Summer 2026 Number 6

July 16, 2026

Dear Friends,

It’s good to be back in Wellfleet and worshipping at St. James the Fisherman. Last week, we had a great Sunday with Bishop Julia Whitworth. She led the patio conversation, preached and presided at worship, greeted folks at coffee hour, and spent a good part of the afternoon with the vestry. I think it’s fair to say that Bishop Whitworth was both intrigued and pleased with our 70-year-old summer chapel.

And speaking of 70 years….The Chapel is getting ready to celebrate next week its 70th birthday. If you haven’t already done so, please register on or by Sunday for the Saturday night (7/25) birthday dinner; it promises to be lots of fun. Please join us for Peter Kendall Clark's annual concert on Thursday (7/23) at 5:30 pm - and do invite your friends! And then, if you’re in town, make sure to worship with us on Sunday (7/26) as we commemorate 70 years of chapel life on the Feast of St. James the Fisherman.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to this Sunday with our guest preacher and teacher, The Very Rev. Pamela Werntz from Emmanuel Church, Boston. 

Finally, I am saddened to report the death of our beloved Barbara Ketchum. At the tender age of 91, Barbara died early on Wednesday morning. Funeral details will be announced in the coming days. Please hold Barbara and her family in your prayers.

All the details can be found in this newsletter so I hope you’ll take the time to read it. With gratitude to the editor!

Blessings, 

Tracey

This Week's Preacher:

The Very Rev. Pamela Werntz, Rector,

Emmanuel Church, Boston

 

Pam is Emmanuel’s 12th rector and first woman to be so called. She is also the first openly-queer, woman rector of an Episcopal parish in Boston. Throughout her career, Pam has worked diligently for social justice and support of the arts, particularly among and on behalf of people who are most marginalized in our society.

After receiving her A.B. in English from Franklin and Marshall College, Pam spent her next 15 years in the private sector, rising to Vice President of Human Resources in a large consulting firm in northern Virginia. In 1996, she migrated north with her family to attend the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. When she received her Master of Divinity in 2000, she was named a Lockhart Scholar for contributions to community life and awarded the Dietrich Prize for best paper on the urban mission of the Church.

Pam was ordained as deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts on June 15, 2002, and priest on May 31, 2003. She served as Associate Rector at St. Paul’s Church in Brookline, MA, from July 2002 to January 2008. She was called to Emmanuel as Priest-in-Charge in February 2008, and as Rector in January 2010. In September 2022 she was appointed dean of our diocese’s Boston Harbor Deanery.

Pam and her wife, Joy Howard, have three adult children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and four grandchildren.

8:30 AM Patio conversation

9:30 AM Worship with Holy Eucharist

This Week’s Patio Conversation

Sunday at 8:30 AM

Sharing Life and Faith With Difference


For over twenty years, Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Central Reform Temple have shared worship space, resources and programming on Newbury Street in Boston.  In 2019, the clergy and lay leaders of the two congregations signed a spiritual covenant, which declared their continuing commitment to a shared life together.  

Emmanuel’s relationship with the Temple goes beyond merely sharing their facilities: they “have become a kind of interfaith family. As partners in a covenant relationship, each of our congregations is faithfully rooted in its distinct religious traditions and deeply committed to our shared spiritual roots, values, and hopes for humanity and the world.”

Come to the patio conversation this week and learn more about how two faith communities have joined together through shared values while creatively and respectfully exploring their differences.

To learn more about their partnership, click here: 

Our 70th Anniversary

Celebrate with us July 23 - 26

This week we begin celebrating our 70th year of worship in this chapel on the hill, and you are invited to join in commemorating the founding, the evolution, and who we are today! 

Our big anniversary party is next Saturday, July 25th at 6:00 pm. Tickets will be on sale at the Chapel this Sunday, July 19th. This is your last chance to get tickets

The ticket price per person is $46 which includes a buffet meal catered by Van Rensselaer’s Restaurant, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and dessert. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening of fellowship and fun!

5th Annual

Peter Kendall Clark in Concert

Thursday, July 23rd

5:30 PM

Bring your friends and family!

The Feast of St. James the Fisherman

Sunday, July 26th

9:30 AM

Our annual liturgy of thanksgiving and remembrance for our chapel community, followed by a festive coffee hour of oysters and champagne.

In Memorium: Barbara Ketchum

 December 4, 1934 -- July 15, 2026

Barbara Ketchum, longtime member of the Chapel of St. James the Fisherman and our altar guild, died this week at her summer home here in Wellfleet, surrounded by her family.  

She was an accomplished and generous gardener who started tomato plants each year for Wellfleet friends who arrived later in the summer.  Her flower arrangements graced our altar.  She was also an avid golfer, past president of Chequesset Club Women’s Golf League and a volunteer at AIM Thrift Shop.  

Barbara could often be found on the walkway at the Wellfleet pier, sitting on the bench dedicated to the memory of her late husband, Zeke Ketchum.  

She is survived by her four children: Allison A. Kalbach (Art), Randolph F. Ketchum (Susan), Sarah J. Reilly  (Robert) and Clayton S. Ketchum  (Claire); ten grandchildren: Katelyn Gratton  (Nathan), and Tyler Kalbach; Preston (Kelsey), Erin and Reagan Ketchum; Joshua, Lindsey and Ezekiel Reilly; and Tobias and Elyse Ketchum; and seven great-grandchildren: Calum Kalbach; Zebedee, Killian and Conrad Gratton; Quinton, Sloane and Wilson Ketchum

Please hold her family in your prayers

A Funeral is planned for September 3^rd at the Chapel of St. James the Fisherman, Wellfleet.  

Photo below: Altar Guild 2023, Barbara at bottom right

Calling All Singers!

Wednesdays at 4:00



Singing is one of life’s great pleasures, and singing together can be a powerful spiritual expression. If you would enjoy additional opportunities to sing with friends, please join us in the chapel on Wednesdays at 4 pm through September 2.

We will explore some of the newer hymns scheduled on Sundays, and we’ll try our collective hand at some additional works. If time and interest warrant, we may form ourselves into a schola and sing, upon occasion, during Communion.

Please join us! — Peter Kosewski, Musician

THE CALENDAR

Help Us Stay In Touch With You

Please make sure we have your updated summer contact information (email, phone number) by emailing it to us at: stjameschapelwellfleet@gmail.com or fill out an information card when you get to the Chapel. Thanks!

The Chapel of St. James the Fisherman relies on the generous support of members and friends. Please make a donation and support the ministry of the Chapel.

The Chapel of

St. James the Fisherman

The Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Priest-in-Charge

Stewart Wood, Warden

Peter Kosewski, Musician