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 (mboutwell@stjamesbr.org, or 225-421-3543) or Anna Catherine Soule (acbsoule@gmail.com, 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

Febr

uary

201

8Su

nday

Sche

dule

(unle

ss ot

herw

ise no

ted)

8:00

Rit

e I, s

poke

n ser

vice,

in th

e chu

rch 9

:15

Chris

tian E

duca

tion f

or al

l age

s

be

gins S

eptem

ber 1

7 10

:30

Rite I

I , in

the c

hurch

, with

mus

ic* 5

:00

Rite I

I, in C

hape

l of 1

2 Apo

stles

,

sp

oken

serv

ice*N

urse

ry o

pen

205 N

. Fou

rth St

reet

| Bat

on Ro

uge,

LA 70

801

225 3

87 51

41 | F

ax 22

5 387

1443

ww

w.stj

ames

br.o

rg*In

dicat

es ch

ild ca

re pr

ovide

d

su

nd

aY

Mo

nd

aY

tues

daY

W

edn

esd

aY

thu

rsd

aY

frId

aY

satu

rdaY

D

ay

S

cho

ol

Ma

rdi

Gra

s

Ho

lid

ays

6:0

0 Tre

ble Ch

oir Re

hear

sal

10:0

0 Sp

iritu

al Di

recti

on

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

Noo

n AS

H WED

NESD

AY SE

RVICE

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

Noo

n EF

M G

rads

- off

site

5:3

0 Da

y Sch

ool B

oard

5:3

0 Pr

oper

ty Co

mm

ittee

8:0

0 Fo

od Pa

ntry

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

11:0

0 SM

ILE Bi

ble St

udy G

roup

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

8:0

0 Fo

od Pa

ntry

8:1

5 Da

y Sch

ool M

ornin

g Pra

yer

5:3

0 Da

y Sch

ool B

INGO

Nigh

t

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om N

oon

AA -

MC1

Act.

Room

5:3

0 Ve

stry

2:0

0 Kr

ewe o

f Mys

tique

5:3

0 As

socia

te Ve

stry

6:0

0 EY

C @ CC

’s/Je

ff erso

n

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

11:0

0 SM

ILE Bi

ble St

udy G

roup

Noo

n Ho

ly Eu

chari

st & H

ealin

g Svc.

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

Noo

n Ho

ly Eu

chari

st & H

ealin

g Svc.

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

11:0

0 SM

ILE Bi

ble St

udy G

roup

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

5:0

0 EfM

- Ga

rrett/

Wad

e Gro

up

9:3

0 M

edita

tive Y

oga -

CSF

9:3

0 M

edita

tive Y

oga -

CSF

8:1

0 Da

y Sch

ool E

ucha

rist

8:1

0 Da

y Sch

ool E

ucha

rist

8:1

0 Da

y Sch

ool M

ornin

g Pra

yer

7:0

0 Ad

ult Ch

oir Re

hear

sal

5:0

0 EfM

- Ga

rrett/

Wad

e Gro

up

6:0

0 Le

nten

Potlu

ck &

Spea

ker

7:0

0 Ad

ult Ch

oir Re

hear

sal

5:3

0 CS

F Boa

rd

4:00

EYC G

rades

9-12

- EYC

Room

10:0

0 St

s. Ag

nes/E

dith/

Mon

ica

ECW

@ St

. Jam

es Pl

ace

11:0

0 SM

ILE Bi

ble St

udy G

roup

Noo

n Ho

ly Eu

chari

st & H

ealin

g Svc.

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

6:3

0 St

. Mar

y’s -

off si

te

Span

ish To

wn

Para

de

6:0

0 Ba

d Girl

s Boo

k Club

-off s

ite

Noo

n Da

y Sch

ool E

xec./

Finan

ce

Noo

n Jo

an of

Arc -

off si

te

9:1

5 Co

nfi rm

ation

Clas

s

Noo

n Fin

ance

Com

mitt

ee N

oon

AA -

MC1

Act.

Room

5:0

0 EfM

- Ga

rrett/

Wad

e Gro

up N

oon

AA -

MC1

Act.

Room

4:0

0 EY

C Grad

es 6-

8 - EY

C Roo

m

8:1

5 Da

y Sch

ool M

ornin

g Pra

yer

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

7:0

0 Ad

ult Ch

oir Re

hear

sal

9:3

0 M

edita

tive Y

oga -

CSF

6:0

0 Tre

ble Ch

oir Re

hear

sal

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om

5:0

0 EfM

- Ga

rrett/

Wad

e Gro

up

Vest

ry R

etre

at -

Hill

top

Arbo

retu

m

GRA

ND

PARE

NTS

DAY

Day

Sch

ool A

rt S

how

&M

usic

al -

Bish

ops H

all

7:0

0 Kr

ewe o

f Arte

mus

Noo

n AA

- M

C1 Ac

t. Ro

om N

oon

AA -

MC1

Act.

