January Community Assistance Fund

In January, the Community Assistance Fund was able to help 12 families in the amount of $3,493. In addition we gave $500 to the SCCEAG Fund at Johnson Oil and were able to fill the fuel tanks of two additional families. Most of the people needed help with lot rent, electric and fuel bills. In addition, we helped a homeless family with three children’s stay in an Annapolis motel for four nights and in an unusual situation we were able to help a family get back on their feet by assisting with an extremely necessary dental procedure. We feel blessed to be able to help our neighbors in need and appreciate your support.

Souper Bowl Sunday, February 1st

On Sunday, February 1st, millions of Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be other people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Please join young people around the country as they demonstrate God's love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. St. James' Parish Youth will be standing at the doors after the service collecting donations in large soup bowls and will later do a "Supermarket Sweep" to purchase groceries for the needy. Please support their efforts - Thank you!

Giving to the Palermo Children’s Education Fund

The Vestry, at their January meeting, decided to set aside the month of February for people to donate to the Palermo Fund. If you wish to donate, please make out your check to "St. James’ Parish" and place "Palermo Fund" in the memo. We will be sending a check on behalf of our Parish.

St. James' Parish Valentine's Day Party and Dance

St. James' Parish is hosting a Valentine's Day Party and Dance on Friday, February 13, 2015 from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM.

Come as a single, couple or bring the entire family and plan to have a great evening of fellowship with your Parish family. An Italian dinner will be served including pasta (meat lover and vegetarian), green salad, rolls, chocolate dessert, wine and non-alcoholic punch. DJ Randy Ward from Party Pac Entertainment will provide the music, games and lots of fun. All this for $15 per person; $30 per couple; $35 for a family of four ($5 per additional family member) and children 4 and under are free.

If you have any questions or to purchase tickets, please contact Edlu Thom-Harper at Edlu.th@comcast.net.

Amish Lands Library Committee Trip, April 9th

On Thursday, April 9, The Library Committee is sponsoring a trip to see Sight & Sound's "MOSES." Cost is $175.00 per person: $75 Deposit due with reservation, final payment due by February 15th. Package includes: performance of "Moses" at the Millennium Theatre, smorgasbord meal at Shady Maple Restaurant, shopping as time allows, motorcoach transportation, taxes & meal gratuities.

For reservations & information contact Lillie Barrett at garylillie502@gmail.com.

Regional Confirmation Service, May 31st

Those individuals within our Parish, who desire to be Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church, will be able to go to a Regional Confirmation Service at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Baltimore on Sunday, May 31st, at 4 PM. Our Assistant Rector, Dawn+, will be instructing our young people in preparation, and our Rector, Bill+, will be meeting with Adults for their preparation. Please contact the clergy to allow us to meet with those involved.

Diocesan meeting at St. James' Parish this evening POSTPONED due to inclement weather

Due to inclement weather and potentially hazardous driving conditions, tonight's Regional Forum to discuss the Heather Cook matter with Bishop Sutton has been postponed. Originally scheduled for 7-8:30 pm Jan 21 at St. James' Parish, the meeting will be rescheduled. If you have to venture out this afternoon or tonight, please drive safely.

Diocesan Meeting, Wednesday, January 21st

On Wednesday, January 21^st from 7 PM - 8:30 PM a diocesan meeting will be held at St. James' to discuss the current events regarding Bishop Heather Cook. This meeting is open to all clergy and laity, and is being held to allow clergy and members of our churches time to express their feelings, ask questions, and get information to share with their congregations. Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton will be present to address questions and concerns. Please join us for this time of fellowship, prayer, and discussion.

You can read Bishop Sutton's January 13^th pastoral letter to the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland at the following link: latestnews.episcopalmaryland.org/?p=68.

For those outside the parish planning to attend, click here for driving directions.

St. James' Youth - if you plan to attend the meeting, the youth will meet at 6 PM for pizza and a pre-meeting discussion. If your youth is interested in joining the conversation, please notify Dawn+ at dawncampbell@stjameslothian.com prior to the meeting.

Food Pantry Volunteers Needed

The SCAN food pantry needs help with unloading incoming cases of food items. It is done during a week day and takes about two hours. You will be called approximately every three or four months. If you can help, please contact Lucy Arthur at donlucyarthur@verizon.net.

December Community Assistance Fund

Once again St. James' Parish helped several families in our South County Community have a little better Christmas. We were able to disburse $2,251.88 as well as SCCEAG funds in the amount of $531.82. In addition to our regular funds we were able to help a few families have any Christmas at all because generous parishioners provided extra funds for gift cards where people could pick up a few presents for their families. The Community Assistance Team wants you to know how much we appreciate your support for this very important ministry that helps our neighbors in need.

Greening the Church, December 23rd

Please join us on December 23rd at 10 AM 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.

Holiday Food Baskets

St. James' Parish will be partnering with Friendship United Methodist Church again this year to coordinate distribution of Christmas Holiday meals on December 20th from 7-11 AM. This is a great family service opportunity!

Please contact Linda Rines at Linda.Rines@comcast.net if you are able to help! Donations of frozen turkeys and cash for groceries are needed by Wednesday, December 17th.

Thanks for supporting this St. James’ Parish ministry and helping to provide holiday meals to those members of our community in need.

November Community Assistance Fund

With your contributions we were able to help eight families in November in the amount of $1,864. Most of our clients this month were from the local mobile home parks and they were facing eviction because they could not pay their lot rent. Others needed help with their electric bills in order to prevent shut-off. We can only help them with part of what they need and even though some have health issues, they have to find a way to ask for assistance at other South County churches. We are still short on funds for December and into the New Year. Even our SCCEAG BGE funds are running low and the worst part of winter is still to come. Anyway you can provide help to our neighbors in need will be greatly appreciated.

Lunch with Santa!, December 13th

Santa will be coming to St. James' Parish on Saturday, December 13th from noon to 2 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.mcglaughlin@yahoo.com. Join us for lots of fun!

Salvation Army Carol Sing, December 9th

Please join with the Salvation Army's Brass Ensemble December 9th to help less fortunate families and enjoy singing Christmas carols. The Carol Sing at 7:30 p.m. in the church is preceded by fellowship at 6 p.m. and a potluck supper coordinated by The Women of St. James’ Parish at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. The carols are accompanied by the Brass Ensemble and Patricia Tyndall on the organ. Two of the highlights of the evening are the three holy kings chosen from the audience for the carol, "We Three Kings," and the solo by St. James' Parish Music Director Michael Ryan.

Every year, the youth of the parish make a pilgrimage to a toy store to buy toys for needy children to be distributed by the Salvation Army. The money for the toys comes from the Thanksgiving offering, the free-will offering at the Messiah Sing-Along and by the sponsors who cover all the expenses of both events so that the poor will benefit.

Please join us on December 9th for fun, fellowship, and Christmas caroling to benefit the important work of the Salvation Army.