Rector – Messenger
Continuing my practice of sharing poetry while I’m away – wishing you a blessed week!
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Messenger
~Mary Oliver~
My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird–
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect?
Let me keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.
The phoebe, the delphinium.
The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.
Which is mostly rejoicing, since all the ingredients are here.
which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart
and these body-clothes,
a mouth with which to give shouts of joy
to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,
telling them all, over and over, how it is that we live forever.
Formation
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Summer is here! Although Sunday School classes are not held during July and August, it is always a joy to see the children with their families during summer worship. Searching for “Flat St. James” during refreshment time is a challenging adventure. Join the fun each Sunday. If you pick up a passport in the narthex, you will receive a stamp each time you locate the hidden figure.
We are in need of volunteers to teach Sunday School beginning in September. If you would like to read Bible stories on a rotating schedule to our preschool children, please contact Yvette Allen for details. For information about our other classes, please contact Joan Fader. Perhaps you would like to look through one of our curriculum books during the summer to get a feel for how easy it is to teach a class. Please consider this wonderful ministry.
Yvette Allen (yallen1952@gmail.com)
Betsy Davis (jbeezd@aol.com)
Joan Fader (faderj1@juno.com)
ADULT FORMATIOM – Summer Spirituality
Read a book
Here are some suggestions:
- Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass
- Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus by Michael B. Curry
- My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer by Christian Wiman
- Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People by Nadia Bolz-Weber
Pray the Daily Office
Whether you grab a copy of the Book of Common Prayer and a Bible, use a website, or download an app, you can pray in the morning, evening, or at night following the pattern Christians have used for centuries. Praying Compline is a great way to end the day as a family. And the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families are super quick ways to pray even while at work.
- Feel free to grab a Book of Common Prayer from the bookcases at the back of church. Consider using the NRSV translation or Message paraphrase of the Bible
- The Daily Office website from The Mission of St. Clare guides you through the service with music and scripture embedded [http://www.missionstclare.com/english/]
- The Daily Office app from Argyle Software is my favorite of the many apps out there (disclaimer – the creator is a friend & colleague) [http://argyle-software.com/]
Listen to Podcasts
There are so many great podcasts out there (I’d love to hear your favorites), but here are a few to check out:
- OnBeing with Krista Tippett is a series of conversations about the big questions of meaning in 21st century lives focusing on spiritual inquiry, science, social healing, and the arts. [https://onbeing.org/series/podcast/]
- Pray as You Go is produced by Jesuit Media Initiatives and is a daily prayer session designed to go with you wherever you go. It is not a ‘Thought for the Day,’ a sermon, or a Bible study, but rather a framework for your own prayer. Lasting between ten and thirteen minutes, it combines music, scripture, and some questions for reflection. [https://pray-as-you-go.org/home]
- Popping Collars stands at the intersection of religion and pop culture. Hosted by a variety of GenX/Millennial clergy, you’ll find interesting conversations about that Netflix series you’ve been binge watching alongside commentary on movies, music, and books. (another disclaimer – most of the folks who do this podcast are clergy friends!) [https://poppingcollarspodcast.com/]
Youth
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kristin+ away for vacation
Kristin+ will be away from July 1 through July 7. If you are in need of pastoral care during that time please contact our Senior Warden, Cheri McClanahan.
Where in the Church is Flat St. James?
Last Sunday everyone had great fun searching for Flat St. James an collecting a stamp for their passport. If you want to join in the fun, pick up your very own passport in the narthex. This week, see our guest clergy, Ann Boyd to receive your stamp.
Take Flat St. James with you wherever you go this summer!
Pick up supplies to make your own Flat St. James, and instruction sheets for taking and sharing summer pictures with him. We can’t wait to see what our St. James’ community is up to over the summer! Don’t forget to send in your pictures to office@stjamesmtairy.org.
Amazon Prime Day
Be sure to set St. James’ as your Amazon Smile charity to make a donation every time your shop. Click HERE for more information.
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:
Jim and Patty Bullington
Rebecca Carbis (Will)
James and Vivian Carden
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
