'Tis the Season for Discernment

THE REV. BETH FRANKLIN
We are in a season of discernment. Our Sunday morning adult forums will be grounded in the Biblical and theological foundation of discernment, along with opportunities to practice what this looks like in community. This work of holy listening nurtures curiosity and astute practical analysis, all the while being grounded in a prayerful approach, and will permeate all we do in this season of life together.

This discernment includes but is not limited to Music leadership, Outreach commitments, and our physical campus. A search committee has been formed to shepherd the process for calling a new Director of Music—further details are provided below. We are in a season of wondering together what our next iteration of Being Doers of the Word looks like for this community. As we begin to Protect and Repair our physical campus, we are actively discerning how we hope the spaces on our campus will be used moving into the future.

It’s not intentional that each of these discernment processes have collided. And it is an opportunity for us to be incredibly thoughtful about each of these transitions. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in our midst!

The most important thing we can each do is show up—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—so that we might give these respective processes the time and respect they deserve.

MUSIC SEARCH COMMITTEE
As you likely recall, this is the Whitmires’ last season with us, after 32 faithful years at St. James’s. We are incredibly fortunate that Mr. Charles Lindsey, who has served as our Assistant Organist, will be our Interim Director of Music. Ms. Kelsey Snider, who is a staff singer in the West Gallery and Parish Choirs, will serve as the Interim Director for the Children and Youth Choirs. Our musical program will be in familiar and capable hands during the transition.

Additionally, I have appointed The Rev. Dr. Kyle Babin to serve as Chaplain to the Music Department throughout these transitions. To state the obvious, this will be a significant transition for our congregation, and especially our singers and musicians. In all that we do, my highest priority will be supporting parishioners who faithfully lead our music program from the choir loft on a weekly basis. Kyle will be present and available for prayer and conversation with all who participate in our music programs throughout this season of transition. Our commitment to holy and excellent music that enhances worship for the whole congregation will remain a priority.

I am thrilled to share that we have assembled a Search Committee that will work with me in administering a full search process. We will take time throughout October and November to solicit feedback from the parish. Hearing from the congregation will be essential as we work to develop a job description for our next Director of Music. Our intention is to post the position at the beginning of 2027, in hopes that our new Director of Music will be with us in time for the start of the new program year in the Fall of 2027.

I will not provide a full bio for each member of the committee, as they are all exceptionally qualified. What I will encourage you to do is to introduce yourself to committee members and commit to holding them in prayer, that we might be faithful stewards of what and who God is calling to us next.

The Search Committee is comprised of individuals who represent various ensembles and lengths of involvement with our music department. Meredith Harbach will serve as the Chair of the Search Committee. Scott Corwin and Lisa Edwards Burrs are serving as members of the Parish Choir. Meredith Harbach is serving as a member of the West Gallery Choir. Knox Hubard is serving as a member of the Guitar Ensemble. Taryn Turvey is representing the Children and Youth Choirs. Ronald Crutcher, Becky DeCamps, and Kevin Rosengren are serving as at-large members.

Please stay tuned for dates and times that will soon be shared, offering opportunities for congregational feedback and discernment.

It is a privilege to engage in this work of holy listening and prayer as we move into this next season of life together.