Ministry Guidance Team of St. James

The Rev. Linda Seracuse, Rector [email]
Linda is a cradle Episcopalian and a Colorado native transplanted to Conroe in 2001. As Rector, her job is to share God's love, compassion, and Word with people by presiding in the liturgy, inviting those present to experience our Lord's presence in the Holy Eucharist. She further considers herself to be an empowerer of others to share the Good News. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 139 ("Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.") Linda's fondest wish for St. James is that it truly become "The Place to Be" - both for those presently here, and for those many people moving into the area.

The Rev. David Sugeno, Assistant to the Rector [email]

David is a life-long Episcopalian and a native of central Texas, having been born and raised in Austin, and spent much of his adult life in the nearby Hill Country of San Marcos and Johnson City. David is a lover of nature, and enjoys any activity that keeps him outdoors. He is also a lover of the Episcopal Church as an expression of God’s reconciling love in the world, and believes that we are shaped in our beliefs and formed into Christian life through our worship. As a recently ordained deacon, David has a heightened awareness that servanthood lies at the heart of what it is to be a Christian. David and his wife Amy live in Conroe with two dogs and a cat.

The Rev. John Worrell, Associated Clergy [email]
John has been in ordained ministry for more than 50 years and came to be associated with St. James after experience in a variety of settings, from Beeville, Texas, to Autry House on the campus of Rice University. He preaches in the regular rotation, teaches often, and is customarily the presider of the Wednesday-morning healing service. He is editor of Nevertheless: A Texas Church Review, and brings to St. James a deep love and respect for both the history and the future of the church.

Jamie Murphy, Director of Children's Ministry [email]

In 1990, Jamie who was raised in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod married James, who was reared in the Roman Catholic Church. Knowing the importance of attending church as a family, when they were expecting their first child in 1994 they visited St. James and became members that same year. After many years of volunteering in various capacities in the parish, Jamie became a member of the staff in 2008. Jamie feels that the Episcopal faith is one of acceptance and she values the traditions and beliefs that the church represents. She is a firm believer in the importance of early childhood involvement in the church as a means to provide a solid Christian foundation. Her goal is to make the programs educational as well as "fun and exciting" for the children of St. James and the broader community. Jamie and James reside in Conroe and have a son, Chase and a daughter Meghan.

Mary Fitzgerald, Lay Ministry Coordinator [email]

Mary was born in Ireland ... on St. Patrick's Day. She grew up thinking that the annual parade outside her parents' big bay window was all for her. After stints in Colorado and California, she ended up at St. James, where her daily duties consist of preparing bulletins, coordinating volunteer service schedules, and acting as a pastoral liaison.

Kay Stevens, Parish Administrator [email]
Kay and her family have been members of this Parish since 1987. Over the years she has contributed to the life of the Parish through various voluntary positions. Kay first joined the staff in 1995 as Youth Director. She left this position to work with her husband Jay as they started a new business venture. In 2006 the Office Administrator/Rector Assistant position became available. Kay volunteered to help out while the church was looking for a replacement. As time went on, it seemed a good fit, and the position was changed from voluntary to permanent. Kay’s duties entail working with volunteers, parishioners, and staff to make sure the day-to-day church activities run smoothly. She and Jay have a daughter Leslie and a son Jason.

Ronald Liston, Director of Youth Ministry [email]
After being raised in St. James and serving the congregation in several voluntary capacities for many years (including a stint as Senior Warden), Ronald officially joined the staff in 2005 to serve in the youth program. His job is to create an environment for the youth to get involved in the church, keeping their focus and commitment on God. Ronald is married and raising two children as well as substitute teaching in the Montgomery School District as he works toward a teaching certificate.

Joseph Painter, Director of Music / Organist [email]

Joseph says that if you sing it, hum it, tap it, or play it, he's in charge of it! A native of Bedford, Virginia, he discerned and began to cultivate an interest in church music early in his life. His mentors include Bill Walsh, his first piano teacher, and Richard McPherson, his undergratudate organ professor. His favorite part of the job is working with people of all ages and helping them develop their musical talents for worship leadership. Joseph desires for everyone at St. James to have excitement and passion for worship, Christian formation, missions outside the church, and care for each other.

Vestry

In accord with the Canons of the Episcopal Church, members of the St. James Vestry are “agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its Clergy.”

The 2008 Vestry members are:

Ann McCaleb, Senior Warden
Ron Dube, Junior Warden
Hank Barnett
Jo Ann Bartlow
Lew Brown
Lin Casebier
Dick Deming
Chevis Dodd
Cheryl Fox
Greg Grinage
Gary Mince
Sharon Parker

Nancy Jenkins, Clerk of the Vestry
Eleanor Vallhonrat, Parish Treasurer

How to Become a Member

Welcome to St. James! We’re so glad to have the chance to answer this question for you.

First and most important, you are always welcome to come and participate. If, as you grow in your life in Christ, you would like to join with us in a formal way, we hope that you will contact the church office or a member of the clergy as soon as is convenient.

Membership in St. James the Apostle involves regular attendance at worship, a commitment to continued growth through Christian education, giving for the spread of the Kingdom as one is able, and undertaking a ministry on behalf of others.

There are a number of ways you can become a member of St. James:

Baptism in the name of the Trinity is for anyone, of any age.
Confirmation is a public commitment to the terms of the Baptismal Covenant, in the presence of the Bishop, following a period of instruction.
Reception is for those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another Church, and also takes place in the presence of the Bishop, following a period of instruction.

If you are already a baptized and confirmed member of an Episcopal congregation, simply let us know that you’re ready to transfer your membership and we will gladly begin the process.

Episcopalians

The Episcopal Church occupies a unique position distinct from either the Roman Catholic or reformed Protestant traditions. The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, derived from the Church of England, with the Archbishop of Canterbury as titular head. The Anglican Communion shares in the traditions of the faith and order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.

Characterized by tolerance, fair-mindedness and generosity, Episcopalians find the fullest expression of Christianity in Holy Scripture and in the creeds, which clearly express our belief in the Holy Trinity, the sacraments, and ministry. The foundations of our faith are:

scripture, the Word of God which comes to us through human authors inspired by God, and which is understandable under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who leads the Church in the interpretation of scripture;
tradition, which by its continuity and consistency preserves the essential truths through education and liturgy; and
reason, which encourages us to explore and seek to comprehend God’s works, and to make responsible moral decisions under the guidance of scripture and the Holy Spirit.

The Episcopal Church is liturgical, having rites for public worship. Three primary sources are used in each service: the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Hymnal. To facilitate your worship experience, we provide service bulletins to guide your participation.

The ministers of the Episcopal Church are bishops, priests, deacons, and lay persons. The bishop is called to represent Christ and his Church as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a geographic area called a diocese. The priest represents Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people within the congregation and leader of a parish or mission, proclaims the Gospel, administers the sacraments, teaches, and blesses and declares pardon in the name of God. The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need, and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and administration of the sacraments. All Christians are called to represent Christ and his Church, to bear witness to him wherever they may be, to come together week by week for corporate worship, and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the Kingdom of God.