Greening the Church, December 23rd

On Wednesday, December 23rd, at 10 AM, please join us 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 301-855-7829.

Christmas Pageant, December 20th

During the 9 AM service our youth Christmas pageant will take place. This year it is a "no rehearsal play" that the youth can participate in upon arriving for the Service.

Farewell Reception - Kerry+ & Kelly, December 13th

Please join us to thank Kerry Smith+ and Kelly Richard for their service to St. James' Parish and to wish them well in their new home in South Carolina. They will be visiting St. James' Parish and attending all three morning services. The Women of St. James' Parish will host this special reception in their honor on December 13th during the Coffee Hour (following the 9 a.m. Service) and in thanksgiving for their service to the parish over a number of years.

Parish Christmas Caroling!

The St. James' Parish Senior & Celebration Choirs invite you to join them for Christmas Caroling at Greenstreet Gardens on Sunday, December 13th at 1:30 PM. For more information, please contact Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net.

The Southern Middle School Community Guidance Emergency Fund now called "The Ferralli Fund"

After the recent death of Southern Middle School's Stephan Ferralli. The Southern Middle School Community Guidance Emergency Fund will be renamed "The Ferralli Fund". The funds from this account benefit local students of Southern Middle in need. Some of the items purchased through this account have been shoes, coats, back packs, supplies and helping families after a fire. This was one of many things Mr. Ferralli was active with. He noticed when students didn't have a coat or their shoes were inadequate. St. James' Outreach Fund has supported this fund for several years. If interest in making a donation, you can mail a check to Southern Middle School, 5235 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, MD 20711. In the MEMO part of the check write "Ferralli Fund". If you have any questions, please contact Nola Meyers at noreme@verizon.net.

Lunch with Santa!, December 12th

Santa will be coming to St. James' Parish on Saturday, December 12th from 12 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.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com.

Middle and High School Students - We Need You! Please consider volunteering to assist with activities at the Lunch with Santa. Sign up by contacting Sharon McGlaughlin. Your volunteer time will be documented for Community Service Hours.

Christmas Baskets for South County Families in Need!

St. James' Parish and Friendship United Methodist Church will be distributing groceries for 70 Christmas dinners plus books and toys for needy families in our community on Saturday, December 19th from 7AM to 10:30AM. This is a great family service opportunity! Youth should plan to participate from 8:30AM to 10:30AM.

Donations of frozen turkeys (10-12 pounds) are needed as well as cash contributions to purchase the other food items. Frozen turkeys need to be placed in the St James' Parish freezers no later than Wednesday, December 16th, so we will know how many additional will need to be purchased. Donations of new toys and books will be distributed for the children.

For additional information, please contact Linda Rines at Linda.Rines@comcast.net and sign up to help!

Salvation Army Stockings - Return by December 6th!

Thanks to everyone who is filling a Salvation Army Stocking this season! These stockings benefit local area children who are in need.

Please remember, do not wrap the items (they will just have to be unwrapped before they can be given to the children). And don't forget to label your stocking (or bag!) so we know for whom it is intended (boy, age 6-8 years; girl, age 10-12 years, etc.). Also, please remember that stockings must be returned to the church no later than Sunday, December 6th (they are taken to the Salvation Army shortly after that date).

Thanks to your generosity, these stockings make a huge difference in the lives of many, many children! For additional information, please contact Nola Meyers at noreme@verizon.net.

Community Assistance Fund - October Activity

In the month of October, St. James' was able to help ten families with fuel, electricity, rent and medical bills in the amount of $1,930. One woman in particular had special needs. She was living in her car, in need of heart surgery, only it couldn't be done until her medical bills were paid and she had a permanent place in which to recover. We were able to pay her medical bills and working with the Community Action Agency, we have found an apartment for her making it possible for her to have her life-changing surgery. The generosity of our Parishioners makes this kind of heartwarming outcome possible.

Making Advent Wreaths, November 29th

November 29th is the first Sunday of Advent. After the 9AM service adults and children are invited to gather in the parish hall for a joint coffee hour and Advent Wreath making. We invite multi-generational families to gather as we make our very own Advent Wreaths to use at home, counting down the Sundays until Christmas. We will provide the wreath making materials and candles but enthusiastically welcome donations of greenery (holly, fir, spruce, pine, etc.). A suggested donation of $5 will go to help offset the cost of candles. For additional information please contact Devon Snodgrass at devon.e.snodgrass@gmail.com.

Salvation Army Stockings

Salvation Army Stockings are NOW available. Please take one (or two) to fill to help our local children in need this Christmas. The stockings make a huge impact in their lives. A Christmas box has been placed in the foyer (between the Offices and the Education Building). Please place your stocking in the box. If you have over flow (or can't locate a stocking) please place in a grocery bag and place in the box. Thank you again for supporting the Salvation Army of Annapolis. For more information, please contact Nola Meyers at noreme@verizon.net

The 1979 Book of Common Prayer

Many of our Prayer Books are falling apart. We have to replace some at St. Mark's and some at St. James'. If you would like to assist in covering the cost for the Prayer Books, please fill out the following form and submit it with a check made out to St. James' Parish for $20, which will cover the cost of one Prayer Book. There will be a book plate in the front of each Prayer Book and you are welcome to donate for one:

"In Loving Memory of	____________________
or "In Thanksgiving for	____________________
Your name:	____________________
Information to be inscribed on Book Plate:	____________________
Telephone Number or email address:	____________________

Lock-In for Middle and High School Youth, October 23rd

At 8:30 PM the older youth will leave for Heidi's Haunted Hills in Harwood, Maryland for a haunting experience. Upon returning to St. James' we will enjoy pizza and movies. Everyone needs to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Pick up on Saturday morning will be 9 AM.

A sign-up sheet will in the Parish Hall on the Youth Bulletin Board. Any questions, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com. Looking forward to a spooky good time!

Halloween Party & Trunk-or-Treat

On Friday, October 23rd from 6:30 PM to 8 PM, the youth of St. James' will be gathering for a Halloween experience. The evening will include the Middle School & High School Youth leading the younger ones in games and activities. Our Atrium aged children will be served dinner before heading out to the parking lot for Trunk or Treat at 7:30 PM.

We invite our older crowd to park their cars, decorate your car/truck trunk, wear your costumes, and bring plenty of treats and goodies for our youngsters as they stop by each trunk. We ask that the trunks be ready by 7:30 PM. Last year was a huge success with a parking lot full of decorated trunks. This is a fun and safe event for the children of St. James' and surrounding community!

Holiday Food Baskets - Please Help Feed the Needy

St James' Parish and Friendship United Methodist Church will be distributing groceries for 70 Thanksgiving dinners for needy families in our community on Saturday, November 14th from 7-11 AM. This is a great family service opportunity! Youth should plan to participate from 8:30-10:30 AM.

Donations of frozen turkeys (10-12 pounds) are needed as well as cash contributions to purchase the other food items for the Thanksgiving baskets. Frozen turkeys need to be placed in the St James' Parish freezers no later than Wednesday, November 11th so we will know how many additional will need to be purchased.

For additional information, please contact Linda Rines at Linda.Rines@comcast.net and sign up to help!