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It's more than 50 miles from Sarah Eck's home on a horse farm south of Richmond to the St. James's steeple on West Franklin Street. It's hard to know exactly how many churches exist between those two points, but it definitely makes one realize how special St. James's is for Sarah to make that trip not only for Sunday services but for a multitude of other programs throughout the week.
Sarah had been a lifelong Methodist until about three years ago when she started attending an Episcopal church closer to her farm. While she enjoyed the Episcopal church, she wanted to find one that provided more opportunities for learning and group study. As luck (or divine intervention) would have it, she stumbled upon the Doers.org website and was pleasantly overwhelmed with the vast array of options for spiritual study and lay service.
One Sunday last August, she made her first visit to St. James's and was hooked. It didn't hurt that she saw a few friendly faces in the crowd from her days in technology management consulting in the Richmond area.
Since attending that first Sunday, Sarah has jumped in quickly. She's been involved in several book studies, even helping to lead one discussion based on a book, Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating, by Dr. Norman Wzirba, allowing her to share her passion for health, nutrition and fitness. She's also become involved with the Care for Creation Committee, has enrolled in Education for Ministry and attends Wednesday night suppers as she is able.
Learning and service were the initial draws for the almost hour-long road trip. But Sarah says, "It is the combination of the music, message, sanctuary, and friendly parishioners that made me feel at home."
Shortly after visiting that first time, Sarah learned that a Newcomers class would start soon, and she decided to join so that she could learn more about St. James's and the Episcopal Church. This class led her to the Adult Confirmation series this past Spring.
In less than a year, Sarah went from first-time visitor to a member and active Doer when she was confirmed and received at St. James's on May 19, 2019.
What does Sarah's story have to do with Stewardship? Everything.
The very things that made St. James's a destination church for Sarah are the things that your annual gift supports -- music, education, a weekly calendar full of meaningful events, and our graceful, historic sanctuary.
When Sarah says, "St. James's is indeed a special place," she's speaking for all of us. And when we all combine our gifts, St. James's finds even more ways to be special ... whether you've been here for 50 years or you're a woman 50 miles away looking for a richer spiritual life.
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