Proposed Amendment to the St. James' Parish By-Laws

The St. James' Parish By-Laws need to be amended and will be ratified by parishioners during the Annual Parish Celebration on January 30, 2011. Specifically, two minor changes are required in the Audit Section of Article V-Fiscal Matters. The first modification indicates that "up to" three parishioners may now serve on the Audit Committee. Formerly, a total of three parishioners, not including the Treasurer, served on the Audit Committee. The second change requires the audit be submitted to the Vestry "by September 30th" instead of sixty days following the close of the fiscal year. If you have any questions, pleased contact James Dowell at dowellFarm@Verizon.Net.

2011 Flower Charts

The St. James' Church and St. Mark's Chapel Flower Charts for 2011 are posted in the Church and the Chapel. If you are interested in giving flowers in memory of or in celebration of someone's birthday, please sign your name next to the date that you would like to do this. The cost of the flowers at St. Mark's is $25 per Sunday. Someone will contact you when you sign up. Altar Guild members purchase, arrange, and place flowers on the altar. If you sign up for at St. James' Church, Lillie Barrett, garylillie@aol.com, will contact you in advance of your date. The cost of the flowers at St. James' Church is $50 per Sunday.

St. James' Parish Annual Christmas Caroling, December 19th

The St. James' Parish Annual Christmas Caroling will take place on Sunday, December 19th, at 2 p.m.

Please join us for a fun afternoon of neighborhood caroling. We'll be singing for some of our homebound friends as well.

Please sign up outside Amanda's office. Everyone of every age is welcome!

Lunch with Santa, December 11th

Santa will be coming to St. James' Parish on Saturday, December 11th from 12 Noon to 3 p.m.!

This will be an outreach activity, and we will be inviting less fortunate youngsters from our community to share the gift of generosity and Jesus’ loving presence.

Children ages 3 years through the 5th grade are invited to join us for lunch, games, crafts, and a visit from Santa and his helper who will hand out goody bags to the children of our Parish and gifts for the children attending from the community.

Please sign up outside of Amanda’s office and join us for lots of fun!

Salvation Army Sing-along, December 8th

Get in the spirit of Christmas with a Sing-Along! A potluck dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Sing-Along at 7:30 p.m. in the Church. During the Sing-Along, the toys from the shopping trip on December 5th will be presented to the Salvation Army for distribution to needy children.

Everyone of every age is invited to attend!

What does St. James' mean to you - in 25 words or less

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and today many people's first impression of a church is the church's web site. We need your help in making a good first impression. We are looking to add brief statements from people to various pages on the stjameslothian.com - statements about what being part of the St. James' community means to you.

Please consider taking a few minutes and write a brief note describing a meaningful part of your relationship with the parish; for example:
* Why do you feel more at home or what moves you at a particular service?
* Has there been a particular Christian Ed. class that changed the way you looked at things?
* Has your involvement in a particular St. James' ministry made an impact in your life?

Please e-mail your statement to Rick Downs - stjameslothianweb@gmail.com. Quotations will not be attributed to you by name when they appear on the web site.

Young Families Ministry, Post-Thanksgiving Feast

A Thanksgiving feast Friday, November 26, at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. Please bring your favorite Thanksgiving leftover to share as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our church family. We’ll feast on turkey and all the sides, listen to Christmas carols, and decorate the St. James' Christmas tree with all the kids.

Christmas at Sea

The Women of St James’ Parish are planning to prepare shoeboxes for the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center as we did last year. Our goal for this year is 50 boxes or more. Each box will contain new toiletries, a scarf or hat, and a small Bible. We need your help. We will provide the boxes, and plans are being made to assemble the gifts "assembly line" style with the help of the youth. Donations of toiletries (sealed), postcards of Baltimore or Annapolis, new socks, pens, notepads, playing cards will be appreciated. Monetary donations to cover the cost of the Bibles would also be appreciated. Checks should be made out to St. James' Parish with Women of St. James’ Parish - Seafarers in the memo line. Questions? E-mail Peggy Horn: plantlady04@hughes.net.

Feed the Need: Donate a Turkey!

As the Holiday Season approaches, please make a donation of cash or one or more 10-20 pound frozen turkeys for St. James' Parish Holiday Food Baskets. If you plan to donate turkeys, please sign up on the sheet in the Parish Hall and place your turkeys in the kitchen freezer before Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. The Outreach Committee will coordinate distribution of about 70 Holiday meals on Sat., Nov 20 and again on Sat. Dec. 18. Please contact Linda Rines (Linda.Rines@comcast.net) if you can help between 7 - 11 a.m. on either Saturday. Thanks for supporting St. James' Parish's help for needy families in our local community.

Education for Ministry (EfM) Alumni

EfM Alumni: How do you know when you have done your work well?

We are inviting all Education for Ministry (EfM) alumni to join this year’s EfM group for food and fellowship on Sunday evening, November 14th, when we will be discussing this question as our common lesson. Our group is asking ourselves what we are called to change and how the consequences of our actions will affect our friends, neighbors, families and the world. We want the benefit of your experience - both during EfM and after graduation, as we each choose one calling that seems most dominant in our lives right now and we each make a "journey chart."

We would love to have you join us! Please RSVP to Marjie Mack, and we’ll send you the material we’ll be using for the discussion.

Musicians Wanted for Praise Band

If you play an instrument ... drums, guitar, piano, flute, violin, etc... Don’t be shy! WE WANT YOU! St. James' is forming a Praise Band that will include any and all instruments, any and all ages...

The Praise Band will play on the first Sunday of each month during the 9:00 a.m. service - once we get it going. But first, we need YOU to help make the band, so... if you are interested, please e-mail Liz Rozenbroek -
ejr54@comcast.net or post a note on the St. James' Celebration Choir Facebook page!

Children’s Books Needed for Prison Ministry

Children's Books Needed at the medium security prison in Jessup, for daddies to read to their children and children to read to their daddies every other month. The children get to take the books home; so this is an ongoing need. Please leave gently used books in the box in foyer between buildings. For more info, contact Val Hymes - valhymes@aol.com.

The Celebration II Choir, Now Forming!

The Celebration II Choir, which includes children in grades 1 through 8, is now forming and practicing on Sundays at 11:00 in the Choir Room immediately following Church School. The children will sing each month during the Youth Service. This will be on the first Sunday of every month at the 9:00 a.m. service. Additionally, the children will prepare special music to be sung at the Christmas and Easter worship services. I look forward to working with the Celebration II Choir and hope to see all the kids participate in making a joyful noise! - Liz Rozenbroek, Director

Leadership Workshops - October 31 and November 6

Do you feel called by God to serve in a leadership position in our parish? There are many opportunities to serve! In preparation for our Annual Meeting, which will be held on January 30, 2011, we will be holding two Leadership Workshops. They will be held Sunday, October 31, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. You can attend either one or the other. Anyone who wishes to explore a possible calling to serve either now or in the future as a Vestry Member, Committee Chair, Convention Delegate, or Officer of the Parish is invited to come to one of the workshops. Please let one of the clergy know if you plan to attend or one of the members of the Vestry who will be rotating-off at the Annual Meeting (Richard L. Downs, Jr., Calvin L. Horn III, or Brenda L. White).

Learn to Knit or Crochet - October 18

Want to learn to Knit or Crochet? Jeanie Zseltvay, Co-Chair of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, will be teaching a class on October 18, from 7 – 9 p.m. in the Parish Life Room in the Education Building. Anyone who is interested in learning the basics (and more!) of knitting and/or crocheting is welcome to sign up. There is no fee for the instruction, but you will need to bring your own yarn and knitting needles or crochet hooks. For more information and to sign up for the class, please contact Jeanie - sewgeney@aol.com. Hope to see you there!

Young Families Bible Study - October 12th

All young families/young adults are invited to our monthly bible study. Come enjoy one another’s company while strengthening your relationship with God through His Word. Bible study starts at 7 p.m. and meets at the Assistant Rectory.

Messiah Sing-Along - Sponsors Needed!

We are seeking sponsors for our annual Messiah Sing-Along on Sunday, November 28th. Our sponsors make it possible for all donations collected at that event to be added to our parish-wide Thanksgiving Offering and the Offering collected when the Salvation Army Brass comes to lead us in Christmas Carols in December. Everything that people donate at these events goes entirely to the Salvation Army for their outreach ministries. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor should speak to our Music Director, Michael Ryan - mryansings@verizon.net.

