From the Vestry
The St. James’ vestry took part in a successful 2018 retreat last weekend. This year we started off Friday evening with fellowship and a pot luck dinner hosted at Jane Barger’s home. We enjoyed a delicious meal and conversation then we moved into scripture reflection with a focus on The Acts of the Apostles – Chapter 7. The evening progressed into icebreakers and we reviewed resources that will aid in our conversations as your vestry.
Saturday morning our vestry gathered again as we met in our wonderful worship space to host the vestry retreat. St. James’ was joined by Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church and The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter (An Episcopal-Lutheran Community in Baltimore). Let me first say, what immediately came to me after having experienced this retreat was the words of Matthew 18:20 – New International Version (NIV) “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” This was definitely compounded when you bring together three churches and their vestry leadership. I felt the Holy Spirit at work as our churches joined together in worship and fellowship to explore and expand our knowledge.
St. James’ wrapped up the day with our February vestry meeting, where among other business, we worked through an organic process that lead us to raise up the 2018 vestry officers and liaisons. I am honored to present our new leaders for 2018.
Senior Warden – Cheri McClanahan
Jr. Warden – Ty Conlon
Treasurer – Jane Barger
Registrar – Debra Schaffer
Clerk of the Vestry – Susan Straus
Thrift Shop Liaison – Cheryl Windsor
Nursery School Liaison – Phillip Massay
Outreach Liaison – Lucy Winston
In addition to the vestry officers and liaisons noted above, I wanted to remind us of our other vestry members which include Cory DelRegno, Janet McKeever, Jeannie Pellicier, Chris Richard, Averelle Smith, Heather Albertson, Jason Kilmore and of course our wonderful Rector, The Reverend Kristin Krantz. On behalf of the vestry let me say “Thank You” for allowing us the honor to serve the Saint James Church community.
Formation
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Classes in Lower Level every Sunday
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
March is here, which means all Sunday School classes have begun the “Spring Term” of Living the Good News curriculum. Spring is in the air (I think!).
We are currently focusing on Lent and encouraging children to give thanks and remember our A is for Africa outreach project by saving coins in their mite boxes. Please join us in support of this worthwhile outreach project. Mite boxes are available for everyone to participate. If you missed hearing our guests, Mary Anne & Rick Smith (local A is for Africa ambassadors) tell of their recent visit to Tanzania, check out the website: www.aisforafrica.org.
Upcoming dates to remember:
March 11th – No Sunday School: One worship service at 9:30 a.m.
Followed by parish pot luck meal
March 25th – Palm Sunday: 4th Sunday Group activity at 9:30 a.m.
Students will participate in “Passport to Jerusalem”
We give thanks for our dedicated Sunday School teachers and helpers, and appreciate the opportunity of working with your amazing children…..
Bible Stories for Preschoolers: Yvette Allen, Sarah Brown
Kindergarten-2nd Grades: Betsy Davis, Jessica Bahorich
3rd – 5th Grades: Karen Phillips
6th – 12th Grades: Joan Fader
Group Activities: Nancy Nanavaty
Children’s Music: Jon Fader
Youth
Our next Youth meeting will be on March 11, 2018. Look for more information to come. In the meantime, make sure to mark your calendars for the following fundraising events:
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
The pancake supper on Tuesday, February 13th was a great success largely due to the support provided by our wonderful helpers. Many thanks to: the people who supported this event. Thanks to all who donated sausages, applesauce, and juice. Thanks to those who helped set up on Sunday and decorated. Thanks to the wonderful kitchen staff who prepared the pancakes and sausage. Thanks to the servers who tirelessly doled out pancakes. Thanks to the cleanup crew who restored the great hall to its sanctuary setting. Special thanks for stepping in during my illness, and making this a success.
Everyone had a fun and festive time. There were approximately 60 people in attendance which made for an excellent turnout. Proceeds from the supper totaled $400.00.
Lenten Calendar and Donation Boxes
To benefit Mt. Airy Net. Spring and summer seem to be the time of most need for food and sundry items in the community. Patty Bullington is using her wonderful skills to create a calendar for us and our Sunday School children are decorating boxes.
Pick up your calendar on Sunday, February 18 along with a box. Much like an advent calendar, you will open a window during each day of lent and place the suggested food or sundry item in your box. The Outreach Committee will be collecting boxes on March 25.
Understanding Our Environmental Legacy III
Will be offered the four Wednesdays in April at 7 pm at St. James’. Topics will include Maryland’s biodiversity, food waste/composting, climate change. Please get the word out – more information to come. Contact Liz Peterson (jplp5@yahoo.com) or 240-446-1932 if you would like to help or have suggestions. We have offered light refreshments in the past, any help will be appreciated!
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2018 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you to pray on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Paul and Charlotte Oswald
Tom and Julie Patterson (Conor, Jason, Caleb, Kaitlyn)
Victor and Jeannie Pellicier (Maria, William, Caroline)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
