Friday, October 3, 2008
United Thank Offering (UTO) to Meet on October 29, 2008
**The United Thank Offering (UTO) Ingathering will be held at St. Luke’s, Eastport on October 29 beginning with registration at 10:30 a.m. and the Eucharist is at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Caroline Chisum at (410) 257-2208 is our UTO representative, and if you need a blue box or have questions, please call her. You need to empty your blue box, count the proceeds, and then you make your check out to St. James’ Parish and indicate in the memo part of the check that it is for the UTO. Your donations need to be in BY October 26.
The Stewardship Committee Need Your Input!
We Need You, Please Join Us – The Stewardship Committee needs your input. Short hours/excellent working environment and friendly co-workers. Apply within. For more information email Dwayne at benzcare@aol.com, or call 410-257-7009.
Coffee Hour Update!
Coffee Hour – We are going to try something a little different this year concerning the coffee hours so that any newcomers who attend either service will have an opportunity for fellowship with other parishioners. Therefore, we will continue the joint coffee hour (9:00 and 11:00 services) from 10:00 until about 10:45, and have a smaller coffee hour after the 11:00 service, also.
So that both groups would share in the responsibility of the coffee hours, we would like to have 2 people from each service (a total of 4) sign up to provide the refreshments. The people from the 9:00 service would be responsible for setting up and for a part of the clean up at 10:45. The people from the 11:00 service would need to be there a little before 10:00 to add their items to the table and help with the early clean up, reserving a small amount for a brief get-together after the 11:00 service. They would be responsible for finishing the cleanup after this final fellowship time. We hope that enough people will sign up so that no one will need to provide refreshments more than 2 or 3 times between now and when the summer services begin in June.
Please contact Brooke Steuart (9:00) or Peggy Horn (11:00) to sign up or if you have questions. See you at the coffee hour! Brooke Steuart 301-980-3920, bsteuart@yahoo.com; Peggy Horn 410-867-7499, plantlady04@hughes.net. Parish Life Committee, Linda Stewart, Chair
So that both groups would share in the responsibility of the coffee hours, we would like to have 2 people from each service (a total of 4) sign up to provide the refreshments. The people from the 9:00 service would be responsible for setting up and for a part of the clean up at 10:45. The people from the 11:00 service would need to be there a little before 10:00 to add their items to the table and help with the early clean up, reserving a small amount for a brief get-together after the 11:00 service. They would be responsible for finishing the cleanup after this final fellowship time. We hope that enough people will sign up so that no one will need to provide refreshments more than 2 or 3 times between now and when the summer services begin in June.
Please contact Brooke Steuart (9:00) or Peggy Horn (11:00) to sign up or if you have questions. See you at the coffee hour! Brooke Steuart 301-980-3920, bsteuart@yahoo.com; Peggy Horn 410-867-7499, plantlady04@hughes.net. Parish Life Committee, Linda Stewart, Chair
Women of St. James’ Parish to Meet on October 15, 2008
The next meeting of the Women of St. James’ Parish will be held on Wednesday, October 15, at 1 p.m. Please plan to attend as we will be reviewing the success of the Fall Dinner and will be making plans for the events coming up during the holidays.
Discerning Our Call Together: Town Hall Conversations with Bishop Sutton
We are joined in Christ, as one body …
This fall, Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton will hold several town hall conversations with the people of the diocese. Members of the community are invited to join the bishop in a conversation about faith and the role of the Church in society today. He will also urge those attending to consider what God may be calling us to do as faithful followers of Jesus and as members of the Diocese of Maryland. The Town Hall Conversations will begin with Bishop Sutton leading a session of quiet, contemplative prayer. Light refreshments will be served.
In our area the meeting will be Wednesday, October 8, at All Saints’ Church, Sunderland, 6:30 p.m.
This fall, Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton will hold several town hall conversations with the people of the diocese. Members of the community are invited to join the bishop in a conversation about faith and the role of the Church in society today. He will also urge those attending to consider what God may be calling us to do as faithful followers of Jesus and as members of the Diocese of Maryland. The Town Hall Conversations will begin with Bishop Sutton leading a session of quiet, contemplative prayer. Light refreshments will be served.
In our area the meeting will be Wednesday, October 8, at All Saints’ Church, Sunderland, 6:30 p.m.
CPAs and PAs Needed!
If you are a CPA or PA, and would like to volunteer your time and talent, the Audit Committee could use your expertise. If interested, please contact Don Collins at 410-867-4826.
Raffle at Annual Spring Crab Cake and Ham Dinner!