Room

7:3

0 AS

H WED

NESD

AY SE

RVICE

5:3

0 AS

H WED

NESD

AY SE

RVICE

Girl

Scou

t Coo

kies

for s

ale i

n Pa

rish

Hall

6:3

0 Kr

ewe o

f Orio

n

6:00

EYC @

CC’s/

Jeff e

rson

4:0

0 EY

C Grad

es 6-

8 - EY

C Roo

m

epip

hany

las

t

lent

1

ash

Wed

nesd

ay

lent

2

embe

r day

pres

iden

ts’ d

ay

epip

hany

5

Offi

ce C

lose

dM

ardi

Gra

s

the

pres

enta

tion

embe

r day

embe

r day

1

76

54

32 9

8

2120

1918

17

16

2726

25

2423

1413

1211

10

28

2215

LAY

MIN

ISTR

Y AS

SIG

NM

ENTS

- FE

BRU

ARY

201

8 (C

onti

nuou

sly

upda

ted

at: s

tjam

esbr

.org

/ass

ignm

ents

)A

ssig

nmen

tFe

brua

ry 4

, 201

8Fe

brua

ry 1

1, 2

018

Febr

uary

18,

201

8Fe

brua

ry 2

5, 2

018

NO

TES

Alta

r Flo

wer

sPa

rlor A

rran

gem

ents

Joan

ne A

nder

son

Nan

cy B

ogan

Bel

va D

ewey

Tric

ia H

ende

rson

Ash

Wed

nesd

ay E

Ms

8:00

a.m

.

Ush

ers/

Wel

com

eJo

yce

Ruc

ker

Joyc

e R

ucke

rJo

yce

Ruc

ker

Joyc

e R

ucke

r8:

00 H

ays T

own

Bes

sie

& G

lenn

Sto

ckto

nB

essi

e &

Gle

nn S

tock

ton

Bes

sie

& G

lenn

Sto

ckto

nB

essi

e &

Gle

nn S

tock

ton

12:0

0 D

avid

War

ringt

on

EM/In

terc

esso

rM

icke

y C

hris

tens

enH

ays

Tow

nS

umm

er K

eane

Chr

istin

e S

mith

5:30

Jo

hn O

zier

Lect

orS

haro

n H

offe

ldC

athy

McH

ugh

Jane

Chr

iste

nsen

Sha

ron

Hof

feld

Alta

r Gui

ld

Liz

Car

ter

Sha

ron

Hof

feld

Dod

ie E

dmon

dsK

aren

Ken

nedy

Jane

Chr

iste

nsen

Jane

Chr

iste

nsen

Cat

hy M

cHug

hC

athy

McH

ugh

Hea

ther

LeB

leu

Jane

t Row

anR

obin

DiN

apol

i

10:3

0 a.

m.U

sher

s

Rip

Col

lins

Fred

Fre

yB

Phi

llips

D.J

. Ric

hard

Ben

Rei

ser

Cha

rles

Coa

tes

Jr.

Gar

y R

icha

rds

Nor

m M

artin

usen

Mik

e Fo

nten

otC

harli

e Fr

eyFo

rd T

hom

asJo

e O

'Ban

ion

Geo

rge

Cla

rkD

avid

Rol

lins

Chr

is K

iese

lS

teph

en J

ung

Josh

Pes

ses

Ste

ve A

nder

son

Lind

a O

hmst

ede

Ron

Mul

linex

Dav

id G

erar

d

Aco

lyte

s

Mar

tha

Rho

des

Ste

phan

ie K

ayW

arre

n R

oss

Mar

y B

rand

on H

arre

llG

raci

e G

aglia

noA

ndre

a K

ayA

nna

Gra

ce K

urtz

Mar

gare

t Har

rell

Jaco

b Jo

hnso

nR

isle

y E

lliot

tM

ary

Bet

h K

urtz

Ade

lyn

Kah

aoM

ary

Virg

inia

Ric

hard

sM

arsh

all E

lliot

tG

rant

Grif

finH

elen

e Ju

ngM

attie

Ray

Bry

an O

lsso

nB

lake

Grif

finE

liza

Dou

glas

s Th

arp

Nel

son

Hin

esC

lark

Ols

son

Mya

Bro

yles

Elo

ise

Thar

p

Euch

aris

tic M

inis

ters

Bob

Fra

zier

Ron

Mul

leni

xS

teve

And

erso

nJa

ne P

erki

nsD

ebor

ah T

aylo

rM

ary

O'B

rien

Laze

tte P

hilli

psR

ene'

e S

mith

Tad

ie

Lect

ors

Che

t Col

esA

lison

Rod

rigue

Wen

dell

Hol

mes

Bill

Hin

es

John

Nol

and

Rut

h M

artin

usen

Ann

Hol

mes

Man

ette

Sam

mon

sIn

terc

esso

rV

irgin

ia N

olan

dS

teve

Fai

rLo

u E

llis

Eliz

abet

h C

anfie

ld

Alta

r Gui

ld

Nan

cy J

o P

oirr

ier

Lind

a B

owsh

erM

aret

ta C

reve

ling

Em

ily K

ayTh

elm

a H

erth

umM

arga

ret C

ulbe

rtson

Rie

ta R

eise

rS

ue L

aris

eyTr

udy

Ivy

Am

anda

Phi

llips

Sus

an W

hite

5:00

p.m

.Eu

char

istic

Min

iste

rH

ays

Tow

nJo

hn O

zier

Jean

nie

Frey

Rho

des

Hay

s To

wn

Alta

r Gui

ldFr

ance

s G

arla

ndS

heila

Fei

gley

Eliz

abet

h Li

bber

sFr

ance

s G

arla

nd

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