New Worship Schedule Begins in January 2019

Beginning on January 6, 2019, St. James' Parish will hold three services instead of four – 8:00 AM at St. Mark's Chapel; 10:00 AM at St. James' Church; and 5:30 PM at St. James' Church.

With the departure of Associate Rector Anne Nicholson+ at the end of 2018, the logistical challenges of meeting the current four service schedule with one priest would be prohibitive. After serious consultation with many parishioners, the Vestry determined that combining the 9:00 and 11:00 AM services would best serve the Parish at this time. Also starting on January 6, our Church School will begin classes at 9:30 AM. Classes will end by 10:30 AM, and students will join their families in the 10:00 AM service at that time.

Farewell Reception for the Rev. Anne Nicholson, December 30

St. James' Parish will be hosting a reception to say our fond farewell to the Rev. Anne Nicholson on Sunday December 30 after the combined 10:00 AM service. Please join us, and as you are able, please sign up for food items using the link below and have them in the parish kitchen by 8:30 AM on Sunday. There is also a link included to sign up to help out in the kitchen. Thank you! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4da8a72ca6ff2-special

Greening The Church, December 23

Please join us on Sunday, December 23 at 12:30 PM 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.

Blue Christmas Eucharist, December 20

Parish Christmas Caroling!, December 16

The St. James' Parish Chancel & Celebration Choirs invite you to join them for Christmas Caroling at Greenstreet Gardens on Sunday, December 16th at 1:00 PM. For more information, please contact Parish Music Director, Marie Harrison at stringsandivory@gmail.com.

Children's Christmas Pageant

This year's Children's Christmas Pageant will be performed at the 3:00 PM Children's Service in St. James' Church on Christmas Eve! Rehearsals for the traditional Nativity Pageant will be held during Sunday Church School with the final rehearsal on Sunday, December 23. There are both speaking and non-speaking roles. For more information, please contact Laura Miller at lmbirdwatcher@live.com. All children are welcome to participate in this fun and meaningful event!

2018 Christmas Dinners, December 22

St. James' Parish and Friendship United Methodist Church will be providing approximately 75 Christmas dinners for needy families in our community on Saturday, December 22 from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Donations of frozen turkeys (10-12 pounds) are needed as well as cash contributions to purchase the other food items for the baskets. Frozen turkeys can be placed in the St. James’ Parish freezers no later than Wednesday, December 19 so we will know how many additional will need to be purchased. For additional information, or to volunteer, please contact Cindy Carrier at bccarrier@comcast.net.

Sing Out for Others!, Salvation Army Carol Sing, December 9

Please bring the children and join with the Salvation Army's Brass Ensemble Sunday, December 9 (note the NEW date) to help less fortunate families and enjoy singing Christmas carols. The Carol Sing will be held at 3:00 PM in St. James' Church. The carols are accompanied by the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble and Patricia Tyndall on the organ.

But the focus of the night is the youth group's presentation of the toys and a gift of money to the officers of the Salvation Army. The money for the gifts comes from the Thanksgiving offering, the free-will offering at the Messiah Sing-Along, and from the sponsors who cover all the expenses of both events. You can help by making a financial donation for purchase of the toys (drop a check off at the Parish Office), or you can donate toys yourself! Just bring them to the Ticknor Parish Hall by December 7. Join us for fun, fellowship, and lots of Christmas caroling to benefit the important work of the Salvation Army!

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!