Remember to see one of the several Women of St. James’ Parish who is selling raffle tickets for the Hand-Quilted Christmas Tree Skirt. First Place winner will own a beautiful Hand-Quilted Tree Skirt, donated by Barbara Howard. Second Place winner will receive four tickets to our Annual Spring Crab Cake and Ham Dinner.
Tickets are only $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. No more than 1,000 tickets will be sold. Drawing will be held on November 16 at the 10 a.m. Coffee Hour. A photo of the quilt is posted on the information board in the hallway of the Parish Hall.
Tickets are only $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. No more than 1,000 tickets will be sold. Drawing will be held on November 16 at the 10 a.m. Coffee Hour. A photo of the quilt is posted on the information board in the hallway of the Parish Hall.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Stewardship Annual Pledge Campaign 2009
St. James' Parish Stewardship Drive 2009
Every ministry in which we serve and everything we do here at St. James' Parish is possible because of the financial support of our generous parishioners. Thank You! The Stewardship Committee requests your prayers and support as our 2009 Stewardship Campaign operates through October 24th, 2008.
Your pledge is an affirmation of your relationship to God. It demonstrates your gratitude for all the blessings in your life, and your acknowledgement of the reality that all we have and all that we experience are God's gifts to us. Your support for the ministries of our Parish returns a portion of God's gracious gifts so that the work we are called to do can effectively be accomplished, and so that our individual relationships with God can nurture and grow.
Every ministry in which we serve and everything we do here at St. James' Parish is possible because of the financial support of our generous parishioners. Thank You! The Stewardship Committee requests your prayers and support as our 2009 Stewardship Campaign operates through October 24th, 2008.
Your pledge is an affirmation of your relationship to God. It demonstrates your gratitude for all the blessings in your life, and your acknowledgement of the reality that all we have and all that we experience are God's gifts to us. Your support for the ministries of our Parish returns a portion of God's gracious gifts so that the work we are called to do can effectively be accomplished, and so that our individual relationships with God can nurture and grow.
To allow our Finance Committee to more accurately prepare our 2009 operating budget, we request that you PLEASE submit your 2009 Pledge no later than November 1, 2008. Our heartfelt Thanks goes to everyone who has already submitted their 2009 Pledge.
“Stewardship is
everything we do after we say we believe.”
everything we do after we say we believe.”
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sunday's Christian Education Kick-Off Schedule, Sunday September 7, 2008
We have a lot to do in one hour (10 to 11) so please read carefully:
Adult Christian Education Forum: At 10:30, we will present an adult CE forum in the Parish Hall. All scheduled adult classroom leaders will speak briefly, present their material, and answer questions. Please take the time to attend this forum. If you attend at St. Mark's, please come down to the Parish Hall for coffee hour and attend the forum. If you attend the 11 o'clock service, please come early to attend.
Parents (Atrium Levels through Middle School): At the conclusion of the 9 o'clock service, please bring your children to the Christian Education building lobby to register them for Sunday School. Then join us in the Parish Hall at 10:30 for an Adult Christian Education Forum (see above).
Ages 3 - Kindergarten (Atrium Level 1- upper level Education Building)
Grades 1, 2, 3 (Atrium Level 2 - upper level)
Grades 4, 5 ,6 (Atrium Level 3 - upper level)
Grades 7 & 8 (Middle School room - lower level)
High School: All high school students should report to the High School room on the ground floor of the Christian Ed building. Juniors and seniors will be leaving this class to form their new YAC class toward the middle of the hour. ALL high school students report to the High School room today.
Grades 9 & 10 (High School room - lower level)
Grades 11 & 12 (will meet regularly at the Assistant Rector's home EXCEPT FOR TODAY--report to the high school room)
Adult Christian Education Forum: At 10:30, we will present an adult CE forum in the Parish Hall. All scheduled adult classroom leaders will speak briefly, present their material, and answer questions. Please take the time to attend this forum. If you attend at St. Mark's, please come down to the Parish Hall for coffee hour and attend the forum. If you attend the 11 o'clock service, please come early to attend.
Parents (Atrium Levels through Middle School): At the conclusion of the 9 o'clock service, please bring your children to the Christian Education building lobby to register them for Sunday School. Then join us in the Parish Hall at 10:30 for an Adult Christian Education Forum (see above).
Ages 3 - Kindergarten (Atrium Level 1- upper level Education Building)
Grades 1, 2, 3 (Atrium Level 2 - upper level)
Grades 4, 5 ,6 (Atrium Level 3 - upper level)
Grades 7 & 8 (Middle School room - lower level)
High School: All high school students should report to the High School room on the ground floor of the Christian Ed building. Juniors and seniors will be leaving this class to form their new YAC class toward the middle of the hour. ALL high school students report to the High School room today.
