The Shell Newsletter – December 17, 2020

From the Rector

Giving Thanks for What Has Been & Looking Ahead to What is to Come

As the year draws close, I am filled with gratitude. By any measure 2020 has been an unprecedented year. (And if I never hear the word unprecedented again, I’ll be happy!) Little did we know a year ago as we were preparing for Christmas that in just a few short months the world would change, and not only change, but shift in such a profound way as to make our preparations for this Christmas look so different. And yet…

And yet when I look back over this year, I don’t only see frustrations and challenges – I see perseverance and growth. When everything shut down in March, our community pulled together and learned how to stay church, stay connected, and take care of each other in new ways. As the months have continued, we’ve weathered this storm through people continuing to show up. Showing up to worship (outside or online), showing up to serve (each other and the wider community through Outreach efforts), showing up to give (in pledges and gifts, and through fundraising events), and showing up in ministry (adapting and reimagining everything we do).

I am proud of us. I’m proud of our church staff, Laura and Richard who turned on a dime and did everything needed to keep us going. I’m proud of our Nursery School staff, led by Pat and Sharon, who worked through the uncertainty of the spring, and then labored to get everything in place to open in the fall while putting safety first. I’m proud of our Thrift Shop staff. Of the work of former Manager Sandy Baker, along with Board Members, who created a plan to re-open the shop safely, and to Deb Schaeffer, Cheryl Windsor, Chris Henyon, and our dedicated staff and volunteers, who have continued to keep the shop running and serving the needs of the Mt. Airy community. And I’m proud of our whole St. James’ family, because in a year such as this, we have made choices centered on love and mercy.

We know that the turning of the year will not magically make everything better, next year still holds many uncertainties. But as I look ahead to 2021, I do so with hopes and intentions for continued growth. My prayer, therefore, as we approach Christmas, is that our hearts will be kindled with the light of Christ, and that it will continue to shine forth in our lives in the year to come.

Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+

Winter Heating Help
A reminder that we have a winter utilities fund available for members of St. James’. Please reach out to Rev. Kristin for more information if we can help you in the coming months.

 

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Sunday Worship Information

The middle-high Sunday School class is participating in the Drive-Thru Pageant on Sunday, December 20 from 5 to 7 pm.  There will be NO morning Sunday School class on that day.  In addition, we will not hold classes on December 27 or January 3.  Our next class gathering is scheduled for January 10 in the sanctuary – unless COVID guidelines change.  We will keep you informed.

Sunday School for Preschool through 5th grade, 9:30 to 10:00 am on Zoom.  We will meet on December 20, but not on December 27 or January 3.

Hello everyone!!

Anyone that knows me well knows that I REALLY love Christmas. I am so excited that December is here and have already decorated my home to the max (four Christmas trees, and counting). We were blessed with a beautiful fall – and we are now gearing up for winter and all that Christmas has to bring.

We are working hard to make this holiday season extra special for the children and staff. Each class will be working on different parts of our “St. James’ Christmas Village Display” which we will have on display in our front hall starting December 14^th.

     

We will be having school-wide “Grinch Days” on December 17 and 18. The children will come to school wearing green and any Grinch clothing they may have. Each class will be doing special green and Grinchy-like activities throughout the day! In conjunction with these activities, we are having a “Green Canned Veggie Food Drive” to benefit our local Mt. Airy Net.

Rather then having our in person Christmas events with our families each class will be doing a live Zoom Christmas Event. Parents and other family will be able to tune in to see the children sing some Christmas and holiday songs.

Another way that we are adapting to this new distanced year is by holding our registration for next school year through an online process! We will be using a link to a Google Registration Form and at the end of the form parents will be able to pay the registration fee through PayPal (with a small convenience fee added) or they can send in a check the next day. We will see how it goes! If their first choice for class placement is not available, they will be automatically placed on a change request list. I will have a time stamp for when each family completes their forms, so they will be in order of receipt. I will use this order when filling classes to help keep it fair.

Currently enrolled church members, staff, and School Board Members are invited to register early on January 19 and 20. Children that will turn two-years-old on or before September 2, 2021 are eligible to come to St. James in the fall. Alumni and church members that are not currently enrolled are invited to register on February 1 and 2. Please call or email the school to receive the link to register via the google form.

Merry Christmas from all of us at St. James’ Nursery School.

Pat Castle, Executive Director