An Invitation to Hope

TREY SIBLEY, PARISHIONER & 2026 ANNUAL GIVING CO-CHAIR
Just over a year ago, we learned that our Discernment Committee had called Beth to be our Rector. What a moment. It marked the beginning of the end of a lengthy period of self-reflection for the parish. And while there was plenty of apprehension, a feeling long hidden in a welter of emotions emerged—Hope.

For years, we had been compelled to focus on what was wrong with St. James’s. That work was important, to be sure. We made changes to help put our community on firmer footing going forward, and we shouldn’t discount the significance of that effort. But it wasn’t necessarily fun. (I’m reliably informed by my young nieces and nephew that being put in timeout is NEVER fun!)

The call of a new rector, though, invited us to shift our focus to what is right with St. James’s and to start hoping for the big things we believe our church can deliver.

The past 12 months have only fueled that hope. We’ve seen the completion and dedication of the ramp into our sanctuary, providing needed access and improving our beautiful memorial garden. We’ve been blessed with full pews on Sunday mornings and the joyful bustle of young families. And our clergy has provided the energy and direction needed to give us a sense of forward momentum. Through all of this, we’ve seen the Spirit move through our space in ways that invite us to hope for everything a re-energized St. James’s can accomplish.

When our program year starts again in September, we will ask you to accept that invitation and help St. James’s step forward with confidence to be the spiritual heart of the Fan and the City of Richmond more broadly. As you’ve heard from Beth, we have work to do to get our house in order. Our physical plant needs some attention—work that was deferred over the past few years can no longer wait. And we want to arm our incredibly talented staff with the resources they need to do the day-to-day work that allows St. James’s to be our vibrant spiritual home.

We cannot do these things—we cannot fulfill our shared call—without your financial gifts. Whenever it was that you first came to St. James’s, the church you found was the product of decades of generosity from Doers like you. It’s our turn now to ensure the St. James’s that future generations encounter will be the same vibrant community that serves as the centerpiece of our spiritual lives.

So, as you enjoy the sun down at the river, the lake, or the beach, we invite you to hope for the future of St. James’s and reflect on the blessings we’ve inherited. And critically, think about what you can do to manifest those hopes and transform our community. Kendal and I definitely will be!