Grades 9 & 10 (High School room - lower level)
Grades 11 & 12 (will meet regularly at the Assistant Rector's home EXCEPT FOR TODAY--report to the high school room)
Friday, August 8, 2008
Get Connected With Middle School Youth!
Have you ever considered teaching in our Christian Education program, but were afraid of the time commitment and the training necessary? If you answered yes, there is a place in our program for you!
This year, we are going to kick-off the new school year with an alternative program for our Middle School class which may be taught on a rotational basis, using a contemporary lectionary-based curriculum. Two adults will share teaching responsibilities for four to six consecutive Sundays. Preparation is reduced because all curricular materials are accessible via the internet and are designed to be taught using this method.
We welcome all adults to share their faith with the youth of our Parish by volunteering for a four to six week teaching rotation.
It is also a great way to get connected with more families and make new friends in the Parish.
For more information, please contact Tricia Hurlbutt at psh21035@yahoo.com.
This year, we are going to kick-off the new school year with an alternative program for our Middle School class which may be taught on a rotational basis, using a contemporary lectionary-based curriculum. Two adults will share teaching responsibilities for four to six consecutive Sundays. Preparation is reduced because all curricular materials are accessible via the internet and are designed to be taught using this method.
We welcome all adults to share their faith with the youth of our Parish by volunteering for a four to six week teaching rotation.
It is also a great way to get connected with more families and make new friends in the Parish.
For more information, please contact Tricia Hurlbutt at psh21035@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Christian Formation Strategic Planning Team
At its planning retreat in January 2008, the Vestry, Clergy and Officers of St. James’ Parish committed their efforts to twenty initiatives which they rated from most important to least important. The first initiative, to hire an assistant rector, was accomplished in swift order. The second initiative, to conduct a review of all youth programs and develop a strategic plan for improvement, is now viewed as the most important initiative before the Vestry, the Christian Education and Formation Committee, and the Parish at large.
In the spring of 2008, the Christian Education and Formation Committee (CEC) was tasked by the Vestry to develop a strategic plan for all education programs under the aegis of the CEC, including youth group and adult classes. The CEC members considered whether they should prepare the plan themselves, or commission a team to independently develop a strategic forecast.
The Douglas Ellmore, Renee Wilson and Steve Dorsey from the CEC reviewed various approaches to preparing strategic plans and visited St. John's Norwood Parish in Chevy Chase, Maryland which had recently developed a strategic plan for their parish, see http://www.stjohnsnorwood.org/2007_Strategic_Plan.pdf. Although St. John’s focus was broader, the plan itself was identified as a model for understanding the purpose and focus of strategic planning. The meeting helped clarify how the strategic planning process could be used by the CEC at St. James’.
In April 2008, the Christian Education Committee recommended to the Vestry that Douglas Ellmore, Sr. chair an independent team to develop the CEC strategic plan. Mr. Ellmore, who has a professional background in strategic planning, felt a strong calling toward this project. Because he is not a Sunday school teacher but a parent leader on the CEC, it was hoped the team would seem empowered and independent from any specific agenda. The CEC hoped to get individuals who were not currently involved with Christian Education at the Parish, as well as those who are or have been in the past, in order to gather an independent Parish-wide view on the current programs. It was hoped they would be committed to analyzing what was in place and have the skills to make recommendations as to a path forward.
Douglas Ellmore put out a call to the Parish to form an independent team to solicit Parish input to develop the strategic plan based on all input. The scope of the plan was to address Christian Education of all ages, as well as youth group and young adult formation activities. The timeline outlined called for the group to be formalized by June, with a formal draft document, including recommendations by Thanksgiving 2008. The Vestry approved the Committee’s recommendation.
The members of the team are:
• Douglas Ellmore, Sr., Chair
• Rev. Amanda Finkenbinder, Asst. Rector
• Claire and George Pickart
• JoEllen Kelly
• Tricia Hurlbutt
• Diocesan Deacon Carl Rehling
The Christian Formation Strategic Planning Team began meeting Monday evenings in July. They have openly discussed a number of issues, the first was to suggest some short term suggestions to the Christian Education Committee. They are now working on plans for a fall set of focus groups to gather input from the Parish Community at large.
If you are interested in being a part of this team or would like to provide any feedback or input on current education programs under the aegis of the CEC, including youth group and adult classes and activities, please contact Douglas Ellmore via email at doug@ellmore.net.
In the spring of 2008, the Christian Education and Formation Committee (CEC) was tasked by the Vestry to develop a strategic plan for all education programs under the aegis of the CEC, including youth group and adult classes. The CEC members considered whether they should prepare the plan themselves, or commission a team to independently develop a strategic forecast.
