St. James Parish Family 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
At this important yearly meeting, communicants of St. James in good standing – convening as the parish corporation – gathered to conduct essential business and elect new members to the vestry. Among the most important topics of discussion were planned capital improvements to the parish facilities, including a new heating/cooling system and renovations to the parish hall, kitchen and bathrooms. Ms. Karin Bailey and Dr. Donna Gaines were also elected to the vestry.
A pancake brunch followed in the parish hall, and worshipers had the opportunity to receive the Blessing of Throats in anticipation of the Feast of St. Blaise.
"O, who loves Nicholas the saintly?"
On Dec. 3, 2011, we enjoyed our annual and much anticipated St. Nicholas’ Family Day Celebration! This was a special service for children and families to both learn about and celebrate St. Nicholas. Fr. Chris shared a homily with the children about St. Nicholas, who generously helped those in need, the hungry, and the homeless – often without revealing his identity.
The service concluded with the hymn, “O, who loves Nicholas the Saintly”, and then a surprise visit from St. Nicholas himself! Wearing his traditional and authentic Christmas outfit, St. Nick met with the children and distributed Christmas presents to all the good girls and boys. (Luckily, all were good and received gifts). We then enjoyed a lavish festive supper in the undercroft with a mouth-watering buffet of home-made dishes and desserts.
Many thanks to all who helped decorate and prepare and serve the delicious food for this celebration.
You can find photos of the celebration here.
Molly & Seamus Hennessy meet St. Nicholas
Margie and Don Fraser receive plaque in their honor
On November 13, 2011 the parish honored Don and Margie Fraser for their 40+ years of devoted service to St. James.
Donald and Margie were married here by Fr. Marlin Bowman in 1973 and raised their two sons – David and Daniel – in the parish. They have in countless ways supported St. James with steadfast love. Without their faith for its future, the doors of this church would not be open today.
By unanimous vote of the vestry and with the clergy concurring, they have been given the title “elders of the parish,” in perpetuity.
We thank God for Don and Margie and bless them in the on-going ministry at St. James!
Saturday, November 19, 2-3:30 pm
Have you or a loved one fought unsuccessfully to stop smoking? Quitting doesn’t have to be a struggle!
Join Valerie Horvath and learn a way to stop smoking for good. In the parish hall.
Offered in concert with the Magnolia Institute of Healing and Wellness
Our 2011 Not-So-Scary Halloween Party brought 50+ kids and adults to St. James’ for food, fun and games.
You can find the photo gallery by clicking here.
Special thanks to: Nicky Fader, Amy Kuna, Helene “Nana” Oliviera, Helene and Stephen Oppedisano, and Moses Powell and Jason Blumenthal.
St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian monk who died 783 years ago, may be the most celebrated Christian voice to affirm the moral worth of animals. According to stories, he often spoke of humans’ sacred relationship with other animals, and addressed those around him as “brother hare” or “my sisters, the birds.” (When he was especially tired or achey, he also called his body “Brother Donkey”!)
In honor of his feast day which takes place this week, we join with churches around the world in offering a Blessing of the Animals at 4 pm on October 2. Bring your dogs, cats, hamsters, ferrets, parrots, parakeets, canaries, lizards, chameleons, garden snakes and other friendly pets to this special service of blessing.
Sunday, October 2, 4 pm in the Gesthamene Garden. In case of rain, the service will be held in the church.
Miraculously – and we mean that! – St. James’ weathered Hurricane Irene without any flooding or damage to the church or rectory. The extent of property damage was the loss of a small shade tree in the garden. Deo gratias!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
1-4 pm
Facilitator: Cynthia Strite, Ed.D.
Have you ever found yourself questioning why you prefer to live life in ways that are different from others? Have you ever felt stuck in a job or career track that just wasn’t a fit but you had no real answers as to why? Have you ever been in a relationship where you find yourself frustrated because you and your partner just don’t seem to be on the same page even for seemingly simple decision-making?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a personality assessment tool that can help you find answers to these questions and many more. The MBTI has its origins in the work of C. G. Jung, a Swiss physician and psychoanalyst who posited that we all have preferred ways to live our lives but without knowing the differences in the preferences, we are not only uninformed about our own preferences, we also tend to quickly form judgments about those who have preferences different from our own.
Whether you are in a life or career transition or just simply would like to learn more about yourself and others, sign up for our workshop on Saturday, September 24 from 1-4 pm.
Prior to the workshop, you will complete the Myers-Briggs questionnaire, it will be scored and you will receive your results on the day of the workshop. Join us for an exciting, fun and enlightening afternoon!
MBTI questionnaires are on the parish information table. Please answer all the questions on the inventory and return the form here by Sunday, September 18.
We welcome our new class of licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs):
Karin Bailey
Bob Cottrell
Ann Kemler
Nancy Laurel Pettersen
Kristine Villringer
Their principal ministry will be to assist the clergy in serving the cup during Holy Communion. In preparation, they took part in a 2.5 hour training led by Fr. Chris that incorporated theology, reflection and practice. They will join our longtime LEM, Donald Fraser, in this important ministry.
Grant, Almighty God, that those who minister the Bread of Life and cup of blessing may live in love and holiness according to your commandment, and at the last come to the joy of your heavenly feast with all your saints in light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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