St. James’ Parish Book Club, October 13th at 7:30pm

The St. James’ Parish Book Club will meet on Wednesday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m. (and the 2nd Wednesday of every month). The selection for October will be Sarah's Key, by Tatiana De Rosnay. Meeting locations rotate and are held in the homes of the members. Please join us - both new members and suggestions for books are welcome! For more information, please contact Adrianne Day - adeday13@comcast.net.

Blessing of the Animals – October 3rd at 2:00pm

There will be a "Blessing of the Animals" service on October 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the parish. Everyone and their pets are welcome to attend! Please remember that all pets should be either on a leash or in a carrier.

The custom of honoring and blessing animals originated in the Catholic Church to help remember and honor Saint Francis of Assisi on his feast day of October 4th. Saint Francis (Giovanni Francesco Bernadone, 1181 - 1226), was a Catholic deacon and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. Thought of most often as the patron saint of animals, he is also the patron saint of the environment and of Italy. Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. "All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures."

Atrium Fellowship - October 3rd

All children ages 3 years through 5th grade are invited to our first atrium fellowship of the year! We will meet at the parish hall at 12:30 p.m. Sign up outside of Amanda’s office!

Holy Eucharist with Healing- Every Wednesday at 12:15 at St. James' Church

Who says you can’t go to church on days other than Sunday! This is a small gathering of folks who share prayer requests, support each other as a loving and caring Christian Community, and pray for the needs of the Church, each other, and loved ones. A healing prayer is offered by the clergy following a time of reading, prayer, and an informal and joyful Eucharist. Everyone is welcome!

Outreach Committee Needs Homemade Desserts on 9/21

The Outreach Committee needs homemade desserts for the intermission of the South County Concert Series which takes place on September 21 at 7:30 p.m. We need cake, cookies, cupcakes, brownie squares, pie pieces or anything that is homemade on that date. If you cannot come up to Southern High School, please take the desserts to the church kitchen and we will take them to the concert. All proceeds will go to a good cause in South County.

Safeway Club Card Enrollment

Help to support the Christian Education programs at St. James’ every time you grocery shop! Safeway Stores’ eScrip program will donate up to 3% of all purchases to a designated school or religious organization. This program is free to you, and easy to use: once your are registered, present your Safeway Club Card or enter your phone number on the keypad at checkout when you grocery shop, and a percentage of your purchases will go to support Christian Education programming at St. James’. To designate St. James’ as your Safeway Club Card recipient:

• Go to www.escrip.com
• Click on Sign Up—It’s Free!
• Enter your Safeway club card information
• Enter group ID number 1036858

If you have designated another organization in the past, and would like to change your Safeway Club Card recipient to St. James’ Episcopal Church:

• Go to www.escrip.com
• Click on Sign Up—It’s Free!
• Click on my eScrip
• Enter your club card number and password
• Enter group ID number 1036858
• If you have forgotten your password, or never created one, you can submit the change of designation via the email box provided.

If you have any questions about the program or the registration process, please contact Tricia Hurlbutt - psh21035@yahoo.com.

Our Sunday Fall Schedule will begin on September 12

• 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist – St. Mark's Chapel
• 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Church School – St. James' Church
• 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist – St. James' Church

Reserve October 23 for Heavenly Trash Sale

Please save all your wonderful treasures and we will sell them. All proceeds will go to the South County residents in need of help. This Outreach Committee sale will be combined with the Women of St. James' Parish which should make this the largest and best sale ever.

Adult Forum - Exploring the Spiritual Life

The Adult Forum will resume meeting on September 12, continuing with its theme Exploring the Spiritual Life. We will begin with discussion of the popular book The Shack, by Wm Paul Young, of which more than seven million copies are in print. The Adult Forum is a seminar, with time allowed for free discussion, so registration will be limited to fourteen people on a first come, first served basis. We will meet in the Library from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM on Sundays. Discussions will be facilitated by Canon John Huntington and Mr. Dean Lewis. If you wish to attend the Adult Forum, please contact Canon Huntington by e-mail at johnhdr@comcast.net.

Women of St. James' Parish meeting, August 29th

The Women of St. James' Parish will meet on August 29th after the 10:00 a.m. service at approximately 11:30 a.m. The focus of the meeting will be the plans for the Fall Festival which is scheduled for October 2. We will also be taking a look at our calendar for the year. Please plan to attend. We need and appreciate your input and support.

