ST. JAMES' CALLS A NEW RECTOR!
St. James’ Thanks the incredible work of the Rector Search Committee (Colleen Gannon and Marcia Watt Co-Chairs, Bill Spalding, Doug Smith, Susanne Rynkiewicz, Nancy Corl, Jeff Davis, and Erik Samhammer! This will be an exciting new phase of the journey of faith. There are many details to tackle over the upcoming weeks. Be watching for more communications on Father Joe’s farewell celebration and Mother Pilar’s welcome. When you get time, do extend a warm thank you to the members of the Search Committee-this process takes an immense amount of time and work. They did a fantastic job!
Mother Pilar is a native of Upstate New York and moved Lancaster County, Virginia upon graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary in May of 2017. In July of 2018, Pilar and The Reverend Scott Parnell married. They welcomed their first daughter, Charlene, into the world in June of 2019 and their son George in October of 2021.
Pilar received her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Fredonia in English, with a minor in religious studies. She received her Master of Divinity upon completing three years of study at Virginia Theological Seminary. Prior to her call to St. James’, Pilar served as the Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Heathsville, VA and as the Associate Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock. Pilar came to her calling through mission work in El Salvador and strong sacramental experiences of the Eucharist.
As she has grown in her call, she has felt a pull towards intergenerational and family ministry, racial reconciliation and healing, as well as pastoral care particularly to the sick and dying. Her ministry has largely focused in these areas since her ordination. In addition, Pilar is a classically trained vocalist. She enjoys all things singing and music. In her times of sabbath, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, and most recently learning how to brew kombucha.
Welcome Reverend Pilar F. Padrón Parnell
Dear St. James,’
It is with deepest gratitude that I accept the call to serve as your next rector. I grew up in the Diocese of Central New York and St. James’ is a community that the Holy Spirit placed on my heart several years ago and I have felt called to serve this beloved community for several years now. Your commitment to Christian formation, particularly with children, outreach, and collaboration with each other and the wider community, all joyously done so in the name of Jesus, has drawn me to you. I am looking forward to all the ways God will call us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world and I pray that this time of transition is one that is filled with wonder and excitement.
I want to extend my deepest thanks to the Search Committee, Vestry, Staff, and clergy of St. James’ that have given of themselves in this interim time and have discerned with me in this process. There is no doubt that this transition required extra hours in your day and time away from your families. We are blessed by your commitment to this beloved community. I also want to thank your families who have noticed your absence as you have helped in this process. They are blessings to all of us.
My ministry with all of you will begin on September 4, 2024 with my first Sunday to be appropriately kick off Sunday September 8. As we get settled, I look forward to meeting all of you and introducing you to my husband, The Rev. Scott Parnell, whose call in the Diocese of Central New York will be announced in the coming days, our children, Charlene (5) and George (2.5), and our loving beagle Belle, who is the princess of the family.
As you close your time with Father Joe and prepare yourselves for this next phase in parish life, please know that you are in my prayers. Please keep me and my family in your prayers as well. May God’s blessings be upon you now and always!
Yours in Christ,
Mother Pilar+
Rector Search Committee Team Members
Colleen Gannon (Co-Chair) – Colleen and her family have been attending St. James’ since 2002. Colleen is a past member of the Vestry from 2014-2020 and served as Warden from 2017-2020. Colleen has experience serving on the search committee that called Becky Coerper as Rector in 2010 and was a member of the Standing Tall for Generations Building Committee and active member of the Construction Committee overseeing the roof replacement and renovations of the Church. She works as a mechanical engineer at Baxter in Skaneateles and typically attends the Sunday contemporary service
Marcia Watt (Co-Chair) – Marcia and her husband John have been attending St. James’ for 15 years. Marcia has previously served as Chair of the Stewardship Committee and the Standing Tall for Generations Building Committee, leading the Master Planning process that preceded renovations to the Church. Marcia enjoys participating in the St. James’ Knitting Ministry and most recently has served on the Give to Grow Campaign Committee. Marcia has a legal background and has been an active community volunteer and member of various not-for-profit Boards. She attends both traditional and contemporary services at St James’.
