An Important Message from the Rector

​Dear People of St. James:
 
In July of 2013, I accepted the call to become the Rector of St. James. Over the past eight years, we have worked together to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, welcome the stranger, and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. We have navigated Covid together. We have raised up new clergy for service in the Church.  And through careful financial management we have retired all our debt, made substantial property improvements, are once again paying one hundred percent of the diocesan pledge, and have grown our cash reserves from $77.00 to $250,000.00, securing St. James’ financial future. In the past eight years I have baptized 70 children and youth, laid 67 members of our St. James family to rest, and welcomed new members on your behalf. You have done me the great honor of inviting me into your lives, and we have walked together in faith as fellow servants.
 
On Wednesday, February 23, four days before his consecration, Bishop Daniel Richards asked me an unexpected question. He asked me if I would be willing to consider leaving St. James to serve him and the Diocese as Canon to the Ordinary. This request came as a complete surprise to me. I was in no way looking to leave St. James after repeatedly assuring you that I had no plans to leave a job and a parish I love. However, Bishop Richards asked me to pray and think about it carefully, so Anna and I entered a period of discernment at his request. For three weeks we thought, prayed, discussed, and tried to listen to where God was calling us. At dinner on Friday, March 18, Anna and I reached a consensus, and on Tuesday, March 22, I telephoned Bishop Richards to accept his call to serve as Canon to the Ordinary. I informed the Wardens of my decision yesterday, Monday, April 25, and met with my staff earlier today. This evening I submitted my letter of resignation to the Vestry of St. James. Both Bishop Richards and The Venerable d’Rue Hazel, Archdeacon and Diocesan transition officer, were in attendance. My last Sunday at St. James will be May 15.
 
Please know that this was not an easy decision to make. I struggled greatly with what this change would mean for me, for my family, and for St. James. However, I am at peace with this decision. This new call will present me with fresh opportunities for new areas of ministry and will present St. James with new opportunities for growth. 
 
While my departure will result in some changes at St. James, there are some things that will not change. I have always said that Rectors come and go, but the St. James family remains constant. Your faith and love for each other is strong, and St. James is not only a good place, but St. James is in a good place. St. James will go through an interim period before beginning a search process for a new Rector. I know that you will welcome an Interim Rector and, eventually, a new Rector with the same warmth and kindness with which you welcomed me and my family. St. James’ staff will remain the same, and it is Bishop Richards’ intention that Mother Lathrop continue to serve as Curate after my departure.
 
After Sunday May 15, I will no longer be able to serve as your priest or pastor. While this change is often eased by distance when a priest accepts a call to a new parish, my family and I will remain in Greenville, which makes this especially awkward. After inviting me into your lives for the past eight years, for the good of all, I have to step back pastorally and socially to make room for someone new, while still remaining in close proximity. This is necessary, and although it will be difficult, it will allow you to form a new pastoral relationship with the clergy that will serve St. James going forward, while freeing me to do the work to which I have now been called.
 
Please pray for me as I begin a new journey as I will pray for you as you begin yours. Whether nearby or far away, I will miss you, the people of St. James, the most. You trusted me to lead you and labor with you in this small corner of God’s kingdom. It has been a high honor to serve such a wonderful parish family as Rector for the past eight years. You are a kind, generous, faithful, and loving congregation, and you are truly a gift to each clergy person called to serve in this place.
 
You have been a great blessing to me. May God bless us all on our journey ahead.