From the Rector – February Book Group Selection & Dates
The new year means it’s time for a new book for our Book Group! Eighteen folks met between the two gatherings last November to reflect on Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I’ve loved) by Kate Bowler.
Next up we’re reading Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. The days may be getting a few minutes longer every day, but the darkness of winter still holds sway and that’s the perfect time for this book.
Sign up in the narthex (so we know how many seats to reserve) for either of the February discussion dates: Thursday 2/7 or Tuesday 2/26. Both gatherings will begin at 7:00 pm at The Mount Airy Tavern.
Here is a description to convince you to run out an borrow or buy this book!
Barbara Brown Taylor’s Learning to Walk in the Dark provides a way to find spirituality in those times when we don’t have all the answers.
Taylor has become increasingly uncomfortable with our tendency to associate all that is good with lightness and all that is evil and dangerous with darkness. Doesn’t God work in the nighttime as well? In Learning to Walk in the Dark, Taylor asks us to put aside our fears and anxieties and to explore all that God has to teach us “in the dark.” She argues that we need to move away from our “solar spirituality” and ease our way into appreciating “lunar spirituality” (since, like the moon, our experience of the light waxes and wanes). Through darkness we find courage, we understand the world in new ways, and we feel God’s presence around us, guiding us through things seen and unseen. Often, it is while we are in the dark that we grow the most.
With her characteristic charm and literary wisdom, Taylor is our guide through a spirituality of the nighttime, teaching us how to find our footing in times of uncertainty and giving us strength and hope to face all of life’s challenging moments.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Outreach
The foster children that we supported this year through our outreach program were thrilled with the gifts they received! A representative from the program said the children aren’t used to receiving such nice gifts and it is wonderful to them that others care. Thank you all so much! You truly made a difference in their lives!
Remember the “Souperbowl” message from our last announcement? Well, it’s coming this Sunday to St. James’. The purpose of this is to help Mt. Airy Net by providing cans of soup for their food pantry during the cold winter months. An area will be set up in the church depicting a goal post. A box will be placed at each corner of the post to deposit cans of soup. Two team insignias (yet to be determined) will be placed at the top of the goal post; one on each side. Put your can of soup in the box that designates your favorite team or the team you think will win the super bowl. One can per person, young or mature. Let’s see how many cans of soup we can provide to the Net!
Blessings,
The Outreach Committee
Finance/Stewardship
As 2018 leaves and 2019 arrives, Finance is always busy finalizing the old year and preparing for the new year! The 2018 Pledge Statements are ready for pick-up in the Narthex of the Church. Although we initially decided to prepare separate Pledge and R&E statements, we have thought better of that idea given the increase in postage and paper expense. Last year, it cost over $60 to mail statements that had not been picked up by parishioners and we would like to avoid that expense this year. The statement is a combined Pledge and R&E report and it should be very clear to see the breakdown between both donations. Questions about Pledges should be directed to Aline Sautter and for R&E to Jane Barger.
The Vestry’s work is progressing on the 2019 Budget which will be presented for approval at the Annual Meeting on January 27, 2019. To date, we have received pledges totaling 91% of our 2019 pledge goal amount of $210,000. With a 9% shortfall, the Vestry is praying that there are still some Pledges to be received so that expense adjustments will not have to be made at the January meeting. Thank you to all parishioners who have made a commitment to support St. James’ and our ministries so generously.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office Schedule
Monday – Wednesday 10-4. Thursday 1-5.
Guiding Stars!
You’re invited to add a guiding star – a word, a hope, or a prayer – to our Epiphany sky: things to help guide us toward the transforming love of God in our lives, our community, and the world. We’ll continue adding stars the whole season after Epiphany.
Candidates for the Vestry Class of 2019-2022
The Vestry Nominating Committee is very excited to announce the candidates for the Vestry Class of 2019-2022: Ty Conlon, Bill Ellis, Steve Stowell, Andrew Gobien. You can read their bios HERE!
Return Advent Wreath Forms
Have you pulled apart your Advent wreath yet? If so, please return the metal form to the box in the narthex and we will store them for reuse next year!
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:
Maureen Suckling
Scott and Margaret Swetz
Mary Ellen Thompson
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
Readings for the 1 Epiphany, January 13, 2019 :
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Commemorations for the week of January 13, 2019:
