Lunch with Santa!, December 8

Santa will be coming to St. James' Parish on Saturday, December 8 from Noon to 2:00 PM! Parish children ages 1 – 11 years old, are invited to join us for lunch, games, crafts, and a visit from Santa and his helper who will hand out a surprise to the children attending. This activity is a chance to reach out to our community and those who are less fortunate.

Please sign up on the Youth Bulletin Board. For additional information, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com.

Workshop: History of St. James' Parish POSTPONED

The Perspectives on Congregational Life workshops focusing on the History of St. James' Parish originally scheduled for December 1 and 2 has been postponed until January. We will post new dates for the workshop here and in the weekly bulletin when they become available.

Hear Ye Hear Ye - Library Trip to Byers' Choice

The Library Committee is sponsoring a day trip to Byers' Choice, Chalfont, Pennsylvania on December 11. We will be leaving St. James' at 7:00 AM and arriving at Byers' around 10:30 AM. You will have approximately 2 hours at Byers'. We will leave for lunch at the Cock n' Bull at Peddlers Village at 12:30 PM. After lunch, you will have free time to tour or shop at Peddlers Village. We will leave for home at 5:00 PM, arriving around 8 PM. Cost is $120 which includes bus, lunch, and gratuities. For reservations, please contact Lillie Barrett at garylillie502@gmail.com.

Workshop: History of St. James' Parish, December 1 and December 2

We will take an opportunity to explore the History of St. James' Parish, reflecting on the parish history, as experienced by different people entering at different points in their personal and our corporate lifetime. This workshop will focus more heavily on the lived experience of the members of the congregation than on specific events, although those too are very important and will be captured on a large scale! Saturday's session will start at 9 AM and be done by noon; Sunday's session will start at 2 PM and be done by 5 PM.

2018 Thanksgiving Food Baskets, THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who donated time and treasure to help make this year's Thanksgiving holiday basket ministry a success. We were able to provide dinners to 75 families!

Wreaths Across America at St. James' Parish

This is the third year St. James' Parish will participate in the Wreaths Across America program. Worcester Wreath Company donates seven wreaths to every location, one for each branch of the military, and for POW/MIAs. However, the hope is that every veteran receives one, and for that we are accepting donations. We were able to get every veteran buried in the St. James' Parish churchyard a wreath the last two years and are hoping we can continue that tradition.

St. James' Parish is in need of 115 wreaths to place on gravesites in the churchyard. If you are interested in sponsoring a wreath, please place a check or cash in any collection plate and be sure to mark it for "Wreaths Across America." Donation amounts are: $15 (for 1 wreath); $30 (2 wreaths); $75 (5 wreaths); or $150 (10 wreaths). All donations are tax deductible, and the deadline to donate is December 2.

Please also join us for a wreath ceremony on December 16th after the 11 AM Service. For additional information or to volunteer to help, please contact Ashley at Artemis914@aol.com.

Thanksgiving Day Service

The Thanksgiving Day Eucharist will take place in St. James' Church on November 22, at 10 AM. The offering received from the Thanksgiving Day envelopes will be presented to the Salvation Army at the Carol Sing on December 6 to be used to purchase toys and gifts for needy children. Please join us on Thanksgiving morning!

Workshop: Images of Ministry, November 17 and November 18

We will explore a way of thinking about the different expressions of ministry that every church does in varying degrees, and we will create a graphic depiction of the Images of Ministry that are prevalent at St James' in the early Winter of 2018. Saturday's session will start at 9 AM and be done by noon; Sunday's session will start at 2 PM and be done by 5 PM.

Workshop: New Member Ministry, November 10 and November 11

Every congregation wants to experience the benefits of growth, but Evangelism, or New Member Ministry can sometimes be a bit challenging for many Episcopalians. This workshop will offer some helpful perspectives on the process (yes, there is one!). It will also give us an opportunity to see how we think St James' adds up, and what we can do about it. Saturday's session will start at 9 AM and be done by noon; Sunday's session will start at 2 PM and be done by 5 PM.

Salvation Army Stockings

Salvation Army Stockings are now available. These stockings benefit local area children who are in need. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in a child's life - and we need YOUR help! You can pick up stockings from the box in the foyer between the Parish Hall and the Education Building. Please leave your filled stockings there along with any extra items (placed in a grocery bag). Please do not include any fruit or candy and do not wrap the items (they will just have to be unwrapped before they can be given to the children). And, don't forget to label your stocking (or bag!) so we know for whom it is intended (boy, age 6-8 years; girl, age 10-12 years, etc.).

Please remember that stockings must be returned to the church no later than Sunday, December 2. For additional information, please contact Nola Meyers at noreme@verizon.net.