Acolyte Camp, September 18 ** NEW DATE **

Acolyte Camp is scheduled for September 18th! If you are interested in becoming an acolyte or if you are already an acolyte, you should join us! We will meet at 9 on Saturday for training, fellowship, and worship. All acolytes involved in the training will take a trip to Six Flags for even more fellowship that afternoon! Cost is $25.00; sign up outside of Amanda’s office today!

Library Committee Trip to Williamsburg, December 1-3, 2010

The Library Committee is sponsoring a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, on December 1-3, 2010. The travel package includes:

• Motorcoach transportation
• Berkely Plantation
• Admission to Colonial Williamsburg
• 2 nights lodging at the Crown Plaza
• 2 breakfasts and dinners
• Much much more

Cost is $390.00 per person (double occupancy). For more information and reservations please contact Lillie Barrett - GaryLillie@aol.com

New Mission & Vision Statements Approved

After several months of study and deliberation, the Vestry unanimously approved revised Mission and Vision statements for St. James' Parish at the Vestry meeting on July 19, 2010; you can find the statements on the 'About Us' page on the Parish website.

The Vestry would like to express their appreciation to Tricia Hurlbutt who, at their request, reviewed the current statements, made recommendations for revisions, and led the Vestry in discussions that resulted in statements that better reflect the goals and intentions of the St. James' Parish community.

2010 Women of Faith Conference, August 27-28

This year’s Women of Faith Conference will be held at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., August 27-28. The conference is held from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday (with a 3 ½ hour break for dinner) and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.

In the past, we have carpooled to and from each day, although somefolks may prefer to stay over in D.C. The cost is $99 total for both days and is reduced to $89 if there is a group of ten or more. This is a wonderful way to express your faith in the fellowship of between 12,000 and 16,000 women who come from near and far away and to share this experience with other women of St. James’ Parish.

If you are interested in attending this year’s conference, please contact Susan Whitehead at swhitehead84@comcast.net for more information.

Youth Group Camping Trip, August 5-7

Our annual Youth Group Camping Trip is scheduled for August 5-7! Mark your calendars now! Anyone in grades 6-12 is invited to join us for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and service. We’ll hike, swim, worship, and help a local community in rural Pennsylvania. Cost is $50 per person. Sign up outside of Amanda’s office today!

A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St. James' Church

"A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St. James' Church" is now available on-line. Hannah Kelly took photographs and wrote copy for the booklet, which establishes a path around the Church campus in Lothian with thirteen "stops" along the way with interesting facts about St. James'. Hopefully this will give visitors (and parishioners) a chance to connect with the history and culture of St. James' – from its founding in 1692 to the present.

Diocesan Day at Camden Yards

Orioles vs. Nationals
Sunday, June 27, 1:35 p.m.

Join friends, family and fellow Episcopalians from across the diocese for an afternoon of Oriole's baseball with specially-priced tickets for just $6 each.

For tickets together with the group from St. James’ Parish, contact Marjie Mack by June 16th at mmack3108@comcast.net.

StJamesLothian.com

Do you have an opinion about the St. James' Parish web site? Is there some new feature or content organization that you would like to see?

The Communications Committee is conducting its semi-annual review and update of the St. James' Parish web site, and we want to know what you think! Please send your ideas to Rick Downs, Parish Webmaster, at stjameslothianweb@gmail.com. Thanks!

Sunday Brunch on June 13 after the 10:00 a.m. service

The Women of St. James' Parish invite you to come for Sunday Brunch on June 13 after the 10:00 a.m. service. We are preparing the brunch as a thank you for your help and support during the year. The menu will include breakfast casseroles, fruit, Danish, coffee, tea, and punch. Please join us!

St. James' Parish Book Club June Meeting

The St. James’ Parish Book Club is meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. On June 9th, they will meet at Adrianne Day’s house. The book will be "Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier. Contact: Adrianne Day, adeday13@comcast.net.

Making Communion Wafers, June 9th at 9 a.m.

Communion Wafers will be made on Wednesday, June 9, at 9 a.m. in the kitchen of the parish hall. We would love to have anyone interested come help. If you can spare a couple of hours, just show up.

Summer Choir & "Note Reading for Dummies"

Our Summer Choir is open to all of our church members and guests and is a good way to try out choir singing. Just show up at 9 a.m. in the church for practice and you're in the choir for that Sunday's 10 a.m. Service. No Robes, please!

