Women’s Retreat I “M” a Child of God Jan 15-17, 2016 God calls each of us by name, commissions us, equips us, and entrusts us to do God’s work in every place we find ourselves. Come discover what Mary, Martha, and Miriam can teach us about leadership, service and redeeming a broken world as beloved daughters…
The metal Advent wreath form is reusable and so we request that you please return it for use again next year! Please take off all greens, ribbons, and candles and return your form to the marked crate in the narthex at church. Thanks!
For the next couple of seasons of the church year we will be adding a liturgical feature to the beginning of our 10:30 service, an introit. Introits have a long history, and you can read more about them by clicking on the link below. In the most basic sense, though, introits are simply a piece of music sung at the beginning of…
As we start 2016 “Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you have always wanted to do but could not find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you do not think you can keep.…
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS 9:30-10:15 a.m. lower level Preschool through high school HAPPY NEW YEAR! We had a wonderful Christmas pageant with many Sunday School participants from preschool through high school, and parent helpers as well. We made a joyful noise with music and song. Thank you to Yvette Allen for (once again!) organizing the pageant and to all who made the beautiful…
Beginning in January, on the third Sunday of every month during Sunday School (9:30-10:15), I will lead a spiritual parenting group for parents and grandparents. If you’re anything like me this parenting thing can throw you for a loop at times, especially when it comes to the hard questions our kids ask about life and faith and the world we live in. …
My dear fellow Episcopalians, We are blessed by God to be moving through these holy seasons. Advent is our time to prepare for the ultimate mystery of the Incarnation. How is God-becoming-human going to change our lives this year? Christmas Day begins a 12 day season of giving. We give in gratitude for many things. It’s also…
Last Sunday in my sermon I asked how many of you are like me, and your house is never cleaner than five minutes before guest arrive. In both services there was a murmur of agreement and knowing nods. Although I wasn’t thinking about it when I wrote the sermon, in reflection it brings to mind one of my favorite poems by Mary…
Some of you remarked last Sunday on the change in liturgy for the season of Advent, as well as the format for our bulletin. The newly formed Liturgy Team met last month to plan ahead for Advent and Christmas, looking over potential Eucharistic Prayers and seasonal music selections. Going with the previously established pattern of changing these for each liturgical season (the…
Dear St. James’ Parish Family, We have entered my favorite season of the church year, Advent. It is a time in which we can build in pauses and deep breaths as the world around us spins faster and faster. Advent is a season of hope and expectation, of reflection and preparation. It points us toward Bethlehem and the…