On Sunday, July 7, we will celebrate our last worship service as pastor and congregation.  The appointed reading in the lectionary cycle for that Sunday comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10.  It is a fitting message for this moment.  Jesus commissions seventy-two disciples and sends them out to share the Gospel in new places.  He warns them that it will be challenging, and he also reassures them: “the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.”  After their journeys, the seventy-two return joyously, filled with hope at their success in sharing the Good News.

Entering into a time without a leader can be daunting, whether it is because the leader leaves (as in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1) or because the people are sent.  I am certainly not claiming to be Jesus as I leave you!  But it is helpful to remember that, as long as we remain dependent on any particular leader or teacher, we too easily become comfortable in our supporting roles.  Times of transition shake us up, and challenge us to reconsider the ministry to which every one of us is called through our baptisms into discipleship.  Jesus promised a harvest beyond our wildest dreams.

Do we still have faith in that promise?  We can see churches across the country declining and even closing, as if the harvest were dried up.  But I believe the key is in the second part of what Jesus said: there are few workers.  We’ve settled into expectations that the pastor and a small number of leaders will do the harvesting, while everyone else reaps the benefits.  But this isn’t what Jesus imagined.  If we want to see our churches full of life again, it doesn’t all depend on a pastor.  Hear this time of transition as a call to you: the harvest is plentiful!  Now is the time for the workers to answer the call.

May the Peace of Christ be with you always,

Pastor Rachael

Dear Good People of St. James,

Holy Week and Easter Sunday are behind us, Pastor Rachael has a beautiful baby girl, and Confirmation will be here on May 19th! By the time you read this there will be only two more Sundays in Eastertide. On May 5th the sermon will be “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors….” and on Mother’s Day, May 12th, we will ponder the opening line of the “Abba prayer”…….”Our Father, who art in heaven…..” These two months have flown by and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting you all. It was a blessing to be part of your community of faith and to be “back home” for this brief time of supply. May God continue to bless your individual lives and your life together as a church.

With faith, hope, and love, “Pastor” Sara Jane