Weekly Announcements
June 29, 2017

Our Garden is Growing, And We're Excited!
It's hard not to get excited with our Community Food Garden! I know we're in the early stages of our veggies growing -- but, are they ever! And, we've already delivered strawberries and lettuce to the Northfield Township Food Pantry -- the earliest we've ever done that.

After talking with Sandy Ritterson (our Garden Committee Chair), Glen Tracy (our Garden Operations head), and numerous plot-holders, we've found that there is plenty to be excited about!

  • Envisioning new possibilities. We have room and plans for a shed, a greenhouse, and expansion of the Garden plots! We are learning new ways to grow crops, being environmentally sensitive, and sharing those ideas amongst the plot-holders. All of this is possible because of our successful Capital Campaign and the generosity of our parishioners.
     
  • Extending our reach into the Community. Of our 12 individual/family plots, we now have 5 that are rented by non-parishioners. They called up after seeing our Garden inquiring if they could have a plot. We've been able to accommodate them, and they are very grateful. For us, it's a win-win, as we want to live more fully into being a community garden.
     
  • Having a wonderful Garden "consultant". Her name is Cathy Thomas. Beyond giving us left-over plants from the Chicago Botanic Garden for our Pantry plots, she's given us great counsel on many Garden items. She's a 17 year veteran of the Botanic Garden and is a Boy Scout Mom who initially got involved in an Eagle Scout project in our Garden last fall. She's given us her wisdom and thoughts -- pro bono!
     
  • Being part of something bigger. Yes, it's bigger -- world hunger. While it's a global problem, there's also a local need as we've found out with the 700+ "food insecure" clients at the Northfield Food Pantry. That's why we have an annual goal of donating 1,800-2,000 pounds of produce to the Food Pantry. And, yes, it's a way to comply with Jesus' second command to "love your neighbor as yourself".
     
  • Being better stewards of God's creation. Along with the entire "500 Property" long range plan, we're using the space in a responsible way, being environmentally sensitive and helping regenerate the land. And, yes, we're a visible example of a community working together and enjoying our labor.
There's more -- like having a new Herb Garden, available for parishioners to pick at any time. But, I think you "get the idea(s)" of why we're excited with our Garden this year. And, we're very grateful for our Parish's support.
 
Your "Rookie Gardening" Deacon,
Ron
 
Garden Update
Join Us for Some Light Weeding And Harvesting
This Saturday, 9:00 a.m.

The Community Food Garden is already green and beautiful this year! Even if you aren't a plot holder, you can still help us out with some light weeding and harvesting this Saturday morning.  No experience necessary! Our garden provides over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce to the Northfield Township Food Pantry and this is a great way to be a part of the good work that is being done!  Enjoy these pictures from Sandy Ritterson of our green garden and recent strawberry harvest. 
Garden Update

More strawberries and peas were delivered to the Food Pantry this week!  The herbs are starting to take off.  We've got basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, chives, cilantro, dill, tarragon, and flat leaf parsley. 

-Sandy Ritterson
Sunday Worship
Sunday, July 2nd

8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I

9:15 a.m.
30 Worthy Minutes

10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II

11:00 a.m.
Fellowship
for more readings from the week.

Want to contact us? Need directions to the church?Visit  www.stjamestheless.org for 
more information about events, sermons and more!


Rev. Lisa Continuing Education
The Rev. Lisa Senuta is away June 19-June 30th for Continuing Education. This is the final residency with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. She is working toward a Certificate of Preparation as a Spiritual Director. As a trained director she will be better able to listen to individuals and groups for the ways they are invited to grow spiritually.  Think of it as a spiritual life coach. While away please direct your non-emergency questions to the staff and wardens of the parish. Should there be a time sensitive question please email her. Should it be an emergency please contact Deacon Ron and or Rev. Lisa on cell phones. 
SJTL 2nd Annual Golf Outing
Our 2nd Annual Golf Outing in scheduled for Sunday, July 16th at Willow Hill Golf Course (1350 E. Willow Rd., Northbrook). At 1:30 p.m. there will be a Short Game Clinic taught by Bob Dickman, Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year. A 9 hole "shotgun start" at 2:30 p.m. After wrapping up the 9 holes, we will head back to the church for a potluck dinner, replete with outstanding golf prizes!

