Handbells for Christmas

Anyone who is interested in "making a joyful noise unto the Lord" by playing St. James' handbells (actually chimes) at a service at Christmas time, please contact Marjie Mack at mmack3108@comcast.net. No experience necessary, and there will be just a few fun practices.

The Blessing of Animals, October 7th

We will honor St. Francis of Assisi by having The Blessing of Animals on Sunday, October 7th, at 4 p.m. in the field opposite St. James' Church. Please bring your pets, large and small.

St. James’ Parish EfM (Education for Ministry)

The St. James' Parish EfM (Education for Ministry) Group will be held this fall with the EfM Group from Christ Church, West River. We enjoy fellowship each week while we are also learning about the Bible and church history, as well as discussing how to apply what we learn about our faith in our lives. Despite having serious discussions, we also have a lot of fun. If you are interested in learning more about EfM, contact Marjie Mack at mmack3108@comcast.net and/or visit www.sewanee.edu/EFM.

26th Annual Messiah Sing-Along - Sponsors Needed!

Sponsors are now being sought for our 26th Annual Messiah Sing-Along on Sunday, November 25th. 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 Messiah and the pot-luck supper that follows the Carol Sing. 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.

Fall Festival & Dinner October 13th - Volunteers Needed!

The Fall Festival will be held this year on Saturday, October 13, from 1-5 p.m. It is just around the corner and preparations have begun. As in past years, we need everyone's help to insure the success of our dinner. We need your time. We need donations of baked goods, crafts, jewelry, plants, white elephant and silent auction items. We welcome financial donations as well. If nothing else, buy a ticket to the dinner. This is the largest fundraiser for the Women of St. James' Parish. The profits from this event help the Women fulfill their large financial pledge to the Parish and fund special events and receptions, as well as to several outreach ministries. We need your support!

Fall Ministry Fair, September 23rd

The St. James' Parish Vestry will be hosting the Fall Ministries Fair on Sunday, September 23rd from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The Vestry will provide the coffee hour refreshments during the fair. Each St. James' program and organization will have a display that offers information and handouts about their purpose, activities and goals, and parishioners will be available to answer your questions and provide information. Community groups who participate in ministries involving the parish will also be invited to participate in the fair.

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!

Teacher Appreciation and Acolyte Appreciation Sundays

Teacher Appreciation Sunday will be September 9th at all three services. We will be commissioning new teachers and acknowledging the hard work and dedication of all our Christian Formation leaders.

Acolyte Appreciation Sunday will be September 16th at all three services. We will be commissioning our new acolytes and acknowledging the hard work and dedication of all our acolytes.

Spring Bulb Fundraiser

It has been a long hot summer but before you know it, fall will be here and you will be thinking of planting flower bulbs for spring. If you are planning on planting flower bulbs this fall, the Women of St. James' Parish will be taking orders for Dutch Mill Bulbs from August 23 through September 30. The profit from this fundraiser will go to the Outreach projects of the Women of St. James' Parish.

A representative of the Women of St. James' will be available to take orders during the coffee hours; the bulbs will be delivered to St. James' by mid October. Be sure to come by and see the color brochure showing the flower bulbs that are available. For more information, please contact Kelly Richard at amcraftworks@aol.com.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Training Classes, October 3rd

Parish AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training classes will be held at St. James' Parish on October 3rd at 9:00am and 6:30pm to train parishioners on the proper use of our AEDs. Our AEDs are located in St. James' Church, the Parish Hall, and St. Mark's Chapel. We would like to have trained personnel who attend each service and who participate in the various committee meetings. The cost is $35.00 per person. Please bring your check to the class made payable to "Mary Houlihan." If you have any questions, please contact Ken Howard at kbhoward@comcast.net.

Pew Editions of the Book of Common Prayer

Pew editions of the Book of Common Prayer are available for purchase ($22.00 per book) to be placed in the pews of St. Mark's Chapel and St. James' Church. If you would like to give one or more in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for something, please provide your dedication information to one of the clergy.

Sunday School Starts September 9th

Sunday School will begin on September 9th at 10am in the Church School Building. It is important that we have your child's registration information. The registration form is currently posted on the St. James' web site:

• Register on-line
• Paper registration form (, 86kb)

You may also register you child on the first day of class; registration will take place in the foyer between the Parish Hall and the Christian Education building beginning at 10am. For information, please contact Dawn Campbell+ at dawncampbell@stjameslothian.com or Diana Doswell at ddoswell@comcast.net.

Youth Volleyball Picnic, August 4th

A Youth Volleyball Picnic will be held on Saturday, August 4th, following acolyte training, at 5:30 p.m. For more information contact Steve Dorsey at portlandspring@aol.com.

Calling all Acolytes - Acolyte training!!

All current acolytes, those interested in becoming an acolyte, as well as all those interested in discovering what acolytes do on Sunday, are encouraged to join the Rev. Dawn A. Campbell, Charlie Wolf, and Ben Carrier on Saturday, August 4th from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in St. James' Church. Contact the Rev. Dawn A. Campbell to sign up for training by e-mail dawncampbell@stjameslothian.com or call 410-867-2838. For more information regarding acolyte scheduling, contact Norma Dorsey at portlandspring@aol.com.

St. James' Outreach - Did You Know?

Did you know the loose offering on the first Sunday of the month goes to the discretionary fund to help those in need? Without your help, we would not be able to assist them. Even a small amount means so much to those, who often have had their utilities turned off or have no one else to turn to. In order to make the money in the discretionary fund last through the entire month and help the most people possible, we only help each person once in a six-month period for up to $200. Our Parish Administrator coordinates with other local parishes and keeps the records.

The Outreach Committee recently took on coordinating volunteers from the Parish to help the clients on Thursday mornings with their bills, food from the SCAN food bank, and referrals to other organizations and agencies for further help. We also make sure they know about the Food Bank, and distribute prayer shawls. Donations are accepted anytime, not just on the first Sunday. Donations may be cash or checks payable to St. James' with Discretionary Fund on the memo line. For more information or to volunteer, contact Nola Meyers or Shay Hall, co-chairs of the Outreach Committee.

Summer Choir and Annual Note Reading Course

Once again it's time for SUMMER CHOIR! Show up in church at 9 a.m. for rehearsal and you pass the audition! Bring your kids and house guests. The Summer Choir sings at the 10 a.m. Service, and everyone is welcome to participate!

Additionally, again this year the St. James’ Parish Music Director is teaching a summer note reading class. Anyone seriously interested in the annual NOTE READING COURSE (5 weeks, 2 evenings per week, all work done in class, $10 for workbook) should contact Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net. Class begins in mid July.