Michael Ryan will offer "Note Reading for Dummies" in July if there is sufficient interest. Two sessions per week for five weeks and all work to be done in class. A number of people have taken this class in the past and found it valuable to their enjoyment of music and participation in our choirs. Please contact mryansings@verizon.net if interested.

Annual Parish Picnic, June 6

Our Summer church picnic will be held on June 6, following the 10 a.m. service. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided, and we are asking all attendees to please bring a side dish to share. This promises to be a fun-filled event featuring great food, games, and fellowship. Our youth have had a very successful year in the Church School, and a picnic is a great way to wrap up the year with celebration. This is also an excellent way for all parishioners to get to know and welcome our newcomers. Newcomers, we are extending a very special invitation for your attendance. Please mark your calendar to attend this special parish-wide event.

Recognition Sunday, May 23 at 9 a.m.

Please join us Sunday, May 23 at the 9 a.m. service as we recognize all graduating seniors and those graduating from the EfM class. Not only will we recognize seniors, but senior Julie Crawford will also be preaching.

ID Theft Seminar, May 17, 7 pm

On Monday, May 17th, Craig Langrall, Esquire, of the law firm of Davis, Upton, Palumbo & Keiffer, LLC, will present a seminar on Identity Theft from 7 – 8 p.m. in the parish hall. This free presentation titled, Identity Theft & Fraud: How Can You Protect Personal Information and What Happens if Your Personal Identity is Stolen is open to all interested parishioners and their friends. The presentation will be immediately followed by the monthly Vestry meeting from 8 – 9:30 p.m. Please remember that everyone is always welcome at Vestry meetings. Hope to see you on the 17th.

St. James' "Bread Run" on Thursday Mornings

St James' Outreach Committee has extended our "Bread Run" to include Thursdays. We drive to the Edgewater Safeway and Food Lion at 8 a.m., pick up their bread donations and deliver them to the SCAN Food Bank at St. James’ by 9 a.m. If you are able to help us with this ministry one Thursday morning per month, please contact Kim Parker at manydogs@verizon.net.

Vacation Bible School, June 21st-25th

Come join us at Hero Headquarters as we discover some unnamed heroes in the Bible and how we can be heroes, too! Not only will we meet heroes, we will also do power projects and action games!

Registration forms can be found on the St. James' website and outside of Amanda's office.

For more information or to volunteer, e-mail Amanda at amanda@stjameslothian.com.

(How to Grow) Healthy Relationships for Teens & Parents, May 7

With facilitator Wes Wubbenhorst, Diocesan Youth Missioner

Supper at 6 p.m. - Separate Programs begin at 6:30 p.m.

Parents: How to support your teen during the dating years
Teens: Having / growing healthy relationships

Register by emailing:
Wes Wubbenhorst wwubbenhorst@ang-md.org or
Amanda Knouse Amanda@stjameslothian.com

Spring Luncheon & Wedding Gown Fashion Show, May 8

The Library Committee is sponsoring a Spring Luncheon & Wedding Gown Fashion Show to be held on Saturday, May 8th at 12:30 p.m. in the parish hall. This exciting event will feature wedding dresses worn by women of St. James’ Parish throughout the years.

Luncheon tickets are $25 and will be on sale at the Coffee Hours. The luncheon menu will include chicken salad, cranberry jello salad, deviled eggs, dessert and more. Wine will be available for sale. There will be door prizes as well. You will see wedding gowns, mother of the bride outfits, flower girl and ring bearer outfits from the past and present modeled by young members from St. James' Parish. The oldest gown dates from 1878.

A new wedding gown priced at $1,000 will be given away; the classic satin off-white dress with a V-neck and train and a satin crown are decorated with beads and pearls. Tickets at $10 for a drawing will be sold.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the St. James’ Parish Capital Campaign. Please join us!

Raymond George Kostanecki Scholarship

Scholarship Applications for the $2,000 Raymond George Kostanecki Scholarship Award are available in the parish office. The deadline for submission is May 31. and requires not only the application but a letter saying why the scholarship is wanted and needed for tuition, two letters of recommendation (other than relatives and clergy), a list of activities and work in and outside of school. The award was established by a $25,000 gift given by Dorothy W. Kostanecki in loving memory of her husband. For information, call the parish office at 410-867-2838.

