CPR/AED Classes, November 16 6:30 - 8:30 PM

CPR/AED classes will be offered by a certified teacher from the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC). Cost is $40.00; for more information, please contact Ken Howard at kbhoward@comcast.net.

Holiday Food Baskets - Please Help Feed the Needy

St James' Parish and Friendship United Methodist Church will be distributing groceries for 70 Thanksgiving dinners to be given to needy families in our community on Saturday, November 19 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 and should be placed in the St. James' Parish freezers no later than Wednesday, November 16 so we will know how many additional will need to be purchased. Cash contributions to purchase the other food items for the Thanksgiving baskets are needed, and your generosity will be appreciated!

For additional information, to make a donation, or to volunteer to help, please contact Linda Rines at Linda.Rines@comcast.net.

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 Salvation Army Carol Sing pot-luck supper on December 7. 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.

Chili Making for Messiah Sing-Along, October 25

Ever wondered how those ten gallons of chili just magically appear at the annual Messiah Sing-Along each year? Join Trixie Ryan on October 25, at 10:30 AM in St. James' kitchen to find out and be a part of this great 30-year tradition! Last year we had enough helpers and we finished in about two hours. In addition to chopping, cutting and mixing we also need volunteers to take home batches of chili to cook (crockpots) and freeze until the Sing Along on November 27. Contact Trixie at mryansings@verizon.net to let her know how you can assist.

Parish Leadership Workshops

The 2017 Annual Parish Celebration will be held in January. At that time, three members will be rotating off the Vestry and will be replaced with new 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 on the Vestry. The workshops will be held in the Parish Library on Wednesday, November 2 (7-9 PM) and Saturday, November 5 (10 AM to 12 PM). Please give prayerful thought to a call to serve. For additional information,or to register for one of the workshops. please contact the Rev. William H. C. Ticknor at ticknor@stjameslothian.com or 410-867-2838.

All Hallows' Eve Celebration and Trunk or Treat, October 21 from 6-8 PM

Children of all ages, young and old (hint: adults, too!), are invited to dress up and enjoy fellowship and community in St. James' Parish Hall. Preschoolers through 5th graders will enjoy dinner from 6-7 PM followed by fun and games beginning at 7 PM.

All parishioners are invited to bring their cars to the parking lot for the annual All Hallows' Eve Trunk or Treat. Decorate your trunks with your favorite All Hallows' Eve decorations and pass out treats to our young people who will visit each car starting at 7 PM. Costumes are encouraged! Volunteers are needed. For more information, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com or the Parish Office at 410-867-2838.

Chili Cook-off, November 5

The Parish Life Committee will sponsor a country themed Chili Cook-off on the evening of November 5, 6-9 PM in the Parish Hall with music and great food. Dig out your favorite chili recipe and join in the fun! If you have an interest in helping with this event, please contact Edlu Thom-Harper at Edlu.th@comcast.net.

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.