Volume 1, Issue 8
February 07, 2019
THIS SUNDAY @ ST. JAMES
EPIPHANY 5 - February 10
Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13]
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
Psalm 138

8:00AM
Preacher: Deacon Nancy
Celebrant: Dean Ryan

10:00AM
Ushers: TBD
Lector: Jane Fisher
Eucharist Minister: Pete Cabbiness
Preacher: Deacon Nancy
Celebrant: Dean Ryan

UPCOMING DATES
Sunday School Startup
Town Hall with the Dean
Sunday, February 10 - 11:30AM
White Room

Chapter Meeting
Sunday, February 17 - 11:30AM
White Room

Handbell Rehearsal
Sunday, February 17 - 1:00PM
Cathedral Loft

Newcomers Luncheon
Sunday, February 24 - 11:30AM
White Room

Interfaith Scholar Weekend
March 1st - 3rd

Men's Breakfast
Saturday, March 2 - 7:00AM
Yosemite Falls Cafe

Central Deanery Meeting
Saturday, March 2 - 10:00AM
CATHEDRAL LIFE AND FELLOWSHIP
by Emily Niblick
Each week, in both the “Midweek Missive” and “The Gold Sheet” we will spotlight different ministries of the Cathedral. Our ministries are the lifeblood of the Cathedral’s mission and vision and they empower us to be the Church between Sundays. Amid our journey to grow and continue thriving, we need others to share their time, energy, wisdom, and leadership in the Cathedral’s ministries. We hope you will be inspired by and called to serve in one or more of the ministries featured throughout the season of Epiphany.
Some churches can be best be described as “easy in-easy out” churches. You know the type—congregants show up only on Sunday mornings for worship, stay for an hour, and then disappear—then nothing happens at the church until the next Sunday Now, in the aforementioned church there is no vitality between Sundays. In fact, the congregation must be resuscitated each Sunday morning. 

Thankfully, this is not our situation at St. James. There is a lot happening between the Sundays and can expected continued growth in the future. Cathedral Life and Fellowship ministries are essentials to helping activities happen both on Sundays and between Sundays.

For example, the Episcopal Church Women of St. James (ECW) has been recently reformed and already has enriched cathedral life by hosting a Thanksgiving luncheon for everyone, as well as coordinating a luncheon following the installation of Dean. The group is growing very nicely, making plans for the future, and last Sunday participated in a kickoff (how appropriate given it was Super Bowl Sunday) meeting for this new year. Thirty women of St. James met for fellowship.

Another fellowship group eager to enrich the life and fellowship of the Cathedral was the St. James Men’s Group. Showing up in force last Sunday they catered the luncheon for the ECW—and cleaned up afterwards! Thank you gentlemen!

Sunday worship is only a portion of the Cathedral life and vitality. As members of God’s church, we called to be involved and investment in the Cathedral’s life more than one hour a week. The Cathedral Life and Fellowship ministries gives each of us an opportunity to extend hospitality and thankfulness to our Cathedral family through acts of welcome, kindness, and hospitality. 

Another example of way we can serve in hospitality of the Cathedral is to be an usher/greeter on Sunday or during other services/events in the week. ow about being an usher or read the scripture at worship? St. James is always looking for individuals to provide goodies for the coffee hour. All of us, will have many opportunities to welcome visitors, introduce them to others in the congregation, and answer any questions they might have about St. James.

There are so many ways that we can not only bring all of us together but to invite others to be a part of our wonderful Cathedral congregation.
"TO SHARE OUR GIFTS" PRAYER
in this Season of Epiphany

All that we are, all that we have, and all that we will become is a gift from God. Gracious and loving Creator, do not let us neglect Your Spirit or the gifts You have bestowed upon us. Give us the courage to share these gifts with our Cathedral community and beyond. Grant that we might exercise our gifts with humility and to Your glory alone. O God, help us to see the good work You have ready for us, teach us to embrace that work with willingness and joy, and may we always faithfully share with your beloved creation the many gifts you have entrusted to us. We pray with grateful hearts, in the name of the One true light and hope, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTUP
TOWN HALL MEETING WITH THE DEAN
Our children are the future of the Church! We are called by God to support, nurture, and empower their future in the Church! This is a responsibility that is be shared by the whole Cathedral congregation, not just by a few individuals and not just by the parents/guardians of our current children.

