It was very significant to have the Dean as our first guest preacher for St. James' bicentennial. As he preached, I was fascinated to hear about his history with our church and many of our parishioners. He emphasized how important St. James' is not only in our diocese but in the world. He recalled the time when some members of the St. James' vestry flew over to Africa to support Desmond Tutu's role during apartheid. By the way, I am personally looking forward to Archbishop Tutu visiting St. James' next March. He also wrote the foreward in the book being written on the history of St. James.
The Dean's sermon was a reiteration to me of how the parishioners of St. James' act as ambassadors to spread God's message. And how moving forward, especially the state the world is in, we need to do that more than ever. He spoke about why St. James' is a parish that can continue to be a leader in the diocese and the world.
His message made me once again thankful to call St. James' my church. But it also made me determined, as we celebrate St. James' 200th year, to help make sure this continues to be a place of worship, education, mission, and God's love for generations to come.
-Campbell Wharton
October 6, 2009
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Commentary from guest preachers, forum speakers, and others connected with celebrating the 200th anniversary of St. James' Church in Manhattan.
