Virtual Services 2021

How to Join Sunday Morning Services at 9:00 a.m.

Services from St. James are streamed using Facebook Live. When a Live Event is in progress, you will find it located near the Posts section on the Facebook main page. After clicking the button below, scroll down the Facebook page to find it.

St. James on Facebook

Rector Barbara Miller

Rector’s Annual Report

This year has not been the year that any of us expected. The year of 20-20 vision we hoped for did not prepare the world, the church or us for a pandemic. It has been a time of unforeseen changes which have required flexibility, creativity and hundreds of extra decisions each week. We have survived and survived well through your willingness to quickly try new ways of gathering and worshiping.

Within a week of stay-at-home orders, the Vestry held their March meeting on Zoom. Considering that some of the Vestry members had never experienced Zoom this was extraordinary. The Wednesday Evening Service and Bible Beat quickly followed their example. Sunday morning church also moved with amazing speed and creativity to a virtual service through Facebook Live with the help of Michael Coffin and then others. We have had some glitches, but we continue to learn and improve each week. We have moved from using a cell phone to live stream the services to using two cameras and a wonderful microphone lent to us by Gregg Parras. We also now have recorded hymns and service music, plus postludes and preludes thanks to James Holloway, our singers and Gregg who records for the group.

For about six weeks we were able to hold an outdoor service in addition to our virtual service. Holding worship outside has its own challenges but being surrounded by nature and community added a special joy to our prayers. Plus, this service allowed our members who are not able to join us using technology to come together safely.

Just before the shutdown of life due to the Coronavirus, our friend and Senior Warden, Ed Railsback died suddenly. He is greatly missed by Bonnie, his family and by all of us at St. James. He had great plans for what we would accomplish as a parish is 2020 and I’m sure he is watching over us as we move through the pandemic. We miss you, Ed. Rest in peace.

I am extremely grateful to Dale Breckow, who stepped in so ably to fill Ed’s role as Senior Warden. Despite missing Ed’s guidance and leadership, Dale has led the congregation through this most unusual year with a calm dedication to helping us stay connected to each other when we can’t be in the same space, as well as with determination to ensure that St. James not only survived but flourished. He has been an inspiration and support to me throughout the year.

We have realized that despite many of us learning about Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook Live, and YouTube, technology doesn’t work for all of us. With that in mind Diane Coffin helped me to revitalize the Phone Tree. Our nine callers did a wonderful job of reaching out to the people on their “branches.” Recently some of our callers have retired and others have stepped in to take their place. Thank you to all, especially Lucy who is leading the group. In addition to the phone tree, I know that many folks have found ways to reach out to each other with calls, emails, notes and cards, sharing of puzzles, and dropping off small gifts. These are all great ways to be God’s people in the world.

Despite not being able to gather in our buildings we have continued to take care of them. The Parish Hall was painted, and the church was power washed making both buildings look clean and bright. Inside the church much electrical work was done to make the space safer and brighter. Many thanks to Newlin Hastings for organizing and making sure these improvements happened. Please see his report for more details about these and other projects.

During 2020, our support of the Lunch Bunch has continued with lunch being passed out on our patio each week. For a while the Food Bank volunteers were unable to help with the distribution of food. Now, those who are able and feel safe doing so have returned to the monthly distributions. During the pandemic St. James has continued to provide food once a month to the homeless through Paso Cares. Thank you to everyone who helps in these ministries with donations, prayers and when possible, hands-on participation.

As part of reaching out to the community 2020 began with anticipation for the work of our Deacons Jackie Sebro and Jim Arnold with St. Luke’s and St. James in the North County. We were looking forward to exploring new ways to be the church within our local communities. That work has not been forgotten. It will move forward as we continue to address ways to be God’s presence in the North County.

Once again it is important to me that you know you are always welcome to talk to me. It is in discussing questions, concerns, doubts and disagreements that we get to know and love each other better and that we all grow as followers of Jesus. My favorite part of being your priest is being with you – one on one, in small groups, or all together and I have missed this contact with you since the pandemic began. I am never too busy to talk or pray with you. Please don’t hesitate to call or email me.

We look forward to gathering together again both outside and in. What a joyous day it will be to worship once again in our beautiful building! That will happen, but in the meantime, we have learned that St. James is not a building, but a people. People of God who have found new ways to gather to pray and sing, and new and old ways to reach out to each other.

Thank you all for being a part of this faith community we call St. James. It is wonderful to watch you care for and love each other through this unsettling time. That is what it is to be the church. You do it well.

In God’s love, Barbara +