The 325th Anniversary of the Establishment of our Parish in 1692

This year our Parish will celebrate the 325th anniversary of the establishment of our Parish as well as the 225th Anniversary of the Consecration of our 7th Rector, Thomas John Claggett, as the First Episcopal Bishop of Maryland and the first to be consecrated on American soil on September 17, 1792. On September 17, our Bishop will be visiting our Parish to celebrate with us. The Vestry has established an ad hoc committee to plan activities throughout the year in recognition of these important milestones. If you would like to lead or serve on the committee, please let Nancy Horkan know at nhorkan@comcast.net.

Christmas Tree Thank You

The large outdoor decorated Christmas Tree is lit to honor all the ministries that St. James' Parish provides to the community. We appreciate Colonial Electric volunteering their staff and bucket truck to make decorating the tree possible.

Greening the Church, Thursday, December 22nd at 10 AM

Please join us on December 22nd 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.

Wreaths Across America at St. James' Parish

This year, St. James' Parish will participate in the Wreaths Across America program which started at Arlington Cemetery to honor some of the older, less visited, graves, and is now in over 1,000 locations across the country. Thanks to some very generous supporters, we have already raised enough funds to place up to 100 wreaths on gravesites in the parish churchyard.

Please join us for a wreath ceremony on December 17th at noon. These ceremonies all coincide with the laying of the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. Following the ceremony, we will need help placing the wreaths. We will also need help removing the wreaths at 10 AM on January 7th. For additional information, or to volunteer to help, please contact Ashley at Artemis914@aol.com.

Parish Christmas Caroling!

The St. James' Parish Chancel & Celebration Choirs invite you to join them for Christmas Caroling at Greenstreet Gardens on Sunday, December 11th at 1 PM. For more information, please contact Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net.

Salvation Army Carol Sing, December 7

Please join with the Salvation Army's Brass Ensemble December 7 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 coordinated by The Women of St. James' Parish at 6:30 PM in the parish hall.

The carols are accompanied by the Brass Ensemble and Patricia Tyndall on the organ. Two of the highlights of the evening are the three holy kings chosen from the audience for the carol, "We Three Kings," and the solo by St. James' Parish Music Director Michael Ryan who is often persuaded to sing "Good King Wenceslas."

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

Holiday Groceries for Families in Need

St James' Parish needs your Turkeys, Time and/or Treasure to help with packaging and distribution of groceries for Christmas dinners for local families in need. We will be partnering with Friendship United Methodist Church on December 17 from 7-10 AM. If you are not able to join us on Saturday morning, please provide a frozen turkey. Turkeys need to be in the kitchen freezer no later than December 15. Financial donations are also needed to buy the groceries! If you have questions or need more information, please contact Linda Rines at Linda.Rines@comcast.net.

Lunch with Santa!, December 3

Santa will be coming to St. James' Parish on Saturday, December 3 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. 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.

Help Decorate the Parish Christmas Tree!

Sunday, November 27th after the 11 AM service. For more information, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin1692@gmail.com. Pizza for Lunch! Everyone is Welcome!

Welcome Marie Harrison as Director of our Celebration Choir

Marie is a junior at Catholic University majoring in Collaborative Piano and Harp. Collaborative Piano is a contemporary term describing a musician whose specialty is working with individuals and groups of singers and other musicians and she is experienced both with choirs and with Broadway-type shows. Marie will be attending our rehearsals and services over the next few weeks and we are very blessed to have her with us. This is a perfect time for new singers to join our Celebration Choir!

Thanksgiving Day Eucharist

The Thanksgiving Day Eucharist will take place in St. James' Church on November 24, at 10 AM. The offering received from the Thanksgiving Day envelopes will be presented to the Salvation Army at the Carol Sing on December 7 to be used to purchase toys and gifts for needy children. Please join us on Thanksgiving morning!

Salvation Army Stockings - Available November 13

Salvation Army Stockings will once again be available during Sunday services on November 13. These stockings benefit local area children who are in need. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in a child's life - and we need YOUR help! You can also pick up stockings from the box in the foyer between the Parish Hall and the Education Building. Please leave your filled stockings there along with extra items (placed in a grocery bag). Last year, we were able to make a number of additional stockings from these extra items!

A list of suggested items for stuffing the stockings will also be available. Please 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.). Please remember that stockings must be returned to the church no later than Sunday, December 4 (they are taken to the Salvation Army shortly after that date).

For additional information, please contact Nola Meyers at noreme@verizon.net.

Chico's Holiday Fashion Show & Luncheon, December 1

The Women of St. James' Parish are sponsoring a holiday fashion show and luncheon on Thursday December 1st at 11 AM in St. James' Parish Hall. The fashions will be provided by Chico's and available for sale, but you will recognize our models :)!

There will be a raffle and door prizes too! Tickets are $40, and will be limited, so get yours soon! Tickets will be available starting October 30 at Sunday services, the Parish Office (410-867-2838), and from Lesa Eser, Lillie Barrett, Peggy Tucker or Marjie Mack. Hope to see you there!

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.