The fee for the clinic, golf game, and dinner are $25 if walking, $35 with a cart.

This year we can accommodate 32-40 people (up from 24 last year), so bring a friend or two -- but just let us know! We will have a few "rangers" to help monitor play, making sure all golfers keep up with the group ahead!

A sign-up sheet is available in the Parish Hall! In the mean time, put it on your calendar!  Signup deadline is Friday, June 30th. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Carini, Phil Montross, or Ron Valentine!
Volunteers are Appreciated and Needed!
A BIG Thank You From the Grove of Northbrook
for a successful outing at the Chicago Botanic Garden last week. We needed all the volunteers as it was a large turnout of nursing home residents. Thanks to our volunteers -- Linda, Tom, Sue, Simon, Al, Bill, Ron, Barbara -- the hands and feet of Christ.
SERMON STORYTIME
returns June 25-September 3
Read a story to the littlest members of our church!

Books are provided--just bring your love!
Contact kClare to request a Sunday!
A Just Harvest in July
We're will be taking a break from our monthly ministry with A Just Harvest in July.  But that doesn't mean the the meal won't happen!

The church reserves $250 a month to support our ministry with A Just Harvest.  In July we will give this money directly to A Just Harvest so they may purchase the groceries they need to serve the meal in our absence.

Our Captain for the August 1st Dinner will be Ron Valentine. You can signup in advance here:
Meditation
Most of us experience God's real and wonderful presence in nature. A beautiful sunset, flowers or blue sky can open our spirit like nothing else. If you would like to try a meditation experience in nature Rev. Lisa is offering two opportunities. 

Chicago Botanic Garden
July 10th at 1:00 p.m.
July 18th at 7:00 p.m.
(Meet at the outdoor entrance.)

Labyrinth Walk at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, Deerfield
July 24th at 1:00 p.m.
July 25th at 7:00 p.m.
(Meet at the Labyrinth end of the parking lot.)
Stewardship
As many of you know, our Pledge Campaign is ongoing through the year! Currently the church is in good financial standing and we are within 10% of our goal thanks to those of you who have already pledged! If you haven't pledged yet, there is still time.  And if you have pledged and find yourself in a position to increase your pledge you can help us bridge the gap!

Your Pledge is Important And Makes A Difference In The Life Of The Parish!
Fulfilled pledges make up the bulk of our operating budget and support the people, programs, and facilities that make St. James the Less a wonderful place!  Things like:
  • Vibrant Worship
  • New Music Programs
  • Special Services
  • Godly Play
  • Living Compass
  • Clergy
  • Staff
  • Building and Grounds Maintenance 
Pledge Online

Visit  www.stjamestheless.org/giving to make your pledge online and learn more about what a pledge is and what it means to our community.
Sabbatical 2017
Rev. Lisa will be embarking on a 3 Month Sabbatical September - November made possible through the Lily Endowment whose purpose in grant making "is to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians, primarily by helping to strengthen their congregations."  

Winning the grant means that St. James the Less parishioners will be invited to go on a parallel journey with Rev. Lisa through small group events and more!
Vestry & Reports
New Vestry Meeting Minutes and Reports!

Reports from the most recent Vestry meeting are being made available to you by clicking the individual links below:

Vestry Minutes
Vestry Financial Report
Dedicated Accounts Report
Calendar of St. James the Less
Faithful Departed

A Memorial Service for Cynthia and Mac Patterson will be held on July 1st at 10:30 a.m. at St. James the Less.

