Dear People of St. James’,
Happy Easter! Yes, it is still that season of new life and resurrection and occasional discovery of Easter eggs too well hidden.
I am so looking forward to the Community History project we are doing together as a congregation this May. This Sunday, May 1, we want you (ALL of you) to come to Founders Hall and to help each other build a big MESSY timeline covering the eight-decades long span of our life together. Whether you have just arrived at St. James’ or whether you have been welcomed to this table in many ways over many years, your story matters. Whether you speak English or Spanish, your story matters. Whether you are 5 and you just got baptized here or you are about to celebrate some number of years as a confirmed member of St. James’ and the Episcopal Church, your story matters.
There are a lot of parts of each other’s St. James’ stories that we don’t know, but being one body, one community, one table fellowship, means being curious and ready to listen and share. When you walk into Founders’ Hall on Sunday, you will find big timeline sheets spread out across the long tables. You will notice some materials that will help you mark your spot on the timeline. When did your family arrive at St. James’ and find welcome? What memorable occasions have we marked with you (weddings, baptisms, confirmation/reception, returning to church after a long time away, losses)? When did your favorite St. James’ tradition start? When was that service or fellowship group when such-and-such unforgettable moment happened? When was it that that big thing happened in East Austin? You don’t have to get the dates perfect. Like I said, this will be MESSY.
If you have photos, or short written recollections that you’d like to share, or you found a bunch of old handwritten Vestry minutes, bring them or send them to office@stjamesaustin.org. We will be ready to make copies of anything you want to keep, but we thank you for all that you are willing to share.
Whether you are new to St. James’ or not, we think you will find the timeline interesting because we will have some of the major events in the life of St. James’ marked for you when you arrive.
This big messy phase will prepare us for further inquiry and story-collecting as we celebrate 80 years as a worshiping community.
See you on Sunday!
Rev. Eileen
