Parish News (Page 52)

Praying with Stations of the Cross

This year our Sunday School kids and families are creating a set of Stations of the Cross will be hung around the church in the next week.  The practice of praying the “stations” grew out of the early church practice of walking the Via Dolorosa, or Way of the Cross, in Jerusalem, as a way of remembering the final footsteps of Christ. …

Spring Youth Retreats

Visit youth.episcopalmaryland.org for more information and registration forms. Happening #10 March 31 – April 2 (grades 9-12) Friday at 7:00 –  Sunday at 3:00 PM Cost: $85 Deadline March 27 Happening is a national program designed, staffed, and run by Episcopal youth! This weekend will deepen your relationship with Jesus and connections with those on…

DYI Tabernacling

Tabernacling is the practice of setting aside and creating sacred space in your home or office.  Do you have such a space already?  I have a few different ones in various places, but below is a picture of the little altar I made on my desk at church.  If you don’t have one, I encourage you to try it out!  Whether it’s…

Current Mt Airy Net Needs

Mt Airy NET sends their thanks to all of us at St James for our generous donations to their food pantry.  It helps more than you know. Items that are currently needed are:  canned meat (tuna and chicken), personal care items such as shampoo and soap, toilet paper and paper towels, canned fruit, cereal and cake and brownie mix.  Great buys are…

By reading and meditating on God’s holy Word

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. These words are from the Invitation to the Observance of a holy Lent in the Ash Wednesday service.  Usually, and for good reason, we focus on penitence,…

Homework

Last Sunday in my sermon I gave some homework – and a few folks have followed up with me either to share their thoughts or ask me for the assignment again!  Part of what I shared in the sermon was a reflection on the Vestry retreat last weekend and our belief it’s time to begin the work of discerning our core values…

Deep into the Night ~ Lenten Series & Soup Lunch

Every year at the Easter Vigil we begin by lighting the new fire, gradually moving from darkness to light, ending with the celebration of the first Eucharist of Easter.  But before we let ring our alleluias, we gather in candlelight to tell our sacred stories, remembering the arc of salvation beginning with the creation story. This year for our Lenten series, we…

Keeping a Holy Lent

Next week we will gather to feast on Shrove Tuesday, closing the night by burning last years’ palms to make the ashes we will use to mark our mortality the following evening on Ash Wednesday, which will mark our entrance into the holy season of Lent. Lent is a time when we are invited into self-examination, repentance, and works of mercy.  It…