A Memorial Service for John Beatty will be July 7th at 4 p.m. at St. James the Less .

A private interment for Rachel Bischoff will be held for the members of her family on July 8th at 11:00 a.m.  

An Internment of the notes that we wrote last year in memory of Anne Schnering will be held on July 30th.
 
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace. AMEN
This Week

Friday, June 30
 -

 9:30 a.m., SJTL Prayer Group
Saturday, July 1 - 10:30 a.m., Memorial Service for Cynthia & Mac Patterson
Sunday, July 2


 -
-
-
-		 8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:15 a.m., 30 Worthy Minutes 
10:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II
11:00 a.m., Fellowship
Tuesday, July 4 -

 Office Closed for Independence day
Looking Ahead

Friday, July 7 4:00 p.m. Memorial Service for John Beatty
Tuesday, July 11 7:00 p.m. Vestry Meeting
Sunday, July 16 1:30 p.m. St. James the Less 2nd Annual Golf Outing
Monday, July 24 7:30 p.m. Dick Peterson's Big Band Rehearsal
Parish Staff Contacts  

Rev. Lisa Senuta, Rector | lsenuta@stjamestheless.org | (847) 446-8430 x 201
Rev. Ron Valentine, Deacon | chaplain@stjamestheless.org | (847) 446-8430 x 208
Josh Langoff, Director of Music Ministries | ljlanghoff@comcast.net | (847) 446-8430
Virginia Hunt, Administrative Assistant | virginia@stjamestheless.org | (847) 446-8430 x. 200
kClare McKellaston, Director of Children and Youth Ministries  |  kClare@stjamestheless.org  
Coty Colson, Communication Coordinator | coty@stjamestheless.org | ( 847) 446-8430 x 202
Joanne Straughn, Bookkeeper | bookkeeper@stjamestheless.org | (847) 446-8430 x 202
Kathleen Dewey, Senior Warden | vestry@stjamestheless.org

ST. JAMES THE LESS PRAYER LIST

(For the week commencing Sunday, June 25, 2017)
      
From the Chicago Diocesan Cycle of Prayer : We pray for Youth and Staff who will participate in Diocesan Summer Camp this summer.  We also pray for Congregations in the Peoria Deanery: All Saints in Moline, St. Paul's in Peoria, St. Paul's in Warsaw,  and in our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and Renk, South Sudan: La Santa Cruz in Oaxaca; St. Michael in Geiger Centre.

For the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar:  We pray for all the clergy and people of the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar.  We pray for Bishop Todd & Rev. Patsy McGregor on pilgrimage at Lourdes, France and in Israel .

