Vacation Bible School - Operation Overboard, June 25-29

Get ready for Operation Overboard, our VBS program being held June 25 – 29, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. We will be daring the children to go deep with God using the ocean as a place to explore. The sign-up sheet will be in the Parish Hall on the first bulletin board on the left-hand side of the hallway. There is no charge for attending VBS. Volunteers are needed; please contact Sharon McGlaughlin if interested in helping.

The Episcopal Diocese Day at Camden Yards

Join us for the 4th Annual Episcopal Diocese Day at Camden Yards! Members of The Episcopal Church will participate in an onfield ceremony, perform the National Anthem and cheer the O's to victory. SATURDAY, JUNE 23rd 7:15 p.m. - Tickets are $6 each in the Upper Reserve. Contact Marjie Mack to reserve your seats with the St. James' group.

Parish Picnic, June 3rd

The Christian Formation Committee is sponsoring a parish wide picnic on Sunday, June 3rd. It will be held from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. to allow all to attend. There will be food, fun, fellowship, and games for children of all ages.

Tuition Assistance for Claggett Camps

The Christian Formation Committee will offer $50 in tuition assistance to all youth members of St James’ Parish who plan on attending summer camp at Claggett Center in 2012. Camp for those who have completed Grades 2-4 will run from June 15-18; completed Grades 3-5 from June 15-20; completed Grades 6-8 from July 8-13, and High School June 24-29. For further information including registration forms, visit www.bishopclaggett.org. For information or questions about the tuition assistance, please contact Steve Dorsey or Diana Doswell.

St. James' Parish Annual Brunch, June 10th

The Annual Brunch will be held on Sunday, June 10, in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 a.m. service. June 10th is the first Sunday in the Summer Schedule. It is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a wonderful brunch and share in fellowship. It is hosted by the Women of St. James' Parish.

Graduate Sunday, June 3rd

Sunday, June 3rd, will be the last Sunday for our three services before the summer schedule begins. During the 9:00 a.m. service we will recognize all those who will be graduating from high school or college. PLEASE call the Parish Office (410-867-2838), or e-mail secretary@stjameslothian.com to let the office know the graduates' full names. We will present each person with a Prayer Book or Bible depending on what the recipient would prefer.

Calling All Gardeners!

We need your help to spruce up the Assistant Rector's yard before Sunday, May 20. We have a volunteer to spread mulch so we need to clean up the gardens and do any plantings before the mulch is spread. If you have perennials to share, please plant them whenever you are able. Please contact Linda Rines if you are able to help and she will provide a list of sample work to be done.

Celebrate Mother's Day and support Sunday School programs!

Mother/Daughter Makeovers and Pampering Session with Mary Kay, Saturday, May 12, 3:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. All proceeds will benefit St. James' Sunday School. Participants must RSVP to Mary Hoffman or Tammie Neal. If you do not have a daughter, you are welcome to borrow one or join us anyway!

Diocesan Convention, May 4th and 5th

The Diocesan Convention will be held at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn this Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5. At the upcoming Diocesan Convention nine resolutions will be voted upon. They may be viewed on the web at www.ang-md.org/convention_2012/pre-convention-journal.pdf. Should any parishioners have thoughts or comments on any of these resolutions, please talk to our delegates, Marjie Mack or Charlie Wolf, our alternate, Patti Sachs, our any of our clergy.

Spring Ministries Fair - April 22nd

As part of the Year of Personal Commitment, the Vestry is hosting a Ministries Fair on April 22, 2012 in the Parish Hall during Coffee Hour following the 10 a.m. service. Each of the parish committees will have representatives available to highlight the wide variety of parish ministries and activities and obtain input from the congregation. We hope YOU will join us in learning all the different ways you can be involved with St. James' Parish.

Baltimore Aquarium trip for St. James' Youth Groups - DATE CHANGE to May 6th

The St. James' youth groups' aquarium trip that has was scheduled for April 15th has been moved to May 6th. The trip is open for all youth of St. James' at a cost of $10 per child. The Christian Formation Committee will be covering the balance of the admission. Parents are also welcomed (and encouraged) however will be responsible for covering their own admission cost. We have reserved a school bus for the trip to transport the children and, if room allows, also the parents. Our plan is to meet at the hall at 12:00 for pizza and board the bus at 12:30. We will return to the church at approximately 6:00. If interested or for more information, please contact Norma Dorsey by April 22nd.

Adult Forum: The Jesus I Never Knew, starting April 29th

Adult Forum will begin studying the book, The Jesus I Never Knew, by Philip Yancey, on Sunday, 10am, April 29th. Come to the Library and join in the discussion which promises to add insight into your understanding of the person Jesus. Also, on April 15th, Dr. John Huntington will join us to present his comments on "Physical Science and Christian Faith", based on a presentation he made to students at Johns Hopkins University in March.

Dawn Campbell's Ordination - April 15th

Dawn A. Campbell, who will be our Assistant Rector beginning June 1, will be ordained a Deacon on Sunday, April 15, at 4:00 p.m. in St. Anne's Church, Annapolis. We are developing a list of members who would like to go by bus to the ordination. We will leave promptly at 3:00 p.m. from our parking lot. If interested, please contact the Rector.

Ministry Fair - Sunday, April 22nd

The St. James' Parish Vestry will be hosting a Ministries Fair on Sunday, April 22nd after the 10 a.m. service in the Parish Hall during the Coffee Hour (the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services will be combined). Each St. James' program and organization will have a display that offers information and handouts about their purpose, activities and goals. If you coordinate one of these groups, please plan to have your display and materials in place before 10 a.m. and someone available to answer questions during the event. If your group is not included on the list below and you would like to participate, or if you need additional information, please contact Scott Stasny, Bill Lodder, or Jim Brown.

Please join us for fellowship and to learn more about the many diverse activities, events and groups working within our Parish and community. Everyone is welcome to participate in any of these ministries, and we look forward to seeing you on the 22nd!

Spring Crab Cake & Country Ham Dinner - We Need Your Help!

You are cordially invited to volunteer your time and talents or make a financial donation to the Saint James' Parish Spring Crab Cake & Country Ham Dinner to be held on Saturday, May 19th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. We are looking forward to sharing a delicious meal, our historic church grounds, specialty shops and children's activities with our parish members and neighbors!

If you have a favorite volunteer position, please contact Wendy Crawford, and we will be sure your job is saved for you. Also, please indicate the specific times you will be able to assist. We ask that everyone arrive 15 minutes prior to their shift for instructions and to join us in our opening prayer. All volunteers are invited to dress in a colonial period costume.

The cost for the dinner will be $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10 years old (under 2 years old eat free). Please remember to encourage your family, friends and neighbors to join us for this wonderful event!