Amazing Grays - Helping Hands From a Distance!

  

While we are all staying at home, the Amazing Grays Senior Lunch and Conversation Group has been serving as a “helping hands from a distance” resource for those seniors who are at home and need a little extra help or encouragement.

If you (or a senior you know) is in need of a little help during this time, or if you can help others by making phone calls, sending birthday or thinking of you cards, running errands, or providing some technical help for accessing worship services, please let us know! Other ideas are also in the works, and we can always use more!

To volunteer, please contact Michelle Doran+ at michellesdoran@gmail.com.

2020 Reading Camp - We Need YOUR Help!

     It is time to assemble our team for the 2020 Reading Camp! Camp will be held August 3-7, at St. James’'Parish. We need several kinds of volunteers. To run the instructional groups, we need teachers current or retired. We also need adults who were not teachers, and we need several teenagers.
     There is no expense to the students who attend camp. However, the camp costs about $8,000, which is about $200 per student. We exist only on donations! We appreciate donations of any amount to the general camp fund, and you can also sponsor a child for $200. Checks should be written to St. James' Parish with "Reading Camp donation" noted on the memo line, and you will receive a receipt for your donation.
     For more information, please contact, Paula Davis at southcounty.md.readingcamp@gmail.com.

Lenten Series - Sacraments of the Gospel and the Church, March 10

We devote the entire evening to the Sacrament of Baptism, looking at both the familiar parts of the service itself and some aspects that usually elude our attention. The schedule (approximately!) is to gather at 6 PM for some refreshments, followed by an array of soups at 6:30 PM, and the program to begin at approximately 7:15 PM, so that we can be done and cleaned up by 8:30.

Easter Eggs To Benefit Outreach Ministries

Once again, Barbara Howard's beautiful hand-painted wooden Easter Eggs will be for sale during the Coffee Hour beginning Sunday, March 1st! Proceeds from these beautiful eggs, which are offered for only $10 each, support the many important ministries of the St. James’ Parish Outreach Committee. Through your generous support, we hope to top last year's contribution! For additional information, please contact Barbara Howard at kbhoward@comcast.net.

Lenten Series - Sacraments of the Gospel and the Church, March 3

We begin the series with an overview of the history, theology and practice of Sacraments and sacramental living as such, reflecting a bit on the general and underlying aspects. This session will provide a bit of a framework that should be useful as we work through the rest of the series. The schedule (approximately!) is to gather at 6 PM for some refreshments, followed by an array of soups at 6:30 PM, and the program to begin at approximately 7:15 PM, so that we can be done and cleaned up by 8:30.

Youth Fellowship Annual Ice-Skating Outing!

Atrium and Middle School age youth are invited to join us for ice skating on Sunday, March 8th! Parental supervision is required for children in Pre-K through 5th grade, and a parent will need to accompany their child unless other arrangements have been made. Youth in 6th through 12th grade must complete a Youth Fellowship Registration Form and a signed permission slip (available in the office). For additional information, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com. Join us for lots of fun!!

Nursery Begins Sunday, March 1st!

Beginning on Sunday, March 1st, the St. James' Parish nursery will be available to care for newborns to three-year-olds during the 10 AM worship service! We are working hard to ensure a secure, nurturing environment where each child will see, hear, and feel the love of Jesus Christ and where parents can feel confident their child will receive the highest quality of care and ministry.

The nursery is located on the top floor of the Education Building (2nd door on the right). For additional information, or to volunteer to assist, please contact Nursery Coordinator Kelly Rosenberry at krosenberry@alanmaloufmd.com.

Women's Lenten Book Study

Michelle Verdon and Brenda Boucher will lead a Lenten book study focusing on Simon Peter. Over six weeks of Lent we will read Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple by Adam Hamilton. We will meet from 8:30-10:00 a.m. starting February 29th through April 4th. We will read Chapter One: The Call of the Fisherman for the first meeting.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 25

On February 25th, St. James' Parish Shrove Tuesday PANCAKE SUPPER: Fellowship at 6:00 PM and Dinner 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Cost: Donations support the Christian Formation Committee. Hosted by the St. James' Youth. All youth and youth alumni are invited to help us make this year's Pancake Supper the best ever. We have an absolute blast preparing the decorations, food and being together to make this wonderful dinner available to our Parish! For more information, or to volunteer to help, contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com. Please join us!

Community Assistance January Report

The Community Assistance Team disbursed $4,404 in January to prevent evictions and restore electricity for twelve families. We appreciate the support and generosity of our Parishioners to help our neighbors in need.

Souper Bowl Sunday, 2/2

St. James' Parish Youth will be standing at the doors after each service to collect monetary donations in large soup bowls. The donations will be used to purchase diapers, formula and wipes for Joy Reigns Baby Pantry. Thank you in advance for your donations!

St. James' 2020 "Class Picture"

St. James' Parish Parishioner Group Photo will be taken during the St. James' Annual Celebration on January 26 at 11:15AM. All are welcome!

Inclement Weather - When do we cancel events?

It is the policy of St. James' Parish to ensure the safety of all during dangerous weather conditions. As has been our practice, we will continue to cancel events whenever the public school system (aacps.org) does so. In the event Sunday services must be canceled, you will receive a parish email. If you're not already on the email list, please contact Janet Bruce at janetbruce@stjameslothian.com to be added. Thanks, and have a safe winter!

Making Communion Wafers, January 15

Come join us as we make Communion Wafers on Wednesday, January 15 at 6:30PM in the Ticknor Hall Kitchen. All are welcome! Read about our Honey Wheat Communion Bread here: stjameslothian.com/bread.

Community Assistance December Report

In December, the Community Assistance Team disbursed $2,901.37 to nine families in need of our assistance for housing, electric bills and transportation. December is a difficult time for many of our clients and between the help the Community Assistance Team was able to provide, and the Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner the Outreach Committee organized, we were able to provide a little Holiday Cheer for many of them. Thank you again to our Parishioners for your support for these important ministries.