Dear People of St. James,

I am beyond excited to join you as your 26th rector. My energy and optimism for this new chapter of life together are based in the rich history of this parish that has been worshipping together in one form or another since 1842. Over the past five months or so of discernment with the dedicated (and indefatigable!) members of both the Nominating Committee and the Vestry, I have come to appreciate what a faithful community this is. I’ve also gotten a sense of the many gifts you have to share with the wider Marietta community and beyond. Your dedication to worship and music, your service to the communities inside and outside of the sanctuary walls, and all of the many ways you care for your neighbors and each other are a testament to your fidelity and joy in Christ. 

My roots in Marietta run deep- when I take my daughters, Ruby and Maisie, to play on the train playground on the Square, I do it with memories of my own playtime with friends there when it was first built. I attended grade school at the Walker School, and graduated from McEachern High School before heading off to the University of Georgia. Shortly after that, I went to New York to attend General for seminary, was ordained here in Atlanta, and spent the early years of my ministry in the Dioceses of Bethlehem and Pennsylvania. In 2022, after almost a decade in Philadelphia as the rector of St. Mary’s, Hamilton Village, at the University of Pennsylvania, my husband, Mitch, and I made the decision to move our family back to the Marietta area to be closer to my father as my mother had died in early 2021. In getting acquainted with the history of St. James, I was warmed to learn that one of the founding members of the parish, William Root, asked that it be named after his parish of St. James in Philadelphia. In many ways, being called as your rector feels like a homecoming.

I know what I’ve seen so far is only a glimpse of the vibrant tapestry of the congregation and parish, and I’m looking forward to discovering deeper detail as I get to know you all. I start officially on May 1, and it is fitting that we start our ministry together on a day dedicated to Mary, the mother of Christ. In the sacred story of our salvation, she stands as the first person to say yes to the Incarnation of Our Lord, and as the only participant in that holy moment who was simply and only human. Let us take inspiration from her and live our lives as mirrors of God’s grace and love to the world, reflecting in every aspect of our humanity the yes that we have all said to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Redeemer. In your prayer for your new rector, you asked God for “the priest, pastor, preacher, teacher, who will invite us to live out the Baptismal Covenant every day of all of our lives.” I am humbled and honored to be invited to walk this pilgrim’s path of Christian discipleship alongside you all.

My family and I are looking forward to joining you in worship, prayer, and the work of living in Christian community, and I ask that you keep us all in your prayers as we pray for you!

In Christ,

The Rev. Mariclair Partee Carlsen+