Memorial Service for the Rev. Carl William Rehling, Jr.

A memorial service will be held for the Rev. Carl William Rehling, Jr., former Deacon of St. James' Parish, who died on November 4. He had requested that his services be held in St. James' Church, officiated by the Rt. Rev. Robert W. Ihloff (13th Bishop of Maryland) and by the Rev. William H. C. Ticknor. The service will be held on Sunday, January 5th at 1:30 PM. The Women of St. James' Parish are graciously hosting the reception in the Parish hall following the service.

Worship and Music Committee Survey

Please take a few minutes of your time and answer this 12 question survey from the Music and Worship Committee. This is the same questionnaire that is being distributed in church bulletins starting December 22.

Click on the following link to take the survey: tinyurl.com/ka9jwqw.

Toys for Christmas Baskets

Last year, as part of our annual Christmas basket donation day, we decided to organize a toy drive for the children of the families who were registered to receive a basket. It was a tremendous success because of the many donations of small, new and gently used toys and items that we received for the event.

Please drop off new or gently used items to church THIS WEEK by Friday, December 20. We will hand them out as the families pick up their meals on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21. This year, we will feed 85 families, so let's see if we can reach the children as well by spreading more Christmas joy in their lives with a toy. Please contact Claire Pickart at clairepickart@verizon.net if you have questions or need additional information.

Greening the Church, December 23rd

Please join us 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 301-855-7829.

Due to Inclement Weather: No 5:30pm Holy Eucharist tonight.

Christmas Food Baskets

The Outreach Committee will coordinate distribution of Holiday meals on Saturday, December 21st from 7-11 AM. This is an excellent family service opportunity!

Please contact Linda Rines at Linda.Rines@comcast.net if you can help! Donations of frozen turkeys (10-12 pounds) are needed as well as cash contributions to purchase the other food items for the baskets. Thanks for supporting this important St. James' Parish ministry and helping to provide holiday meals to those members of our community in need.

Salvation Army Carol Sing

Please join with the Salvation Army's Brass Ensemble December 11th to help less fortunate families and enjoy singing Christmas carols. The Carol Sing at 7:30 PM in the church is preceded by fellowship at 6 PM and a potluck supper at 6:30 PM in the parish hall. The carols are accompanied by the Brass Ensemble and Patricia Tyndall on the organ.

Please join us on December 11th for fun, fellowship, and Christmas caroling to benefit the important work of the Salvation Army.

Christmas Caroling, December 8th

Join members of the Celebration Choir at the St. James' Parish Annual Christmas Caroling at Greenstreet Gardens on Sunday, December 8th from 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM. Song sheets will be provided. For more information, please contact Robyn Henshaw at robinhenshaw@verizon.net. All Are Welcome!

Lunch with Santa, December 7th

Santa will be coming to St. James’ Parish on Saturday, December 7th 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. Please sign up on the Youth Bulletin Board. For additional information, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin sharon.mcglaughlin@yahoo.com. Join us for lots of fun!

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. This will be documented for Community Service Hours.

St. James' Parish Burial Records on the Web

The Parish receives inquiries from time to time from people who are looking for genealogical information. To facilitate our response to them, the entire database of burials at St. James' Parish is now available on the Parish's website. Please click on "Cemetery" in the top menu and then "Genealogy" on the following page.

Decorating the Parish Hall Christmas Tree, November 24

People of all ages are asked to help decorate the Parish Hall Christmas Tree on November 24th, starting at 10:30 AM. Pizza will be served, as well as a special treat to get you in the Christmas spirit. Hope to see everyone there.

Thanksgiving Baskets

Please consider giving your time, talent and/or treasures to help us provide Thanksgiving dinners to 75 South County families in need. We need 10 – 12 pound frozen turkeys delivered to the Parish Hall by Wednesday, Nov. 20, and cash donations to cover the cost of the groceries and help on Saturday morning, Nov. 23, from 7 AM - 11 AM. This is an excellent family service opportunity that needs your help! For more information, please contact Linda Rines at Linda.Rines@comcast.net.

Lost Angels by Kelly Richard, November 24

Old chair legs, table legs, finials and spindles are combined with lost and discarded items to create Lost Angels. Each angel is a unique collectible. All materials will be provided, however, if you have saved something to embellish your angel please bring it to the workshop. Please contact Kelly at akellyrichard@aol.com before November 17 to participate in this workshop. Fee: $7.00.

The Anglican Rosary by Kerry Smith+, November 17

Since the earliest times, people have used pebbles or a string of knots or beads on a cord to keep track of prayers offered to God. The use of Anglican Prayer Beads, also known as the Anglican Rosary, is a relatively new prayer form which blends the Marian Rosary (Roman Catholic) and the Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope. All materials will be provided. Please contact Kerry at ksmith9913@aol.com before November 10th to make a rosary in this workshop. Fee: $6.00.

New Worship Service, starting November 10th

A new 5:30 worship service will be introduced to St. James' Parish. The service will be an informal, "Come as You Are Gathering" for Holy Eucharist. Come in your work clothes, sports clothes, gardening clothes; come to the service after a weekend of travel, or if youth sports have been scheduled for Sunday morning, or if you've missed the morning services to get the extra rest you need for the week ahead. Whatever the reason for missing Sunday morning worship, please know you are welcome to, come as you are to the 5:30 PM service. This service is designed to meet your need to be in relationship with God through worship. The 45 minute service will be held in St. James' Church.