From the Rector
St. James’ Awarded Clergy Renewal Grant
I am thrilled to officially share that we were among the 140 congregations across 36 states that have been awarded grants through the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program to fund my sabbatical!
It seems like more than ten months ago that we were hosting info sessions and asking for feedback from everyone. As a refresher, the purpose of our application was to design a program and secure funding to enable me to take a 3 month sabbatical next year. Our proposal included a chance for me to spend quality time with family, including a pilgrimage to walk the Camino di Santiago in Spain with Zachary and Jasper. It also included several fellowship events and opportunities for spiritual refreshment for the whole congregation. The work of the Renewal Team was sidetracked by COVID-19 like so much else this spring, but we rallied to finalize and file our grant application by the extended deadline in early June.
Earlier this month we learned we were awarded a grant for $32,000 to fund these plans and cover pastoral coverage while I’m away. The Lilly Endowment has now publicly announced winners and we couldn’t be happier to share the news!
Please join me in thanking Renewal Team members Jeannie Pellicier, Jane Barger, Joan Fader, Lynda Ellis, and Blix Winston. Their imagination, hard work, and love for our community is what made our application successful.
As for next steps, plans are on pause for the moment, as much of what we planned has been affected by COVID-19. I may still take sabbatical from the end of July to mid-October 2021 or we may push it back to 2022. As plans solidify we will let you know. In the meantime, let’s celebrate!
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
A Special THANK YOU!
On Monday the Re-Gathering Team met formally for the last time. We began meeting in June and for the last 5+ months this team has planned and shepherded us through the diocesan approval process for re-opening the church building, Thrift Shop, and Nursery School, beginning outdoor worship, and most recently our transition to indoor worship. In all things they put love of neighbor and safety first. While the work they set in motion will continue, I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank them for their time and dedication. Thank you Jeannie Pellicier, Dave Rak, Vic Pellicier, Mike Henyon, and Jim Bullington!
Sunday Worship Information
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has suspended all indoor worship due to increasing COVID-19 numbers. For the next two Sundays, 11/15 and 11/22, we will revert to one online service via Zoom and Facebook at 10:30 am. We will wait for further instruction from the diocese for planning forward from there.
ONLINE WORSHIP
Join us on the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost for the Liturgy of the Word at 10:30 am followed by Zoom Coffee Hour, or watch the service livestreamed on Facebook.
We will “open the doors” beginning at 10:15 am for folks to greet each other and say good morning. Kristin+ will give instructions at 10:25 am and we will begin recording and livestreaming the service promptly at 10:30 am. Don’t worry if you’re late – you can still attend via Zoom if you “get to church” at 10:40!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 820 8668 4148
Passcode: 242425
One tap mobile +13017158592,,82086684148#
Facebook Livestream
We plan to begin streaming to Facebook at 10:30 am. If you arrive at Facebook and you don’t see the video, please refresh your screen. There is a delay.
Outreach
Nine College CARE packages were filled with goodies—some nutritional, some maybe not! :)—and an included personal note then sent in October to our students for their enjoyment as they continue their studies. We received feedback that they were “super excited” to receive them! Thank you so much to parishioners who were so kind to donate.
Outreach is hoping to be able to facilitate an Angel Tree gift collection in December. At this time we are still awaiting further information from Carroll County Social Services as to their plans for distribution. Please watch for further information about our participation in future Shell articles.
Best wishes to all from your Outreach Committee for a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to donate Thanksgiving dinner to our 10 families from Mt. Airy NET. The Outreach Committee appreciates your generosity! Please bring your donations up to the church through Sunday, November 15. The church will be open from 12-2 pm on that day if you prefer to come then. We are still in need of some pies to be donated if you would like to sign up for this. Please click on the Sign-Up Genius Button to do so.
BASKET RAFFLE LAST CHANCE!!!
This weekend will be your LAST CHANCE to purchase Raffle Tickets and Cash ‘n Carry Baskets, as well as, bid on 11 fantastic Silent Auction items!
The Basket Raffle WILL be open the next few days with social distancing in the church sanctuary at the following times:
Friday, Nov 13, 12:30-1:30
Saturday, Nov 14, 3:00-5:00
Sunday, Nov 15, 10:00-2:00
Winners will be notified by phone on Monday morning. You gotta play to WIN!!!
Finance/Stewardship
The Vestry is excited to hold it’s first ever DRIVE-THRU PLEDGE CONSECRATION on Sunday, November 22 from 12-2 pm. If you have not already filled out your pledge form and sent it in, please come visit us on this Sunday. In pre-Covid times we always had a pot-luck lunch to celebrate this day and I looked forward to it every year. It was always a great chance to catch up with different folks and I usually came away with a new recipe from all the yummy food that was served. Although I will miss that this year, I am hoping to still catch up with each of you as you drive by. No yummy food will be served but we will have cocoa for everyone and a chance to win a beautiful basket from the Basket Raffle Committee.
Your pledge is needed at this time so that the Vestry can make budgetary and financial decisions and to continue our work of: “Stay Church. Stay Connected. Take Care of One Another”. If you are able, please help us continue our mission. You may bring your pledge to the Drive-Thru Consecration on November 22, mail it in or drop it off during office hours of 9-4 Monday-Thursday. Thank you.
Jeannie Pellicier
Senior Warden
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fall Book Discussion Group
Don’t forget our Fall Book Discussion Group is happening THIS EVENING AT 7:00 PM!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 820 3403 7420
Passcode: 317035
Kits will be available for socially distanced pick up from Noon-2:00 on Sunday 11/15 and Sunday 11/22. If you aren’t able to make one of these times, or if you need a kit dropped off at your home, please let me know – we want to get a kit to every household that wants one!
Advent Series: A Thrill of Hope
Weekly from Noon-1:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 840 0945 7236
Passcode: 507341
Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Activity Pack
Church Publishing has put together a free activity pack for children and families for the upcoming holiday season. You can download it here or pick up a hard copy when you come to the Take Home Kit Drive Thru on November 15 or 22 (Noon-2).
Lectionary Readings for the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost:
Next Week’s Commemorations:
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2020 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you pray to on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Peg Pelch
Vic and Jeannie Pellicier (William, Caroline)
David and Heather Peters (Amber, Connor)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.