For those who are sick:  O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers; mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
Dunbar  Abston (friend of John Roberts)
Debra High Altschul (parishioner)
Carole Alwardt  (resident of The Grove)
Mary  Arnieri (friend of Miriam Berry)
Glen Bennett Jr. (friend of Linda Jensen)
Al Berggren (parishioner)
Daniel Berry (son of Miriam Berry)
Elisa  Berry (daughter-in-law of Miriam Berry)
Robie  Briggs (brother of Pam Hardy)  
Bill  Burke (parishioner)
Debbie Carpenter (sister of David Mason)
Sandra Carpenter (sister of Shari Noble)
Kathleen Cleven (parishioner)
Don Corfield (uncle of Yvonne Watson)
Gerry Cox (father of Rev. Patsy McGregor)
The David Family (friends of Lynne Pike)
Silvio DeBartelmaise (friend of John Roberts)
Connor Dolge (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie)  
Emily Fifield (friend of Amy Berry)
Tim Fischer (friend of Sue Babbs)
Samantha Friese (niece of Amy Fahey)
Anne Marie Glowacki (daughter of Linda Jensen)
Fred Golden (father of Colleen Schipfer)
Anna Hasch (mother of Anita Ruesch)
Andrew Hensel (friend of Mary Allen)
Chip Herndon (parishioner)
Helen Janovic  (mother of Shari Noble)
Ken Killion (friend of Kathy Smith)
Courtney Koshgarian (friend of Peggy Greene)
Gail Kotin (parishioner)
Ileene Kotin (mother of Gail Kotin)
Bob Kuhn (father of Maureen Burke & Mary Saunders)
Allen  Liss (partner of Pam Hardy)
Holly Madigan (friend of Sandy & Bert Getz Sr)
Peggy Mason (parishioner)
Frank  Massolini (friend of Ron Valentine)
Karen  Miller (friend of Donna Babiarz)
Karen Mills Hensley  (daughter of Mike Mills)
Erin Murray (special friend of Pam Hardy, Allen and Brandon)
Jane  O'Reilly, parents, Beth & Sean, & siblings, Maggie & Patrick  
                                        (Jane is the great-niece of Kathleen Cleven)
Margot Peterson  (daughter-in-law of Dick Peterson)
Joanie Phillips (wife of Gary Phillips)
Joe Pryzbilla   (friend of Ron Valentine)
Eric Ramos (resident of The Grove)
Donald P. Rand (friend of John Roberts)
Lavera Ray  (resident of The Grove)
Emily Roane (twin sister of Kathy Roane)
Lucy Roe (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie)  
Ann Roome (former parishioner)
Dale  Ruesch (father-in-law of Anita Ruesch)
Jill Ruesch (cousin of Anita Ruesch)
Patti Ruff (fiancée of Barbara Stutz's son)
David Schroeder (son-in-law of Sally Neuert)
Henry Schwenk (parishioner)
Joan Scott (resident of The Grove)
John Sivright (friend of John Roberts and others)
Sally Smith (friend of Debby & Ron Valentine)
Kathy Stutz (daughter-in-law of Barbara Stutz)
Brad T. (friend of Ron & Debby Valentine)
Jamie Trotter (parishioner)
Nancy Wais (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Elena Walke (friend of Jack & Tricia Kessie)
Tom White (son of John White)
Alice Wirtz (friend of Nancy Whiteman)
Mary Woodward  (resident of The Grove)
Addison & her parents & brother   (cousin of kClare McKellaston)
Ashley   (friend of Debby Valentine)
Beth     (friend of Kathleen Dewey)
Daniel   (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Dean   (friend of Marilee McGowan)
Elizabeth    (employee of Sarah Schneider)
Helen   (friend of Amy Fahey)
Janet   (friend of Kathleen Cleven)
Kelly   (niece of Marilee McGowan)
Kelly & Josh     
Laura & Phil    (friends of Nancy Whiteman)
Mandy   (friend of Ron & Debby Valentine's daughter)
Mike    (friend of Lynne Pike)
Peggy   (friend of Lynne Pike)
Stacy   (sister of Cory Schipfer)
Tucker    (friend of Ron & Debby Valentine)
 
For those who have died:   Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer: Grant them your peace;  let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Brad Burgess (friend of Debby & Ron Valentine)

For those who are grieving:  Gracious God, surround all who mourn this day with your continuing compassion.  When grief seems never-ending, take them one step at a time along your road of death and resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
Prayers may be added to this list by completing the Prayer Request Card, which can be found in the pews and Parish Hall, or by emailing Sue Babbs at suebabbs385@gmail.com.
 
We invite you to join the Prayer Group which meets on Friday mornings, or the Prayer Network which receives email notifications and prays for needs as they are shared with us.  Contact Sue Babbs or Rev Ron Valentine for further information.
Have and Announcement of Upcoming Event?
Please send Weekly Announcements to Coty Colson at coty@stjamestheless.org byTuesday at noon.  Please include the following information: 
  • What is the "why" of this announcement? (For example, if you're setting up a service project, why do you feel excited about this event and why should others join you?)
  • Details of the event or announcement (i.e. Location, Date, Time)
  • Your contact information.