Weird Animals VBS Photo Album

You can view photos from the Weird Animals VBS here: goo.gl/QHkQJz.

Summer Note Reading Course

Anyone seriously interested in the Annual Note Reading Course should contact St. James' Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net. Class begins in mid July for 5 weeks, 2 evenings per week, all work is done in class, $10 for workbook.

Sing with the Summer Choir!

Summer Choir begins on June 22nd at the 10 AM service. Just show up in church at 9 AM for rehearsal, and you pass the audition! Everyone is invited to participate - either on a regular or a one-time basis. It's a great way to try out the choir and see if it's a good fit for you in the fall season... and, it's fun! Everyone is welcome to participate!

Visitation by Bishop Sutton & Confirmation, June 15th

Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, Bishop of Maryland, will visit St. James' Parish on June 15th at the 8 AM and 10 AM services. During the 10 AM Eucharist the Bishop will confirm the following: Carol Leeann Dinges, Cody James Dorsey, Bryan Arthur Howl, Martha Grace Claire Howl, Caroline Emily Miller, Kenneth Jon Ranson, and Bonnie Bunnell Taylor. Also, Joanne Claire Healey Howl will reaffirm her baptismal vows.

Community Assistance Fund

In May the St. James' Community Assistance Fund assisted eleven families in the amount of $2,336.52. The assistance was given for eviction prevention, electric, propane and an unusual one for emergency dental care to prevent someone from losing their job. Often medical issues put people on the edge into financial crisis and we saw several of these in the month of May. The Community Assistance team appreciates and thanks you for your support for our neighbors in need.

Donate a Tree in the New Cemetery

The Cemetery Committee plans to plant 15 Natchez White Crape Myrtles along the road of the new cemetery and 3 Southern Magnolias on the cemetery's southern border. Please consider donating a tree in memorium. Each 10-12 foot Crape Myrtle costs $525 and each 12-14 foot Magnolia costs $995. Your donation includes a Corian dedication plaque as well as planting and care for the tree.

For additional information or to donate a tree, please contact Jim Cheston at cemetery@stjameslothian.com.

Christian Formation - A Year in Review 2013-2014

Please take a moment and read Dawn's+ summary of a very full year of Christian Formation at St. James': stjameslothianyouth.blogspot.com/2014/06/christian-formation-year-in-review.html

Children’s Breakfast Club - Volunteers Needed!

Outreach is looking for volunteers to help local area children receive breakfast this summer. We are working with Mt. Zion and other area churches to help pack brown bag breakfasts for school aged children living in Lyon's Creek and Patuxent Mobile Park. We are asking for 1 hour of your time to help pack on Wednesday evenings. Ideally, 3 to 4 people would meet at a house on Mt. Zion's property (on Bayard Road near the circle off of Rt. 2) to assemble the pre-packaged food. The program serves approximately 100 children per day. If you can help on any of the eight Wednesdays listed below, please contact Nola Meyers at noreme@verizon.net or Shay Hall at 410-507-1165. For additional information, contact Nola or Shay, or check the Outreach bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

June 26,
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30,
August 6, 13

Breakfast Club is also looking for new or gently used children's books to pass along to the children receiving the meals. Feel free to place a book or two in the paper bag located in the foyer between the parish hall and education building. We welcome all hands!

Earn for St. James' when you shop at Amazon

Earn for St. James' Christian Formation through our current eScrip program when you shop at Amazon. If you follow the Amazon link on this post, or on the stjameslothian.com footer, or bookmark and follow the URL goo.gl/lEhsh7, then St. James' earns a percentage of whatever you purchase at Amazon.

Parish Picnic, Pentecost Sunday, June 8th

The Vestry of St. James' Parish invites you to join them on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th, to celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church! Regarded as the start of the church's mission to the world, Pentecost occurs on the Sunday 50 days after Easter and is the festival when Christians celebrate the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

A special 10 AM combined service will be held followed by a potluck picnic on the church grounds. Bring your lawn chairs and a main or side dish to share, and be prepared for a great time! And, remember to wear something red! The Vestry will provide beverages and the birthday cake! There will be games, music, and wonderful fellowship.

For additional information or to volunteer to help, please call Edlu Thom-Harper at 443-550-3109.

No 5:30 PM Service on May 18

There will not be a 5:30 PM service on May 18th due to the Christian Formation Field Trip to the Franciscan Monastery.

Save the Date - Parish Picnic, June 8th

The Vestry of St. James' Parish invites you to join them on Sunday, June 8, to celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church. Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the Sunday 50 days after Easter. Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Christian Church, and the start of the church's mission to the world. We will have a special celebration at the 10 AM combined service followed by a potluck picnic on the church grounds. Bring your lawn chairs and a main or side dish to share and be prepared for a great time! There will be games, music, and wonderful fellowship! The Vestry will provide beverages and the birthday cake! Everyone is invited! Please call Edlu Thom-Harper at 443-550-3109 if you have any questions or would like to help with the planning.

Dummies Dig Down "3D", starting May 6th

After a breathtaking 23 week overview of the Bible following "Bible for Dummies" a keen group of 16 have signed up to continue to dig a little deeper. So we will kick off at 7 PM, Tuesday, May 6th in the Music Room and go for an hour. We are reading in more detail through the Gospel of Mark, using William Barclay's, The Gospel of Mark, The New Daily Study Bible. We hope to supplement that with good discussion, fresh insight, maps, timelines and charts to make the first Gospel written come alive. For more details, contact Nan or Dean Lewis at nanwlewis@gmail.com.

Community Assistance Fund

In April the Community Assistance Fund assisted seven families in the amount of $1,324.82. In addition, we helped two families through the South County Community Energy Assistance Fund in the amount of $1,287.55. This is the joint fund supported by five south county churches including St. James'. The assistance was for eviction prevention and BGE turn-off notices. Currently, Claire Pickart, Paula Davis, Jerrie Bailey, Janet Bruce and Edlu Thom-Harper are part of the Community Assistance Team. If you would like to volunteer as a substitute for summer vacations, please let one of us know and we will include you in the training. We require two people to meet with the clients to evaluate their need for assistance. The Community Assistance Team appreciates your support to help our neighbors in need.

Clothing Ministry Donations - Summer Clothing

Please remember that clean, gently used SUMMER clothes and shoes are needed for the St. James' Parish clothing ministry. Items can be dropped off downstairs in the Christian Education Building. For more information, please contact Taylor Milbradt at tayfm@aol.com. Thanks!