Messiah Sing-Along Sponsors Needed!

Sponsors are now being sought for our 30th Annual Messiah Sing-Along to be held 4 PM on Sunday, November 27. 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.

Blessing of Animals, October 2

Mark your calendar - in honor of Francis of Assisi, we will have the blessing of animals on Sunday, October 2 at 4:00 PM opposite St. James' Church to the north of the driveway.

Pizza & Bible Study, September 26

Middle School and High School students are invited to dive into the Bible, enjoy fellowship and dinner, and hang out with Bill+ and Miss Sharon on the fourth Monday of each month from 6:30-8 PM in the High School Room in the Education Building. For more information, or to join the Bible Study, please contact the Rector at ticknor@stjameslothian.com or Miss Sharon at sharon.mcglaughlin@gmail.com.

Family Fun Day & Kayaking at West River Camp

On Sunday, September 18 after the 11 AM service, we will be heading over to West River Camp to enjoy some kayaking, canoeing. and other outdoor activities. Bring some food to share, and a kayak if you have one (or you can rent one from West River Center). We have a pavilion reserved, so come and join the fun – bring the whole family. All those under the age of 18 must have parental supervision. For more information about the day, please contact Linda Dinges at LLdinges@gmail.com.

Sunday Church School Resumes September 11

Sunday Church School is held each Sunday at St. James' Parish immediately following the 9 AM service. You can register your youth online at stjameslothian.com/#/cf_registration Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email. For additional information about the Sunday Church School program, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at Sharon.Mcglaughlin@gmail.com. All children and youth, ages 3 to 18 are invited to attend!

Church School resumes on September 11. Sunday Church School classes for children and youth:
* Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium I, II, III) for ages 3 through Grade 6
* Middle School for Grades 7-8
* High School for Grades 9-12

Come Sing With Us! Adult Choir Rehearsals Resume

St. James' Parish offers two adult choirs – the Chancel Choir and the Celebration Choir – both are comprised of volunteer singers. No special musical ability or great singing voice is required to participate in the choirs! Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come together for fun, fellowship, worship, discipleship and ministry - oh, and they sing, too!

The Chancel Choir sings at the 11 AM service and features traditional music. The Celebration Choir sings at the 9 AM service choosing more contemporary praise music. For more information about choir activities, please contact Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan, at mryansings@verizon.net.

Celebration Choir rehearsals resume Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 PM; Chancel Choir rehearsals resume Thursday, September 8 at 7:30 PM.

A Tree for Robin

A Crape Myrtle tree has been dedicated to the memory of Robin Henshaw. It is the second to the last tree on the right next to the New Cemetery road. Thank you to all who generously gave money for this dedication.

Inter-generational Fun Day on Sunday, August 14

Come join us in discovering a treasure in our Nation's Capital in visiting a museum or two. If there is a museum in particular that you would like to visit, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com. We will need to have input no later than August 3, so that accommodations can be made and any special needs addressed prior to the 14th. WE WILL BE LEAVING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 10 AM SERVICE.

DioMaryland eNews

Subscribe to DioMaryland eNews to get current news and announcements from around our Diocese, delivered directly to your email box every two weeks. To subscribe, go to episcopalmaryland.org and scroll down to the bottom of their home page.

Trip to Ireland

A group from St. James' Parish will leave August 20th for 14 days. We will visit Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork and Galway. For details contact Lillie Barret at garylillie502@gmail.com.

The Community Assistance Team's June Report

June was a busy month for the St. James' Community Assistance team. In addition to the generous contributions of our parishioners, we were fortunate to have received a grant from the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County which helped us meet the needs of our neighbors. We were able to assist 15 clients for a total amount of $3,535.

We are finding our partnership with the Community Action Agency on Thursday mornings is working quite well. They have begun a new year for fuel assistance and we were able to send two clients with very large BGE bills to them and they received the help they needed to get their electricity turned back on. We were also able to help two homeless clients with short term hotel stays.

Boy Scout Troop 840 Food Drive

Our Boy Scout Troop 840 is conducting the 4th Annual Doug Anderson Food Drive in memory of their former Scoutmaster Doug Anderson. This food drive will run until July 31, 2016. This is a very special food drive, because Doug was also the Board Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator for the SCAN Food Bank at St. James', so the donations collected will go right there! While any and all donations are greatly needed and appreciated, we are trying to collect items that the food bank needs: canned meat products, canned tuna, peanut butter, jelly, mac and cheese, soups, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti, pancake mix and syrup, Jell-O, muffin mix, pork & beans. Thank you all for your support with this very special food drive. Plastic bags are available at the doors of the Church and Chapel.

Episcopal Diocese Night at Camden Yards, August 16th

Enjoy an evening of baseball, fellowship and old-fashioned fun at Camden Yards with friends, neighbors, and church members on August 16th. Game starts at 7:05 PM! Tickets now on sale for our annual diocesan baseball outing. Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox – Upper Reserve (Sections 306-364, Rows 13-25): $15. All are Welcome! Invite other parishioners, newcomers, friends, relatives, neighbors, and anyone else who would enjoy an afternoon of baseball. To reserve your seats with the St. James' Parish group, please contact Marjie Mack at mmack3108@comcast.net.

Come and take a tour of the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes!

When: Sunday, July 10th
Who's Invited: Everyone! We will be leaving St. James’ Church after the 10 AM service to go to the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, MD on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University. If there is time and interest, we will try to end our day at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton just three miles away.
Transportation: We are currently working on acquiring a school bus. The drive to Emmitsburg, MD, is about an hour and a half.
Food: Please bring a bag lunch. Everyone under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Please RSVP as soon as possible. To RSVP, or for more information, contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com.

A Tree for Robin

Robin Henshaw, Director of the Celebration Choir, still lives on in our hearts, and she inspired us so much with her joy and faithful service. We want to plant a tree with a plaque in her memory, as well as do something music-related to be determined after consultation with the choirs and family. Donations may be made (payable to St. James' Parish with "for Robin" on the memo line) and put in the collection plate or sent to the office.