Tennis Shoe Sunday on April 18

We are having a TENNIS SHOE SUNDAY on April 18. We want everyone to bring cash and old tennis shoes to donate. The money will go to buy tennis shoes for the children in El Hogar, Honduras and the old shoes to help with Ghanaian relief.

Spring Cropfest, April 11, 9 am - 5 pm

Do you have lots of photos lying around? Get them into albums in one day! The Library Committee at St. James’ Parish is hosting a Cropfest next Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Cost is $25 per person and pre-registration is required. Hot lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided. We’ll have Door Prize Drawings Hourly. Prizes include wine, scrapping supplies, flowers and lots of other special items. Questions? Please contact Taylor Milbradt

Goals from the St. James' Vestry retreat on 3/21

On Sunday, March 21, the St. James’ Parish Vestry held a retreat (original one canceled due to snow). The purpose of the retreat was to establish goals for the year 2010. There were 6 goals established:

1. Establish Lay Visitation Program.
2. Kick-off Capital Campaign.
3. Develop Youth Facilities Plan.
4. Increase Net Membership by 40+ members.
5. Increase average pledge by $3 per week.
6. Increase percentage of pledging units from 53% to 65%.

The Vestry would appreciate your comments or suggestions. Anyone in the Parish is encouraged to attend any Vestry meeting.

Our Maundy Thursday Soup and Bread Supper, April 1

Our Maundy Thursday soup and bread supper will be held this Thursday with fellowship at 6 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m. Each person is asked to make a free-will offering for their soup and bread supper. The funds collected will go toward the various outreach programs which were presented each Wednesday night during Lent. Our service will follow in St. James’ Church beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Making Palm Crosses, March 27

Palm crosses are being made beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, in the parish kitchen. Please come out and help. Making of the crosses is easy to learn.

Our Fifth Lenten Soup and Bread Supper, March 24

Our fifth Lenten soup and bread supper will be held Wednesday, March 24, with fellowship at 6 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m. Our program for the evening will be presented by Mr. Joe Emmerich of the Chillum Youth Project. Each person is asked to make a free will offering for their soup and bread supper. The funds collected will go toward the various outreach programs which will be presented each Wednesday night.

Palm Sunday Fried Chicken Dinner

A Palm Sunday Fried Chicken Dinner will be hosted by the Women of St. James’ Parish on March 28. Dinners will be ready from 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $15. You may eat in or carryout.

Our Fouth Lenten Soup and Bread Supper, March 17

Our fourth Lenten soup and bread supper will be held Wednesday, March 17, with fellowship at 6 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m. Our program for the evening will be presented by Becky Miller, Community Outreach Manager of the Light House Shelter. Each person is asked to make a free will offering for their soup and bread supper. The funds collected will go toward the various outreach programs which will be presented each Wednesday night.

Dutch Mill Bulbs Fundraiser through March 28

The Women of St. James’ Parish are once again selling the popular Dutch Mill Bulbs as a fundraiser. These summer and fall blooming bulbs sell for $6.00 per package (even, no tax or shipping fees). Because the Parish will receive $3.00 from each sale, you can claim that amount for each package as a tax deduction. How nice it will be to "see" your tax donation actually blooming in beauty this summer!

Catalogues for the bulbs are now available and the deadline for placing orders, with full payment, is March 28th. Please give your order to either Wendy Crawford or Peggy Horn. You may also place it in the offering plate during one of the Sunday services.

Our Third Lenten Soup and Bread Supper, March 10

Our third Lenten soup and bread supper will be held Wednesday, March 10, with fellowship at 6 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m. Our program for the evening will be presented by the Department of Social Services. Mrs. Christine Poulsen, Program Manager for Community Initiatives, will be the speaker. Each person is asked to make a free will offering for their soup and bread supper. The funds collected will go toward the various outreach programs which will be presented each Wednesday night.

Calling All Helping Hands: Mission Trip to West Virginia

In an effort to determine interest for a mission trip to Beard’s Fork, West Virginia again this coming summer, please contact Susan Whitehead at swhitehead84@comcast.net if you think you might wish to participate. The trip is tentatively planned for one of the last two weeks in July. The only skill required is a desire to help. Teenagers are welcome, if accompanied by a parent. The director of the Southern Appalachian Labor School (SALS) has indicated St. James’ Parish has been the most welcome and dedicated group of volunteers they have had. Please help maintain that tradition by joining the mission trip to Appalachia. The experience not only benefits those who are less fortunate, but also benefits the volunteers who have an opportunity to share faith and fellowship with fellow parishioners.

