Constellation Planning Retreat, November 2024

The planning process for a possible “constellation” ministry in Charles County is gaining traction! Rev. Catharine, Deacon Susan, and Vestry Representative Sue Kaspar attended a fruitful half-day planning retreat on Saturday with leaders from the congregations of St James’ Indian Head and the Christ Churches of La Plata and Wayside.

The goal of the retreat was to create the outlines of a position description for a full-time priest who would serve St James’ as Rector and would serve the wider Charles County community as a missional resource.  This person would be committed roughly quarter time to St James’, preaching and presiding there two Sundays a month and performing the canonical duties of a rector (leading Vestry, assuming responsibility for use of the buildings).  They would also serve one Sunday a month at Durham and one Sunday a month at La Plata/Wayside, not necessarily preaching or presiding every time.

The bulk of their job would be the formation and leadership of a small group ministry in the community. Examples of this might be a caregivers’ group, a young adults’ dinner group, a study group like Sacred Ground or Alpha.  The intention would be to spread the gospel, to raise awareness of our congregations, and to create ‘critical mass’ for ministries that would benefit existing parishioners and newcomers alike.