Stain Glass Window Update

The first window is completed and will be reinstalled the week of January 23rd. At that time, they will remove the 2 windows at the altar (St. James and St. Paul) but they will not return until after Easter.

Wafer Making, January 12

Wafer making will be held in the kitchen on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 9:00 am. New wafers for the New Year 2023! All are welcome to come and help in this ministry. Please contact Kim Parker at manydogs@verizon.net for more information.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Resumes! January 11th

    Join us Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. in the Library for lots of fun and fellowship as we restart this wonderful ministry! Both experienced and beginners are welcome!
    Regular weekly meetings will be held in the new year on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. in the Library beginning on January 11th. Everyone is welcome to enjoy fellowship as you knit or crochet these shawls covered in your love and prayers.
    Please do not be intimidated if you think you cannot knit or crochet! Just join us, and we will be happy to help you learn the basics – and then we can then move on to more intricate patterns if anyone chooses to. We will have very easy patterns to follow, and several shawls as examples for you to look over. The supplies you will need are very few... just knitting needles or crochet hooks and three skeins of yarn in the color of your choice. The size of the needles/hooks will determine the size of shawl you want to make. The normal size to begin with knitting needles would be a "9" and crochet hook would be a "J." The yarn type is really up to you. A good choice to begin with is Lion Brand Homespun (it is a little chunky and hides any little errors). And, the most important advice we can give you is for you to give yourself permission to make errors, because we all do!
    For more information about the meetings, or if you would like a shawl (for yourself or to give to someone else), please contact Jeanie at jeanielescallett@gmail.com.

Schedule Change Notes

Morning Prayer, Tuesday Bible Study, and Tuesday Afternoon Prayer Service are all on hold until late January 2023. Also, there will be no 8:00AM service at St. Mark's on January 1st.

Wedding Watch Event, December 30

You are cordially invited to attend the wedding (via Zoom) of Joseph Lenow and Rhody Mastin, on Friday, December 30 at 4:30pm in the evening in Ticknor Parish Hall. A covered dish dinner to follow the service. Please bring your favorite holiday entree, salad, or dessert. Any questions please contact Lillie Barrett at garylillie502@gmail.com.

Don't Forget Your Pledges!

As we prepare our final budget for next year, we're finding that our number of pledges from across the parish is not where we're used to being at this time of the year. If you plan to support the ministries of our church next year, please remember to submit your pledges as soon as you're able (and remember that even if you're set up for a monthly recurring payment, we need a new pledge for 2023)! Without these commitments, we're not able to plan ahead for our ministries in the coming year—and we've got some great things planned. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our parish staff, and remember that you're able to adjust your pledge at any point in the coming year if your ability to contribute changes. Thanks for your support!

Outreach Committee - Thank You

The Outreach Committee wishes to thank everyone who generously gave their time and treasure for the Christmas dinner distribution last Saturday so that others would have a blessed holiday. We had a great turn out of volunteers and were able to feed over 260 people including 90 children.

Greening the Church, December 22nd at 10 AM

Please join us and help decorate St. James’ Church for Christmas! We need everyone’s help, and you’ll have lots of fun! For additional information, please contact Lillie Barrett at garylillie502@gmail.com.

Brunch with St. Nick, December 10

This year, we once again welcome St. Nick back to our parish for Brunch with St. Nick! On Saturday, December 10 at 10AM, we'll be gathering to hear about the real Santa Claus and celebrate this festive season with crafts, games, and of course food! For more information, contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com.

Sponsors For The Messiah Sing

The annual Messiah Sing is fast approaching on December 18 at 4:00pm! In anticipation of this beloved St. James tradition, we are looking for individuals, families, and businesses who are interested in sponsoring the event to help defray the costs of compensating the incredible musicians who will be joining us for this performance. Are you interested in sponsoring the event or know someone who is? Please email Justin at justin.caithaml@icloud.com for more information! Thank you in advance for your support of music ministries here at St. James!

Advent Wreath Making and Christmas Tree, November 27

Get your house ready for Christmas! After our 10AM service November 27, we will have Advent Wreath-making kits and greens available in Ticknor Hall, so that children and adults alike can bring the tradition of the Advent wreath home as we prepare for the Nativity of our Lord. We will also be setting up and decorating the great tree in our parish hall. Some Christmas cookies and refreshments will be on hand—join us for this festive celebration!

Thanksgiving Basket Distribution - Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who generously gave their time and treasure for the Thanksgiving dinner distribution last Saturday so that others would have a blessed holiday. Your generosity allowed us to feed over 260 people including 98 children. In addition, the very generous donation of gift cards by the Women of St. James' ensured that each child could be provided a Christmas gift.

Thanksgiving Day Service, 10:00AM

St. James' Parish will have a Thanksgiving Day service on Thursday, November 24 at 10:00am; bring wine or any other food or drinks for a Thanksgiving blessing!

New Women's Advent Study, Saturday Mornings on Zoom

     In the ancient world, something extraordinary happened when God's people gathered to worship him. It was more than just singing; it was time to fully embody praise to God for who he is and what he had done. In the Book of Psalms, there are seven Hebrew words that are translated into the English word "praise," each of which represents a different aspect of what it means to truly praise God.
     In this four-session video Bible study, based on the book Holy Roar, by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead, pastor Darren Whitehead shares insights on how to deepen your practice of praise by uncovering the true meaning behind each of these Hebrew words, and Chris Tomlin shares how those insights take shape in the stories behind many of his worship songs.
     Please join Deacon Michelle Doran and Brenda Boucher as they facilitate this Advent Study based on the music of Chris Tomlin. The first session will be Saturday, November 26 at 8:30am via Zoom. The next meetings will be Saturday, 3, 10 and 17 of December. For more information, and the Zoom link please contact Brenda at totheskies@msn.com. Please see the related attachment.

Parish Leadership Workshop, Sunday, November 20

Let's say this up top: this isn't just a meeting about being on the Vestry! There are so many ways we can contribute, and so much work to do in testifying to the coming of God's Kingdom and serving the poor. If you want to get a better sense of what our church's ministries are and where you might fit in, this meeting is for you! If you have an idea for a ministry that we might undertake together, this meeting is for you! (And yes, if you're interested in serving on the Vestry, this meeting is for you!) We'll be meeting during our Adult Forum time, after the 10:00am service on November 20. See you there!