From the Rector
Winter Heating Help
It’s been a tumultuous year to say the least, and as COVID numbers are on the rise and weather is turning, it looks like it will be a hard winter as well. This is why I was blown away when a member of our congregation, who wishes to remain anonymous, reached out to me to set up a fund to help members of St. James’ with gas and electric bills this winter. I am thankful for their generosity and ask you to join me in saying a prayer for gratitude.
In the days, weeks, and months ahead if you need help with heating bills please reach out to me. I know it’s not always easy to ask for help, but please know your request will remain anonymous. Please use these funds, given in love, to keep safe and healthy this winter.
It is a gift of community that our joys are doubled, and our troubles halved. I am grateful for the gift of the St. James’ community, where the gift of these funds is an outward and visible sign of the inward and spiritual grace that abides here.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
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 Christ the King Sunday 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.
Sunday School classes will be held this coming Sunday, the 22nd (Zoom for preschool-5th and indoors for middle-high school). However, there will be NO classes for either group on Sunday, the 29th (Thanksgiving weekend). Everyone stay safe and be well!
Nursery School
The Nursery Board met last week. Planning is underway for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Working closely with the Vestry, the Board is overseeing safety grant applications to improve the school’s campus.
- The school office will be transitioning to a new accounting software system in the spring.
- State inspections and accreditations continue to be paramount as the school’s Director, Pat Castle, forges on with adaptations to the school’s program. Many of the parents and staff, including Board members, praise Pat’s efforts as she continues to lead the school through the newly mandated church and state guidelines.
- The monthly Nursery School Parent Newsletter (published by the Director), highlights the childrens’ activities, chapel times, milestones, and offers links to community happenings.
- Last month the children were able to have a harvest-style field trip right here at the school! Check out the photos below.
The Nursery Board does not meet in December. Holiday plans to thank the staff are in the works. Look for commemorations in January as the Board reflects back on “the year that was…”
A View From The Pew
Lately, our pew has been in the comfort of our homes while we worship online with members of the St. James’ community. We do regularly draw in people from the wider community looking for a welcoming place of solace during these troublesome times. St. James’ shines the light of Christ which people can’t help but be attracted to. We continue to minister even under these modified circumstances.
St. James’ has been touched by COVID and has demonstrated the effectiveness of masking and social distancing. Even still, we long to hug our friends. We miss seeing their beautiful smiles. And many of us have had enough of fogging glasses. Please continue to persevere–you are helping!
I recently came across the following prayer which made me look at our “restraints” in a different way. I hope it brings you peace!
A Prayer for Putting on a Face Mask
Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of CanadaCreator God, as I prepare to go into the world, help me to see the sacramental nature of wearing this cloth. Let it be a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbors, as I love myself.Christ Jesus, since my lips will be covered, uncover my heart, that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be muffled, help me to speak clearly, not only with my words, but with my actions.Holy Spirit, as the elastic touches my ears, remind me to listen carefully and caringly to all those I meet. May this simple piece of cloth be shield and banner, and may each breath that it holds be filled with Your love. In Your name and in that love, I pray. Amen.
Laura D.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
2020 Basket Raffle and Silent Auction Thank You!
I am pleased to report that our 14th Annual Basket Raffle and Silent Auction was quite successful in spite of limitations imposed upon us this year by COVID-19. It is my thrill to announce we earned $2,972 to donate to our church!!
This would not have been possible without the generosity, both in materials, time, talent and spirit, of so many of you. In particular, I would like to thank the Raffle committee—from our awesome “Basket Brigade” (Joan Collins, Joan Fader, Cheryl Windsor and me), to our amazing Silent Auction “visionary” Mary Hutchins-Danna and our excellent volunteer coordinator Betsy Davis—a small, but mighty group—all deserve a huge thanks!! A very special thank you also to our Parish Administrator Laura Davis who is always more than willing to help in many ways toward our success.
In addition, we are very grateful for the special monetary and gift certificate donations, as well as, the lovely donated items received toward our baskets from our parishioners. Many thanks as well to our Nursery School and Thrift Shop for their continued support of this important fundraising event.
Blessings~
Marilyn Hancock, Chairperson
Drive-Thru Pledge Consecration
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
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 Christ the King 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:
Bill and Karen Phillips
Cody and Erin Pond (Finn)
Gary and Betty Poole (Ben)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.