With generous hearts we give thanks for the ministry of Barbara Blakemore among us these last months. At my request and with approval of our vestry, Barbara agreed to fill in 10 hours a week at SJTL as a paid staff person for a limited amount of time out of her retirement. As many of you know, her main task has been working with the ministry of the Sunday school teachers and programs. You have also seen her regularly serving with me at the altar each Sunday at the 10:00 service.

Now the time has come for Barbara to step back into her retirement life to be once again more fully with Bill and her family and grandchildren. It has been nothing but a joy and a delight for me, and I know you too, to work with Barbara during this time. I am so grateful to her for sharing the gift of her time, talent and many years of experience with our parish family.

Even though we will not see Barbara at the altar each Sunday, that does not mean she is leaving. Barbara is not leaving SJTL. She and Bill will remain, as they have been the past couple of years, members of SJTL. Actually Barbara will in some ways be even closer, for you will see her sitting next to Bill and perhaps you too, in the pew on Sunday. She has also graciously offered to continue to cover services or pastoral emergencies when I am away or on vacation. I am most grateful for her offer to do so.

On June 1, at our Annual Parish Picnic, we will give thanks and recognition to Barbara for all she has done for us and continues to do in her ministry at SJTL.

The last few months at my request, Barbara has headed up a small group to reflect and help prepare to begin a search for a Director of Children’s Ministry to work about 10 hours a week. In that group we discussed the current curriculum as well as some possible future curriculums. Other churches were visited to see their experience with different programs. We also discussed the time we hold Sunday school and Adult Education and the challenges that present to many of our younger children and their families. After exploring this and other visions for the ministry of all God’s children at SJTL, we had a much clearer idea of the direction we needed to go. 

The committee, composed of Barbara and myself, along with Susan Hubbard, Dani Petitt, Kendra Shifflett, Laura Baker and Melissa Roberts, has now completed its work. I am excited to say that we have started our search process for a part time Children’s Ministry Director at SJTL! We have advertised for the part time position through the diocese and other religious educator venues and have already had a few inquiries. Our hopeful prayer is to have someone on board before the fall. I want to thank all those who helped on the committee as well as others who have offered their input about our Sunday school program.

With Barbara stepping down from staff, the next step is to begin looking for a part time priest to assist me in ministry with our parish family. The vestry finance committee is crunching numbers to see what kind of part time package we can offer. That will determine how many hours we might be able to provide. I have already made our diocesan office aware of where we are in the process and that we will be looking for a part time ordained person to join our staff.

Finding a good part time clergy person can be challenging, as there are not many available. Our vestry’s longer-range goal is to be able to hire a full time clergy person. That would open up a much wider window of candidates of all ages.

I believe very strongly that God is calling all of us at SJTL toward new and exciting directions. A direction toward growth, exciting and new programs for all ages as well as leading us in continuing to carry out the gospel of Jesus Christ into our community and beyond. Along with your generous hearts I have no doubt God will surprise, delight and bless us richly with his Holy Spirit in the days ahead!

Ed