We not called to minister "to" our children, we are called to minister “with” and “for” our children!

This Sunday, February 10th at 11:30AM in the White Room (Zoe Eden), Dean Ryan will host a town hall meeting to discuss the future of a Sunday School program at St. James. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND - You do not need to have school-aged children.

In his annual meeting address, Dean Ryan said it is crucial that St. James offer ministries centered around the children and youth of the Cathedral congregation. The goal is to start a Sunday School program by the start of the next school year (August/September 2019).
DEAN RYAN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST HATE
Walmart Sends the Newman Family a Pillow with Nazi Symbolism
Dean Ryan was in the news this week. Television and print media in Fresno shared the Dean's Ryan story surrounding a recent purchase of a pillow at Walmart.com.

The Newmans brought the Paris-themed accent pillow for their living room a few weeks ago. This week, as Lexie was playing with the pillow, Dean Ryan realized the pillow also contained some distributing imagery from the Nazi Reich.

Dean Ryan attempted to contact Walmart and posted the story on his Facebook page. Local media in the Fresno area picked up the story and the story also ran in other parts of the country on Thursday.

To read the Fresno Bee's article, click here .

To see the coverage from Fresno's CBS/NBC affiliates, click here .
SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 17, 2019
QUARTERLY FOOD BANK FREE-WILL OFFERING
Did you know . . . on an average, the St. James Food Bank feeds 170 families per week.

Did you know . . . on average Smart & Final donates 300+ pounds of meat per week.

Did you know . . . thanks to prior quarterly free-will ingatherings, YOU, the St. James Family gives us the fund to purchase 20 cubic foot freezers to accommodate all the frozen items.

Did you know . . . the St. James Food Bank budget has grown to $17,000/year and because of YOU we are able to reach our budgetary goals.

Did you know . . . On an average, each week 20 volunteers serve at the Food Bank.  These volunteers are the backbone on this vital community based ministry.

Did you know . . .over the last four months, volunteers have donated a total 809 hours of service to the St. James Food Bank.

Did you know . . . because of YOUR donations of mittens, hats, and scarves, our “Yellow Bag” Ministry grew in December.

On Sunday, February 17th, during both the 8:00AM and 10:00AM services, we are inviting the Cathedral Congregation to participate in the quarterly free-will offering to support the St. James Food Bank. On this special Sunday, all cash gifts and any checks with the memo line “Food Bank” offered during the collection will be given to support the ministry of the St. James Food Bank.

The St. James Food Bank is blessed to have YOUR support—YOUR financial and food donations. This ministry is thriving because of your generosity and prayers. THANK YOU!

Please support the St. James Food Bank on Sunday, February 17th. 
LOOKING BACK AT JOY-FILLED WEEKEND
Thank you to Kathy Cabbiness for an amazing feast after Saturday night's Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Candlemas)
During the Adult Forum, 33 people gathered for the first of three sessions on Church History led by Stan Boone.
The joyful sound of the choir under the leadership and guidance of Tim Peargin and Sherah Moore-Burdick.
The St. James Episcopal Church Women gather for a kickoff luncheon catered by the St. James Men's Group.
The Preservation Society of St. James shares some history with the ECW.
BUILDINGS AND GROUND UPDATE
by Pete Cabbiness, Junior Warden
Since the beginning of the year, we have been focused on the following key areas regarding the use and improvement of our facilities.

  • Repairing, updating and maintaining our core HVAC, plumbing, electrical, irrigation and plumbing systems. Many of our systems are antiquated and have not been properly maintained for many years. This means that simple repairs are not simple at all due to parts unavailability. Many of the parts needed for our infrastructure systems must be fabricated. These repairs and upgrades are ongoing and will continue for several months.