Susanne Rynkiewicz – Susanne currently serves on Vestry and as Senior Warden. She has been a member of St. James’ for over 12 years. Susanne is a member of the Chancel Choir and has served for many years on the Church Finance Committee. She was also a member of the Standing Tall for Generations Planning Steering Committee. Professionally, Susanne has held many work titles over the last 17 years at the Ivystone Group in Exton PA (Remotely). She currently serves as Manager of Data Content & Systems Integrity. Susanne says that “the many roles held have taught me humility, patience, empathy, honesty, tact, organization, logic, creativity and strength. Combined with an open heart and ears turned towards the Lord, these are the skills and experiences I will continue to draw on as … a member of St. James’ leadership team.”
Bill Spalding – Bill serves on the Vestry and as a Warden. Bill was born and raised in Skaneateles, and after a 10-year sojourn in Cortland where he met his wife, Molly, he moved back home. Bill’s grandparents and parents were St James’ members, and Bill was christened and confirmed here. Bill and Molly have 3 children who were all baptized in the lake here at St. James’. Bill’s business, Upstate Temperature Control, is based in Skaneateles and provides service for HVAC Control systems for larger commercial buildings throughout Upstate NY. Bill is excited to give back to his community and the parish through service on the Vestry and this committee.
Nancy Corl – Nancy has been a member of St. James’ for about 15 years, since her husband, Jim, retired as rector of Christ Church in Manlius. Nancy and Jim first met as students at Syracuse University through the Episcopal Student Fellowship on campus. Nancy graduated from the SU School of Nursing and has worked as a registered nurse and later as a nurse practitioner after getting an MSN from Binghamton University. Before her retirement, she worked largely with the medically underserved. At St. James’, Nancy is on the Vestry and serves as one of our parish nurses. She has also volunteered at the Rescue Mission and St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Auburn. As part of a clergy household, Nancy brings a unique perspective to the search committee, having had experience in various churches, large and small, rural and suburban, throughout the Central NY Diocese. Nancy says “I know about the sense of call that ministers receive on their journeys, and I am excited to take part in this effort, and to remain open to God’s call to us, as we seek our next Rector at St. James’.”
Doug Smith-My name is Doug Smith, and I was born in Syracuse, brought up in Skaneateles, and attended local schools. I graduated from the University of Miami in 1969 That same year, I married my childhood sweetheart, Beverley Fairs, here at St. James’. Shortly after, I joined the US Army Reserves and spent the next 6 months at Fort Polk in Louisiana. Upon my return, we lived in Auburn where Bev was teaching and I commuted to Syracuse daily for various sales jobs for several years until ultimately starting our own business, Hiawatha Kitchens in 1974. We raised two children in Auburn, and finally moved back to Skaneateles in 1995. However we had never left St. James’. My business career additionally included sales jobs in industry, real estate and remodeling. I have served as a member of the Vestry four previous times including twice as warden. I have also taught Sunday School, served as an usher, hosted numerous gatherings, volunteered for capital campaigns and workdays and sing in the choir a the 9:00 AM worship service. I look forward to serving St. James’ again as Warden and as a member of the Rector Search Committee feeling optimistic about the future. I feel my extensive business background will offer a unique perspective to decisions which will have to be made during the next few months as we deal with transition and its impact. My faith in God and his plan for each of us is the foundation of my optimism.
Erik Samhammer – Erik first joined St. James’ as a member of the worship band in 2009. He and his wife Liz were married at St. James’ in 2012, and their two sons (John, age 10 and Nathan, age 8) were both baptized here and participate in children’s ministry programs. Erik says that “it is an honor to be asked to serve in this capacity, and I am looking forward to hearing from the congregation about the things they are most looking for in the next rector of our parish.”
Jeffrey Davis– Jeff is an attorney practicing law at Bousquet Holstein PLLC in Syracuse. Jeff and his wife, Cate, have lived in Skaneateles for over 30 years. All three of their daughters were married at St. James’. Jeff has been worshiping at St. James’ for approximately 12 years. He is a past member of the Vestry and served as a Warden for two years. Jeff also served as a member of the Standing Tall for Generations Campaign Committee and is currently President of the St. James’ Foundation.
