College Student Ministry

College Student Ministry if you have a college student you would like to receive greetings from St. James' Parish during the school year, or if you would be interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Taylor Milbradt at tayfm@aol.com. PLEASE NOTE: Even if your student has the same address as last year, please let us know, we start a new list each year.

Library Committee trip to the Hampton House in Towson, October 15th

The Library Committee is sponsoring a day trip to the historic Hampton House in Towson, Maryland on Thursday, October 15th; we will be leaving the church parking lot at 8:45 AM, returning by 4:30 PM. Cost is $20.00 per person. We will be having lunch at a restaurant in Towson. You will be on your own for cost. Please contact Lillie (301-855-7829) for reservations. Please join us.

Ministry Fair, October 18th!

The St. James' Parish Vestry will be hosting a Ministries Fair on Sunday, October 18th from 9 AM to Noon in the Parish Hall. Each St. James' Parish program and organization is invited to set up a display and provide informative handouts about their purpose and activities. If you coordinate one of these groups, please plan to have your display and materials in place by 9 AM to enable people from all Sunday morning services to learn about your group. Linda Rines is coordinating this event and will be contacting the leaders of each St. James' Parish ministry group with more information. The Ministry Fair offers an excellent opportunity to identify new participants for your group!

Please join us for fellowship and to learn more about the many diverse activities, events and groups working within our Parish and community!

Volunteer for Partners In Care (PIC)

Partners In Care (PIC) is a non-profit program designed to create community by linking frail elderly and disabled adults with neighbors who volunteer their time to help with occasional tasks and errands. Participants in the program may provide services, receive services or both. Services are matched to individual needs and may include grocery shopping, transportation, handyman help, yard work or friendly visits. For more information about how you can help, please contact Don Arthur at donlucyarthur@verizon.net.

Fall/Winter Clothing & Volunteers Needed!

The St. James' Parish clothing ministry is now accepting clean, gently used fall and winter clothing, shoes and outerwear. Please leave donations under the table in the clothing room downstairs in the Education Building. As always, we are seeking volunteers to help sort and fold clothes. Even two hours, one day a month, would be appreciated. For more information, or to sign up to help, please contact Taylor Milbradt at tayfm@aol.com.

Parish Leadership Workshops

The 2016 Annual Parish Celebration will be held in January. At that time, three members of the Vestry will be rotating off and will be replaced with other parishioners. Two Leadership Workshops have been scheduled in order to provide information to parishioners who might be interested in learning more about what it is like to serve in a leadership position in the Parish. Workshops will be held in the Choir Room on Saturday, October 31st (10 AM-noon) and Tuesday, November 3rd (7-9 PM). Please give prayerful thought to a call to serve. For additional information, or to register for one of the workshops, please contact the Rector at ticknor@stjameslothian.com.

SCAN Food Pantry Needs Volunteers

The SCAN Food Bank is looking for volunteers with pick-up trucks to transport food from the Anne Arundel County Food Bank in Crownsville to the SCAN Food Pantry at St. James' Parish. Volunteers are also needed to assist with unloading the food items and stocking the pantry. You will be called approximately every three or four months to help for two hours during a weekday. For more information or to sign up to help, please contact Don or Lucy Arthur at donlucyarthur@verizon.net.

The Blessing of the Animals, October 4th

The Blessing of the Animals will be on The Feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Sunday, October 4 at 4 PM on the grass just north of the Churchyard (north of the main driveway). Please plan to come and bring your pets. It is a wonderful way to thank God for all his creatures. We request that all pet sized animals (dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, etc.) be kept on leash, or in a carrier or cage while on the grounds of St. James' Church. Larger animals (horses, donkeys, llamas, etc.) should be attached to their humans in whatever manner is appropriate. Please keep your animals with you and under control.

Youth Bible Study IS BACK!

Middle School and High School students are invited to dive into the Bible, enjoy fellowship, have pizza and hang out with Bill+ and Miss Sharon. We will begin on September 28, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the High School Room, in the Education Building. We will meet on the fourth Monday of each month except for December.

Adult Study Forum - Sunday mornings at 10:00

The Adult Forum meets in the Library each Sunday morning from 10 to 10:45. We have just begun discussing the book, "Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation" by Jennifer Harvey and will continue doing so for the weeks to come. Please join us! Please Note: The Bishop is also holding a forum in Baltimore on this book each Wednesday evening through October 28th.

Messiah Sing-Along Sponsors Needed!

Sponsors are now being sought for our 29th Annual Messiah Sing-Along to be held on Sunday, November 29th. Our sponsors make it possible for all donations collected at the Sing-Along and the December Salvation Army Carol Sing to be added to our parish-wide Thanksgiving Offering, all of which is donated to the Salvation Army in support of their ministries in the community. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, there is no cost to St. James' Parish for these events which include a reception held after the Sing-Along and the Carol Sing pot-luck supper. Sponsors will be recognized in the printed program. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact St. James' Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net.

Community Assistance Fund - August Activity

With your continued support we were able to help five families in the month of August with eviction prevention and BGE bills in the amount of $1,150. One single mother with two very young children needed help with her August rent knowing she would be homeless in September. We helped her with her rent and gave her resources to explore where she might go with her family in September. She was extremely grateful for the assistance and we pray she was able to get the assistance needed to care for her family. Your continued support of this ministry is appreciated by many.

Fundraiser for Ghanian Mothers' Hope, October 25th

Come "Paint with the Queen" on October 25th from 2:30-5 PM to benefit the ministry of Ghanian Mothers' Hope. Enjoy painting your own glass creation at this fun Drinkable Arts Paint Party that will be held at St. James' Parish, Lothian, Maryland. Tickets are $40 per person and includes all supplies, several glass types and four patterns to help you create your custom glass! For additional information, please contact Jeanie LesCallett at jeannie.lescallett@drinkablearts.com. To register online, visit www.drinkablearts.com/event/2092/Paint-with-the-Queen-GMH-Lothian-MD.

Fall Worship Schedule Begins September 13th

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist, St. Mark's Chapel
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist, St. James' Church
10:00 AM Sunday Church School, Education Building
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist, St. James' Church
5:30 PM Holy Eucharist, St. James' Church

Family Day Picnic & Kayaking

On Sunday, September 20th, after the 11 AM service, we will be heading over to West River Camp to enjoy some grilling and kayaking/canoeing. What a better way to celebrate than to spend the afternoon eating and being on the water. Bring some food to share and a kayak if you have one (or you can rent one from West River Camp). We have a pavilion reserved for us, so come and join the fun, bring the whole family. There are other self-led activities besides kayaking. All those under the age of 18 must have parental supervision. Please sign up by Sunday, September 13th by calling the Parish Office at (410-867-2838) so that we can notify West River Camp of the number of people attending and how many kayak/canoes we will need.