A Note From Father Bob

I have a fond memory of Bishop Stough, who was the bishop of Alabama who guided me through the ordination process while I was a student at Auburn, and also after Kay and I were married. I went to seminary when I was 25 years old, then Bishop Stough ordained me to both the diaconate and the priesthood when I was 28 years old. I think I was the youngest priest in the diocese and was definitely the youngest rector in the diocese when Bishop Stough assigned me to St. Joseph’s on the Mountain in Mentone, AL…my first parish.

Bishop Stough was full of wisdom and care, and he would share that wisdom with me as a young priest. Some of the things I remember are: “Always shine your shoes!” “I will always support you, in whatever you do, unless I find out you have lied to me.” “Now that you know your congregation, love them.” “Your people will not always remember your sermons, but they will always remember that you visited them when they were sick or in the hospital.”

It is this last one that I’ve been thinking about lately. Especially since the number one concern the Search Committee has heard from their survey and listening sessions is St. James wants a pastor who will call on them. Pastoral Care is the number one need from your new rector. I believe your Search Committee has heard you, and will make that a priority in their search.

Please let me say this about pastoral care at St. James. There is a wonderful system in place at St. James with six care teams, with six care team leaders, as well as a wonderful network of caring friends and parishioners who love and care for one another. The first week I was here, I met with the Care Team leaders, as well as our Lay Eucharistic Ministers. They gave me a list of people who had pastoral care concerns, and I have tried to call, or call on, everyone on that list. The most important part of this system is “communication”. If you know of someone who needs a visit, or a call… please call me, or the Jennifer in the office, or one of the Care Team leaders (see list below). We want and need to know who is sick, or ailing, or hurting. We will check on you, visit you, bring you a meal, or Holy Communion. But we need to know you have a need.

Unfortunately, people sometimes fall through the cracks. We all feel bad when this happens. But we hope to correct the mistake, say we are sorry, and move on to better pastoral care. Please let us know how we can better care for one another.

Bob +

Pastoral Care Teams are divided into neighborhood or areas:

Team One - Kristy Steele and Galina Durden (in town)

Team Two- Kathy Roy and Scotti Bozeman (Coosa side of the lake)

Team Three – Susan Mange (Jackson Gap area)

Team Four – Elaine Clements (Dadeville area)

Team Five – Sarah Neighbors and Martha Tucker (Glynmore area)

Team Six - Cathy Gassenheimer and Jill Hiers (South end of lake, Windemere)The Rev.