing. It is an oversimplification, but the short story is that $90K is drawn from the income of the endowment for the annual operating budget of St. James. An additional $60K has traditionally been drawn for outreach and distributed by a grants committee. That is not a full accounting of everything spent from the income of the invested fund. The restricted and designated uses of the funds are reviewed monthly by the Finance Committee and approved by the Vestry. The point I want to emphasize here is that the $90K support of the operating budget, while critical, represents far less than 10% of what it takes to do the ministry of St. James. That means that more than 90% comes from other sources, primarily the commitment and generosity of you and me.
We have experienced a number of staff changes in the last 12 or so months. We were overstaffed, and the financial burden of that was not sustainable. We have redefined how we organize the staff to best do the work that is our to do. That has not always been easy. It is always painful when change adversely affects the lives of people
we know and love. I understand that, and I believe we are better positioned to do the work that God sets before us. I believe that you are in a better position to welcome a new rector.
I have been here now for almost 19 months. In many ways is seems like a blink of an eye. I still feel “new,” and I am still embarrassed by all that I don’t know about St. James and so many of the people who make it what it is. In the terms of rectors, I am just at the beginning.
But I am growing a bit long in the tooth for an interim. We are entering a time when the focus must shift more and more toward the future and the excitement of a new beginning and a permanent rector – at least as much as anything is permanent.
The Episcopal Church, along with most all churches, has been through a period of decline for the past 30 years, maybe a bit longer than that. There are many factors that have contributed to that. It really isn’t the result of any particular issue. The most powerful forces are probably social currents of change in how people relate to all institutions and how social needs are being met.
St. James has not been exempt from those forces. We don’t have the same numbers we did when most of us were teenagers and young adults. We don’t have the ability to do things now the way they were done then. The hard truth is that what worked then doesn’t work now.
But strangely enough I find myself with more optimism about the Episcopal Church and particularly St. James than I have felt in many years. There are encouraging signs of life. There is a spirit of faith here and an excitement about the challenges of ministry. We are not going to be able to turn the clock back. Things are not going to be the way they were.
But things are going to be new. There is somewhere in the Bible where God says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.” I don’t know what that new thing is, but the
Continued on back cover
InvItes You to explore our lIfe and MInIstrIes Messenger
The
We proclaim Christ crucified and risen, and invite all to join with us in ministry together in his name.
The MESSENGER is the monthly magazine of St. James Episcopal Church, containing extended news of parish programs and events.
Readers are encouraged to use the online version to enjoy color photographs and graphics, easy links to contact information, maps, reference materials, and more at www.stjamesbr.org.
If you know of someone who cannot receive the electronic version, nor is able to pick up a paper copy available in the narthex, foyers and vestibules, please share their name with us so other arrangements can be made — or better yet: pick up a paper copy at church and bring it to them on a visit, yourself!
possibility is exciting. The Church of Jesus Christ is not going out of business. You don’t know who the new rector will be. You don’t know what he or she will be like. It is all a new chapter. One thing is certain, and that is it will be different.
But you have a lot going for you. You have a remarkable parish. You have many gifts. In the course of interviewing with the Interim Search Committee I was asked the questions: What would I consider to be a success should I be the Interim Rector of St. James? I said that success would be that when I left the people of St. James were excited about the future and eager to greet a new rector and get to work. I feel the same way today, perhaps even more so.
But Elizabeth and I will carry this place in our hearts long after that day comes. You have offered us your support, your prayers and your friendship. That is a gift to be treasured.
There are many, many people who deserve to be named and recognized for all they do to make St. James the special place that
it is. The list is far too long, and I would inevitably leave many people out. But I must say that the staff here is among the best I have ever known. Fr. Ralph and Fr. John have been the glue that holds the place together. Mary Boutwell it’s the centerpiece that makes the lay ministry work. Sylvia is the fountain of knowledge and wisdom that makes us all look better and wiser than we really are. Cheryl Olinde has stepped up to the plate and made it happen. Jo Craddock keeps the lines of information open even when we are slow to meet deadlines. John Ozier, Hannah Rothermel, Dwight and Ben are all gems in the jewel of St. James.
I cannot conclude without a word about Gerry Sulzer. Gerry has been a rock of support for St. James. He has given far beyond what is required by the normal duties of a Senior Warden. He has supported me, nudged me, encouraged me, and, on occasion, challenged me. Most of all he has given me his friendship. I am grateful.
Thank you all.
The State of the Parish, continued from page 7
Easter Day Service Schedule - Sunday, April 1, 20188:00 a.m. - holy eucharist, rite I, in the church
9:15 a.m. - flowering of the cross and holy eucharist, rite II, in the church
11:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the church • 5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II, in the chapel