  • Continuing implementation of our campus safety plan. We are incrementally, as funds allow, working with our Vendors and Contractors on each component of the safety plan. You will see further changes in vegetation and tree control, lighting, campus access, key and alarm control, door, lock and window changes, etc. as we progress through the year. The campus will look and operate very differently in the future and will continue to be a safe place for everyone. I am pleased to report a STEEP DECLINE in security incidents, events and contacts over the last few months pursuant to the daily security and alarm reports that we receive and review.

  • Facility usage. In addition to our regular, long term tenants (FIV, VP, Beth David, etc.), we have been steadily increasing our Zoe Eden event rentals. These events include wedding receptions, holiday parties, anniversary parties, quinceaneras, festival parties, community group events, non-profit organization events, basketball tournaments, children’s play days and so on. This is in addition to the additional use of our buildings by the Church and Diocese.

We are looking forward to many exciting changes and improvements this year. Your support and participation are both needed and deeply appreciated.  
ADULT FORUM: CHURCH HISTORY SERIES
Want to learn of our church’s early foundings by Henry VIII? Henry’s wives? Have you wondered if Henry created a religion just to get a divorce? How did a young teenage King start a “reformation”?

Please join us at the Adult Forum for the continuation of the three-part discussion on the formation of the Anglican church. The discussion will examine English history before the reign of Henry VIII and the formation of the English Church through the reigns of Henry’s children: Edward, Mary and end with Elizabeth’s reign. 

Please join Stan Boone as he leads the discussion at the Adult Forum. The final two sessions are Sunday, February 10 & 24 at 9:15AM. No Forum on February 17th.
HANDBELL CHOIR TO RESUME REHEARSALS
All are welcome to participate
The St. James Handbell Choir will resume rehearsals on Sunday, February 17th at 1:00PM. The Handbell Choir is under the direction of Kourinthia Burton. Rehearsals will continue on Feb. 24th and Mar. 3rd in preparation for a musical offering on Sunday, March 10th during the prelude.

Rehearsals will continue in March and April for offerings on Sunday, March 24th and Easter Sunday, April 21st. A passion to learn and an enjoyment of music is all that is required. 
2018 YEAR-END GIVING STATEMENTS
By February 15th, Year-End Giving Statements will be mailed. If you do not receive a statement by February 22nd, please contact St. James Treasure, Cathy Peck . 
On March 1-3, 2019, we invite you to join us for the 22nd Annual Interfaith Scholar Weekend. St. James Episcopal Cathedral is one of the sponsors of this incredible event. This year’s featured scholar is the Reverend Doctor Thandeka, President of Love Beyond Belief Inc.

The Friday evening opening keynote at Fresno State (“Got race? America’s most successful Ad Campaign”) and the Sunday morning Worship at the Unitarian Church of Fresno (The Hope Factor: “Love Beyond Belief Today”) are free and open to the public!

Saturday's full-day program requires participants to register. Saturday's program (complete with vegetarian breakfast and lunch!) costs $45 before February 15th, $50 up to February 28th and $55 at the door. Students, believe it or not, can enjoy the day, complete with 2 meals, for only $10!

For much more information about the Interfaith Scholar Weekend and to register for Saturday's program hosted Temple Beth Israel, please visit: www.interfaithscholar.org
FOOD BANK COLLECTION
Thanks to the generosity of the St. James community, our Food Bank guests are now enjoying peanut butter and oatmeal.

Throughout Epiphany, we are asking our Cathedral Congregation to bring jelly (for PB&J sandwiches). We’ll take any variety, but grape and strawberry are two kids’ favorites. Thank you!
If you have any feedback, comments, or questions for the Midweek Missive Editors, please email us . Submissions to the Midweek Missive are welcomed and must be submitted to midweek@stjamesfresno.org by Tuesday at noon.