Dear People of St. James’,
Rejoice with me, and join me in welcoming Amber Sarpy Lora (she/her) to our staff as our new Children’s Minister! Over the last month, we conducted an active search and interviewed a number of candidates with the help of parents and Godly Play teachers from our congregation. It is a delight to announce that Amber will be joining us, beginning with the return of our 4 pm Family Picnic Eucharist this Sunday, October 3.
Amber brings a wealth of experience in ministry within and outside of the church. She has a Masters in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, and that is her primary work currently. Although she has her home in Round Rock, her work in counseling and music therapy has brought her to some of our local elementary schools, like Blackshear and Oak Springs. Amber also comes to us with a breadth of ministry experience in the Episcopal Church that includes community organizing, children’s and youth ministry, and church life in Spanish-speaking and multicultural contexts. She brings an appreciation of Godly Play (our children’s program) and lots of ideas about how to invite children into our sacred stories from scripture and our past through music and arts. Given the recent growth in the number of families with small children in our 1 pm congregation, Amber’s bilingual skills and experience in Spanish-speaking church community at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Austin, is another tremendous asset.
As Children’s Minister, Amber will focus on implementing spiritual formation designed to accompany children, ages 3 – 5th grade, as they grow in faith and to foster a community where families may nurture, befriend, and support one another. This role is part-time, 12 hours/wk, so a big part of her work will be equipping volunteers for ministry in our Godly Play-based program and building relationships with and among parents.
This weekend will be a transitional weekend for Amber and her 8 year-old son Mateo as St. John’s/San Juan Spanish-speaking congregation blesses and sends them to us for this new adventure in ministry. Our first chance to welcome them will be this Sunday, October 3, at the 4 pm outdoor family service. On the Sunday following, October 10, more of the congregation will have an opportunity to meet and greet her. Her email is amber@stjamesaustin.org. Please offer her that warm St. James’ welcome!
Rev. Eileen
