From the Rector – Parish Vision Update
As we settle into the fall and the hubbub from our amazing Basket Raffle quiets down, I want to share an update about the parish vision work we announced at the Annual Meeting last January.
The Vestry spent time on retreat in February delving deeper into core values and vision work. As the conversation around planning to pull together a team to lead the whole parish in such work continued into the spring and summer, a new consensus was discerned and the Vestry decided to press the pause button. We began spending time at each Vestry meeting studying different articles and resources about congregational development and church trends to help prepare us as parish leadership for this undertaking at some point in the near future.
In the meantime, we are holding up the Diocesan mission statement as our touchstone and guiding principle for ministry: The mission of the churches of the Diocese of Maryland is to ENCOUNTER Christ everywhere and ENGAGE in God’s mission of reconciliation in the world.
If you have questions or would like to share your thoughts on this work please drop me a line or talk with any member of the Vestry.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Outreach
The Outreach Survey results will be coming soon to your e-mailbox! On 10/12 we will be tallying all the results from the survey and will let you know the results soon thereafter. Thank you to all who participated!
We may be participating in an upcoming shoe drive. Keep your eyes peeled for more information.
We assembled care packages this morning for our young adults. They are ready to be blessed and mailed. Your donations are sure to send warmth and love.
Please keep donations coming for Mt. Airy NET. Click HERE for a list of suggested items.
Basket Raffle and Silent Auction Thank YOU!
We are pleased to report that our 11th Annual Basket Raffle and Silent Auction one-day Fall Fest event was fun and quite successful; our profit for the church and it’s outreach projects is $5,472!
This would not have been possible without the generosity, both in materials, time, talent and spirit, of so
many of you. We would like to first thank the Raffle Committee—from our “CEO” who coordinated the Silent Auction as well as made sure things ran smoothly from beginning to end—to our fantastic official correspondent and donation solicitor–to our excellent volunteer coordinator–to our awesome “Basket Brigade” assemblers! Also, to those who graciously posted flyers, our wonderful treasurer, many ticket sellers and super “muscles” to move many tables baskets and assemble tents–to the energetic ladies who called the winners–all deserve a huge thanks!!
In addition, we are very grateful for all of the wonderful donations of lovely items and baskets received. A special thanks goes to Laura in the church office for cheerfully donating her talents and, once again, to the Windsors for obtaining the loan of a huge box trailer for our use; it was an enormous asset to our transporting operations.
Many thanks again also to our Nursery School and Thrift Shop for their continued support of this important fundraising event.
~Averelle Smith and Marilyn Hancock, Co-Chairpersons, 2017 Basket Raffle and Silent Auction
Daughters of the King
Motto of the Order
For His sake I am but one, but I am one,
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what wilt thou have me do?
The St. James’ Chapter of the Daughters of the King meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Each Daughter is involved in different ministries within St. James’. They worship regularly, continue to pray for parish members on a rotating schedule and send cards of encouragement to members.
At the current time, the Daughters are reviewing the 12-step National Study Guide in preparation of welcoming new members. They are an extension of Christ’s Kingdom through prayer, service and evangelism.
Contacts: Karen Dulany, Joan Fader, Margaret Neff
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Thrift Shop Needs YOU!
We are in the process of reorganizing our storage space and preparing for our annual children’s holiday bazaar next month. We need help moving and labeling storage bins. Stop by for an hour on Saturday, October 14 at 10:00 am and/or Thursday, October 19 at 11:00 am.
Something New with Spiritual Parenting
We’re taking a new approach to gathering together for spiritual formation as parents this year. Instead of monthly gatherings focusing on different topics, we will be having a book group that meets roughly 3-4 times throughout the year. Our first book will be I Wonder: Engaging a Child’s Curiosity about the Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell. If you are interested in reading this book over the next 4-6 weeks and then meeting up with others to reflect and share insights and wisdom please email Kristin+ (rector@stjamesmtairy) by October 15th. Once we know who’s on board we’ll pick a date and time to meet up – whether that’s over coffee or tea at Starbucks, at a local restaurant for a weekend lunch, or dessert some evening.
Click the book cover to order your copy through Amazon Smile.
A Visit from Bishop Chilton Knudsen
Just a reminder that Bishop Knudsen will be presiding and preaching this Sunday, October 15. As is customary, the loose plate offering will be given to support the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. You may also write a check to St. James and direct it for this purpose.
Please note, we will have one service at 10:30 am followed by a Festive Coffee Hour and Meet and Greet.
Contact Bryant Dulany at 410.596.4227 or wbdulany@hotmail.com to schedule an appointment.
Fall Parish Pot Luck – Sign Up Now!
The sign-up sheet is in the narthex for our Fall Parish Potluck on Sunday, October 29th after the 10:30 service. Put your name next to what you can bring, and indicate if you can help set up or clean up afterward. Plan on feasting and celebrating together the many ways we give back and give forward to our St. James’ family!
Upcoming Events at the Claggett Center
November 12-14, 2017
2017 Chapman Dialogues: Conversations on Faith
Faith and Civility: Beyond the Golden Rule
Learn more and register online
November 17-19, 2017
Couples Retreat
Spend a weekend with you partner and an exploration of enneagram types.
Learn more and register online
January 12-4, 2018
Women’s Retreat
From Strength to Strength: Spiritual Resilience
Information is available here
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2017 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:
| James and Vivian Carden Lynn and Donna Carr Scott and Christine Carstens Amanda Carstens |
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
