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…
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…
Go in peace to love and serve God and neighbor Last week in Part 1: Being Fed, I wrote about the phrase “behold what you are; become of what you receive” which is said as part of the invitation to receive communion every week. This week I’d like to look at the words that send us out into the world at the…
Behold what you are; become what you receive. Every week, after we’ve said the Great Amen and consecrated the bread and the wine, these are the words I say when we lift the bread and wine and extend the invitation that all who seek Christ are welcome at God’s table. It is an adaptation of a phrase from a sermon by St.…
The new 2017 sign-up sheet has been posted in the narthex which allows you to pick any Sunday during the year. This will allow you to write your name on the calendar now instead of hoping to remember later. We just ask that you complete an Altar Flower Donation Form (also in the narthex) and drop it…
On Sunday, February 19th at 7:00 pm you are invited to gather at St. James’ for a service of healing and hope for those who have experienced loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, placing a child for adoption, having a failed adoption placement, or inability to conceive. This liturgy is designed to offer a space for grieving and healing through prayer, hearing God’s word, anointing, and the…
Please plan to stay – or arrive early – this Sunday to attend our Annual Meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Two essential pieces of work we will do are electing new Vestry members and announcing our next Senior Warden, and reviewing the 2016 financials and accepting the 2017 budget. In addition there will be presentations on upcoming projects at St.…
Our new Parish Administrator, Laura Davis, began the week before Christmas and trained with Christine Burnett, who retired at the end of December. This is Laura’s first week flying solo and we’re delighted to have her on board. Stop by and say hi! Laura comes to us after 14 years of ministry at The Bishops…
This Sunday at the beginning of both services we will bless a new Paschal candle stand. The current stand, a lovely gift from the Wolcott family years ago, has, through normal wear and use, suffered some damage. The main pole has developed a tilt which makes it unstable when the tall Paschal candle is being used. We were able to use it…
It is the policy of St. James’ Nursery School to allow church members to register their children for new spots in our Two, Preschool Three, and Prekindergarten Four classes before registration is open to the public. Completed applications with registration fees will be accepted in the Nursery School Office beginning at 8:00 AM on Monday, February 6. Please be aware that there…