The Douglas Ellmore, Renee Wilson and Steve Dorsey from the CEC reviewed various approaches to preparing strategic plans and visited St. John's Norwood Parish in Chevy Chase, Maryland which had recently developed a strategic plan for their parish, see http://www.stjohnsnorwood.org/2007_Strategic_Plan.pdf. Although St. John’s focus was broader, the plan itself was identified as a model for understanding the purpose and focus of strategic planning. The meeting helped clarify how the strategic planning process could be used by the CEC at St. James’.
In April 2008, the Christian Education Committee recommended to the Vestry that Douglas Ellmore, Sr. chair an independent team to develop the CEC strategic plan. Mr. Ellmore, who has a professional background in strategic planning, felt a strong calling toward this project. Because he is not a Sunday school teacher but a parent leader on the CEC, it was hoped the team would seem empowered and independent from any specific agenda. The CEC hoped to get individuals who were not currently involved with Christian Education at the Parish, as well as those who are or have been in the past, in order to gather an independent Parish-wide view on the current programs. It was hoped they would be committed to analyzing what was in place and have the skills to make recommendations as to a path forward.
Douglas Ellmore put out a call to the Parish to form an independent team to solicit Parish input to develop the strategic plan based on all input. The scope of the plan was to address Christian Education of all ages, as well as youth group and young adult formation activities. The timeline outlined called for the group to be formalized by June, with a formal draft document, including recommendations by Thanksgiving 2008. The Vestry approved the Committee’s recommendation.
The members of the team are:
• Douglas Ellmore, Sr., Chair
• Rev. Amanda Finkenbinder, Asst. Rector
• Claire and George Pickart
• JoEllen Kelly
• Tricia Hurlbutt
• Diocesan Deacon Carl Rehling
The Christian Formation Strategic Planning Team began meeting Monday evenings in July. They have openly discussed a number of issues, the first was to suggest some short term suggestions to the Christian Education Committee. They are now working on plans for a fall set of focus groups to gather input from the Parish Community at large.
If you are interested in being a part of this team or would like to provide any feedback or input on current education programs under the aegis of the CEC, including youth group and adult classes and activities, please contact Douglas Ellmore via email at doug@ellmore.net.
Summer at Claggett
Aug 3 – 7 Special Challenge $360 Adults
Aug 22 – 24 Family Weekend $375 Intergenerational
Registration forms available in office.
Aug 22 – 24 Family Weekend $375 Intergenerational
Registration forms available in office.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Shell Updates Due August 15!
Shell Information, needs to be sent to cpickart@verizon.net by August 15.
PLEASE NOTE: The next “Shell” will be for the month of September.
PLEASE NOTE: The next “Shell” will be for the month of September.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Scouting God and Me Program
Our parish is blessed by sponsoring Cub Scout Pack 840 and Boy Scout Troop 840!
Our rector met with seven Cub Scouts on the nights of June 3, 10, 17, and 24 for an hour each session. This was to complete the “God and Me” program. The four sessions were entitled: God Created Me, Jesus is God’s Gift to Me, I Can Talk With God, and Because God Cares for Me, I Can Care for Others.
The Scouts’ names are as follows:
Paul Balsley
George Carney
Griffin Hynes
Jacob Smith
Austin Tibbs
Grady Willson
Tony Zabala
Also, we thank the adult leaders who accompanied them at each session.
Our rector met with seven Cub Scouts on the nights of June 3, 10, 17, and 24 for an hour each session. This was to complete the “God and Me” program. The four sessions were entitled: God Created Me, Jesus is God’s Gift to Me, I Can Talk With God, and Because God Cares for Me, I Can Care for Others.
The Scouts’ names are as follows:
Paul Balsley
George Carney
Griffin Hynes
Jacob Smith
Austin Tibbs
Grady Willson
Tony Zabala
Also, we thank the adult leaders who accompanied them at each session.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Vacation Bible School - July 7-11, 2008
Friendship TREK Vacation Bible School is scheduled from July 7 - 11, 2008 at St. James'. Children from the community ages 4–11 are invited to attend our Friendship TREK program from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm--with snacks provided. Kids discover new friends and build a powerful relationship with their Forever Friend, Jesus Christ!
Volunteer form: http://www.stjameslothian.com/public-files/Volunteer-signup.pdf
Please email forms to Sharon McGlaughlin at slm5987@yahoo.com or drop them off at the Parish Office.
Your prayers are appreciated for our Friendship Trek VBS. Please pray God will send us children to hear about Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
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