The Rev. Jim Blagg Retires from St. John’s, Durant
After 35 dedicated years of ministry at St. John's in Durant, Fr. Jim Blagg is retiring. His final Sunday service will be on April 6th. You are invited to his retirement party on April 5th, 2:00-4:00pm at St. John's in the parish hall.
We interviewed him about his remarkable 35 years of ministry at St. John’s, Durant.
Fr. Jim shared a ministry high point from the many years, “Perhaps the first big ministry high from serving St. John’s was the first time I baptized the child of a woman who had grown up since Junior High age at St. John’s. This wonderful feeling caught me by surprise. I felt like a “spiritual grandparent”. Since that occasion I have been privileged many times to baptize the children of the children who grew up at St. John’s, baptizing two generations.
He reflected on what he will miss and what he hopes for the future of St. John’s, “I think I will most miss the frequent contact with parishioners, keeping up with their week to week lives, challenges, and joys. My hope for the future of St. John’s is of course its continued growth in spirituality, ministry to the community and growth in vitality. St. John’s already has such an impact in the community. St. John’s is the seven day a week home to Durant’s A.A. community. The parish provides gifts to the obstetrics unity of the local hospital, landscaping for the Boys and Girls Club of Durant and hosting monthly birthday parties for the youth of the Boys and Girls Club. St. John’s also provides emergency food every day of the year through a Blessing Box ministry.”
He shared what he plans to do in retirement, “Even though my Leave Taking Sunday is several weeks in the future, April 6, I am currently off work until then due to medical treatment this winter. Now, post-treatment, I am rebuilding my immune system and as a result must not go around large groups until April. I have already started some retirement activities, specifically working in our yard and preparing for a great summer of vegetable gardening. We are blessed with a large back yard which has multiple fenced garden areas. After Leave taking Sunday, I plan to remain active as a supply clergy in the diocese and am willing to serve in opportunities as may develop. My wife Caroline also being retired from the teaching profession, we are looking forward to a more flexible travel schedule.”
Reflecting on his years of ministry, he shared, “While it is the Bishop who ordains deacons and priests, it is the congregations we serve that truly form clergy into pastors, spiritual leaders, and servants of the servants of God. I am grateful for every congregation in Texas and Oklahoma I have been privileged to serve.”