St. James' Liturgical Style
St. James’ enjoys 4 intentionally different weekly worship services. Sunday at 7:30 is Rite I Eucharist with a little bit of organ music. This congregation is small but so warm and loving of one another. Sunday at 9:00 is Rite II Eucharist with organ and choir, mostly traditional hymnody but willing to branch out to include gospel and some more contemporary songs. This service has some formal ritual, but is still very down-to-earth in feel. Sunday at 10:45 is Rite II or III Eucharist with a band (guitar, piano, drums, harmonica). This liturgy uses resources from other traditions (Lutheran and Celtic for instance). Four months of the summer, this late morning service moves outdoors beside the lake in a public park. This is the most casual of the services, but all are somewhat informal. Though Wednesday evening at 6 PM is spoken Evening Prayer with a brief homily. All but the Sunday service at 7:30 are regularly live-streamed. The worship staff is committed to creativity and excellence and spends significant time planning for Christmas, Easter, and Holy Week to offer services that are accessible, engaging, and transcendent.
New Leadership Teams
Leadership team for Wednesday Evening Prayer: Sharon Arliss, Nancy Graham, Marie Hughes, Carol Murphy
Leadership team for Centering Prayer: Pam Stewart: point person, Cindy Bright, Dan Fisher, Terry Major, Mary McGrath
Leadership team for Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission: Debra Rose Brillati and Meg Osborne: co-chairs; Corinne Buterbaugh: secretary; Carolyn Legg: office liaison.
Secretary for the Memorials: Judy Bettis
Children’s Ministry
St. James’ is committed to meeting families where they are instead of offering the “traditional” Sunday school programs. In 2023, the Year of the Child was created with the formation of a children’s commission. This commission has been researching and developing more new programming for all ages. Story-time, free play, interactive Sunday School with music & movement, and non-pressure middle & high school youth events such as movie night will begin in the fall. Kid’s communion learning series and a confirmation program will also be offered as there is interest. This ministry is a mix of volunteers and paid staff. All people who work with children must complete the Episcopal Safe Church Online Training modules. Exciting times are ahead and we encourage you to stay tuned by visiting this website. Below is a link to see some of our children’s activities and resources for parents.
Stewardship
St. James’ stewardship is year-round with many opportunities for generosity: annual pledges, online donations, reminders of specific needs communicated online, commitment to stewardship of the environment, and support of other agencies working in the community, particularly through the proceeds of St. James’ Thrift Shop.
Caring for Our Worshipping Community
St. James’ has an active Stephen Ministry, several trained spiritual directors, prayer ministry offered at weekly worship in person and online, parish nurses available for consult, and a prayer chain available for acute needs. Weekly opportunities for spiritual nurture include: 3 Centering Prayer gatherings, and a lectionary study, We also engage in book discussions, classes, lectures, and presentations. Many of these activities are offered in a hybrid format so that those who cannot attend in person can participate virtually.
Preparing for the Future
St. James’ actively looks for ways to bring Jesus to as many people as possible. A unique “gift” of the pandemic is that we have invested heavily in technology and staffing to support online worship, programming, and youth education. St. James’ is committed to offering worship and music in multiple styles to reach the widest array of needs and preferences.
Incorporating Others in Ministry
Our Director of Congregational Life is tasked with communication, cultivating volunteer engagement, and creating an environment that invites, trains and supports lay ministry, and encourages many to exercise and grow in leadership. A form of “show and tell” has been a very effective way of inviting others into ministry in the form of “sermon dialogues” throughout the year. This is an interview style of sermon whereby different ministries are highlighted and people are not only informed but invited and encouraged to get involved. Frequent recognition of the gifts and interests of different individuals brings attention to various ministries. St. James' is blessed to offer a wide variety of serving opportunities. These are available on this website as well as on the Get Involved Ministry Guide.
Wider church Involvement
St. James’ clergy and lay people are involved at the Diocesan level as representatives on the Commission on Ministry, on the Diocesan Foundation Board, as delegates to Convention, and as participants in events and programming offered by the Diocese. St. James’ clergy are active in the Skaneateles Ecumenical Clergy Association, and Regional Clericus. In the wider community St. James’ has volunteers with Merriman Circle (Rescue Mission transitional housing), InterFaith Works, Samaritan Center, Ss.Peter and John Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Laker Limo drivers, and the NAACP, as well as supporting a YASC volunteer in Sri Lanka.