St. James’ Parish Book Club March Meeting

The St. James’ Parish Book Club is meeting again. It will be meeting in March at Cindy Carrier’s house, and they will be reading “Three Cups of Tea.” Contact: Adrianne Day - adeday13@comcast.net.

Our Second Lenten Soup and Bread Supper, March 3

Our second Lenten soup and bread supper will be held on Wednesday, March 3, with fellowship at 6 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m. Our program for the evening is “Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope.” Each person is asked to make a free will offering for their soup and bread supper. The funds collected will go toward the various outreach programs which will be presented each Wednesday night.

Young Families Ministry – Dinner and Fellowship, February 26

Attention all young families! We will be having our monthly dinner and fellowship on Friday, February 26th beginning at 7 p.m. at Amanda and John’s home. With all the snow that we’ve had it’s a great time to find a babysitter and come enjoy an evening with friends! Please email Amanda at Amanda@stjameslothian.com if you can attend! See you there!

Our First Lenten Soup and Bread Supper, February 24

Our first Lenten soup and bread supper will be held Wednesday, February 24, with fellowship at 6 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m. Our clergy will introduce us to our Lenten program. Each person is asked to make a free will offering for their soup and bread supper. The funds collected will go toward the various outreach programs which will be presented each Wednesday night.

Library Committee Spring Luncheon and Wedding Gown Fashion Show

The Library Committee is sponsoring a Spring Luncheon and Wedding Gown Fashion Show. Please contact Lillie Barrett 301-855-7829 if you have a wedding gown, mother of the bride outfit, flower girl and ring bearer outfits from the past, present, or vintage ones.

All services for tomorrow are canceled.

All services at St. James' Parish and St. Mark's chapel are canceled for tomorrow, February 7. If you know of anyone who does not have internet access please pass this information on to them! Thanks so much and have a safe weekend!

Services Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning's service at St. Mark's chapel has been canceled. All Sunday School classes are canceled as well. Please know that the walkways and parking lot at St. James' will not begin to be shoveled until after the snow stops.

Souper Bowl Sunday will be postponed until February 21st. Please do not attempt to travel on hazardous roadways. Be safe and stay warm. See you all next week!

Souper Bowl Sunday, February 7

Please join young people around the country as they demonstrate God's love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. It’s a simple, yet significant act of caring for others. Since the Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990, more than $60 million has gone to help people in need. Please support the youth of our church in this effort to "love our neighbors" by dropping your donation in the soup pot on February 7th. Thanks!

Confirmation Classes Starting Soon

Confirmation classes will begin at the end of January. If you are interested in being confirmed this year, please e-mail Amanda at Amanda@stjameslothian.com. You must be at least 14 years of age. We will be using the curriculum, "I Will, With God’s Help" by Mary Lee Wile.

The Women of St. James' Parish Need Your Recipes

The Women of St. James' Parish are preparing a cookbook of soups and desserts, many of which were served at our Lenten Suppers. We are planning to have the cookbook ready for sale during the Lenten season and also at our Spring Dinner. If your family has a favorite soup or dessert recipe that you’d like to share, please send your recipes to Susanne Smith - shsmith38@aol.com. We are particularly in need of delicious desserts. We need to have the recipes ASAP in order to have the cookbook printed in time for the Lenten season. Thank you.

St. James' Parish Annual Meeting on January 24 at 1 p.m.

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 24 at 1 p.m. The following members of the Vestry are rotating off: Donald J. Collins, JoEllen L. Kelly, and Linda L. Rines. We will be voting on proposed Parish by-law changes. Copies of the current and proposed by-laws may be found in the back of both the church and chapel.

Special Coffee Hour, January 10, following the 9 am Service

On January 10th following the 9 am Service there will be a special coffee hour to honor Priscilla Hardesty. The "bare-bones budget" for this New Year does not allow us to have a Parish Secretary. Priscilla has agreed to volunteer one day a week to assist wherever possible. We are indebted to her for her many years of service in this capacity since 1980. If you are willing to bring some "goodies," please contact Peggy Horn.