Volume 1, Issue 6
January 24, 2019
THIS SUNDAY @ ST. JAMES
EPIPHANY 3 - January 27th
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

8:00AM
Eucharist Minister: Pam Johnston
Preacher: Dean Ryan
Celebrant: Rev. Jim

10:00AM
Ushers: Toni Alvarez & Angel Lazano
Lector: Dave Balabanis
Eucharist Minister: Jeni Kren
Preacher: Dean Ryan
Celebrant: Rev. Jim

UPCOMING DATES
Bible Study on the Apocrypha
Thursday, January 24 - 10:30AM
Fireside Room

Feast of the Presentation of our Lord (Candlemas)
Saturday, February 2 - 6:00PM

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

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

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

Central Deanery Meeting
Saturday, March 2 - 10:00AM
Outreach Ministries:
Food Bank & The Cottage Shop
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.
THE ST. JAMES FOOD BANK

One never knows when the big bumps in life are going to happen. When they do, it is a blessing to find there is someone and someplace that can help you until you get over those bumps and back onto level ground. Unfortunately, for others, the bumps can continue and sometimes feel insurmountable. For individuals and families in either situation, help is needed temporarily and sometimes ongoing.

One of the biggest challenges for many in our community is having the access and resources necessary to provide a meal. A 2014 "Fresno Hunger Report" revealed that 51% of the households surveyed reported "food insecurity" for one or more month of the year. Hunger and the lack of affordable food sources is a significant issue in the Fresno area.

St. James Food Bank, an outreach ministry of St. James Episcopal Cathedral, offers food to individuals and families in need.

Just last week, Food Bank volunteers reported an influx of new families coming to the Zoe Eden facility for food. The new families explained they had not come before, because they did not have a need; however, as federal employees furloughed by the government shutdown, they now had a need.

The St. James Food Bank has been operating for over two years and has provided food for thousands in the community. Three Wednesdays (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) a month they open the doors to approximately 130 families who depend on the Food Bank ministry to provide healthy meals.

Our volunteer staff works hard to provide a hot lunch while they wait for the food distribution. The young ones are cared for in the “Children’s Corner.” Other volunteers roll out shelves which are loaded with canned goods, meat, and vegetables. One the 3rd Wednesday of the month, large tarps are put on the floor and a plethora of fresh produce are available to the Food Bank patrons. Deacons Nancy and Terrance are there each week to offer help in any way they can to those who are finding life particularly hard at that moment. 

As with any ministry at St. James, it cannot function without volunteers. Every Wednesday the Food Bank operates there is a need for volunteers.
Over the past two years, the Food Bank's growth is due to the hard work of a small group of dedicated volunteers including some individuals who are both a patron of and volunteer at the Food Bank.

Volunteers roles are plenty and diverse. For example, a couple of volunteers assist with registration--checking off the names of those we feed. Other volunteers prep and serve the meal provided on 2nd and 4th Wednesday. While other volunteer stock shelves, unpack boxes, assist with the distribution, or oversee arts and crafts with the children. There are many, many ways you can help.

The St. James Food Bank is, along with The Cottage thrift shop, the most important ministries to our neighbors that we do--but it is up to all of us to sustain and grow these vital outreach ministries.

Who: Anyone 12 and older.

Time involved: 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday; 1:30PM - 4:30PM. Volunteers are not required/expected to work all Wednesday, but it is always appreciated.
THE COTTAGE SHOP (THRIFT STORE)

Tucked away in a far corner of the St. James Cathedral campus is an old house that contains hope for many people in the community. That house is called The Cottage and it is home to St. James’ thrift store (The Cottage Shop) that serves our neighborhood.

For those who worry from paycheck to paycheck, or who perhaps have families to clothe, or need toys and gadgets to entertain, or household necessities like kitchen appliances, or dishes, bakeware, or even a can opener to provide the evening meal; St. James’ thrift store ministry is a haven—that place where they can acquire household and personal goods at an affordable price. The Cottage Shop is also a place for individuals who cannot afford blankets and sheets to make a warm bed on cold winter nights or coats to put on the children as they leave for school in the morning. 

The Cottage Shop provides its inventory at low and affordable prices allowing necessary items to be accessible to those in need. In order for The Cottage Shop to provide this ministry it requires two crucial components: (1) Donation items; and, (2) Volunteers. Currently, the store has very limited hours of operations due to limited volunteer resources. The hours could and would be expanded if we can get for more volunteers to serve.

Here is how you can help The Cottage Shop a volunteer:

  • Sorting incoming items
  • Preparing Items for sale (Washing, cleaning, Polishing, etc.) 
  • Stocking items 
  • Running the Cash Register
  • Assisting customers
  • Internet Sales
  • Facebook /Social Media 
  • Create & Maintain Website 
  • Recruiting local support
  • Public Relations
  • Recruiting volunteers
  • Planning Special Events

This is a very important ministry to our neighbors. This is God at work in our neighborhood through the Cathedral community. Please consider helping The Cottage Shop by donating items and volunteering.

Who: Adult members of the Congregation

Time involved: Wednesdays and other days possible
"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.
THE MINISTRY OF DEACONS
Part Three: Deacon's Role at the Eucharist
In worship, a deacon’s role reflects what we do in our everyday lives. We are servants, taking care of those in need, and we are angelic messengers, telling others about Jesus and his Good News.

As in the ancient church, deacons prepare the table for the gifts of bread and wine. The liturgical name of this action is the Offertory, from the people's offerings of bread and wine and other gifts.

When the prayer book speaks of what the deacon does in the offertory or preparation, it uses domestic language, words of kitchen and dining room, food and drink, and a festive table where people gather to eat. A deacon "make [s] ready the Table for the celebration, preparing and placing upon it the bread and cup of wine," or to describe the action another way, in the Liturgy of the Sacrament deacons function as table waiters, assisting the Presider. The deacon stands at the presider’s right side and lifts the cup at the invitation to communion. The deacon also assists in the administration of communion administering either the cup of wine or the plate of bread. In these actions, deacons are living out their call to “servant ministry.” 

After communion, if there is a need to visit the sick or homebound, deacons and eucharistic visitors take bread and wine for the communion of the sick and other absent persons. A prayer is offered, using these or similar words: In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ's body and blood. We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.” (EOW2 62) After communion the Deacon, again as waiter, will clear the table in preparation for the closing prayer.

As with proclaiming the Gospel and leading the Prayers of the People, deacons are in our midst always reminding us that we are all called to be servants in the Name of Christ, and encouraging us to share in the serving ministry of Jesus.

Deacon Nancy and Deacon Terrance
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!

Our 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).
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
2019 ANNUAL MEETING
Thank you to Kathy and Pete Cabbiness for setting up the event in Zoe Eden--it was a beautiful setup. Thank you to everyone who brought food and drinks to share. Thank you to everyone who attended this vital meeting of the Cathedral Congregation.
Picture above: With the help of the Congregation, Dean Ryan installs the member of the Cathedral Chapter.
2018 & 2019 BUDGET OF THE CATHEDRAL
KICKOFF SUPERBOWL WEEKEND WITH
CANDLEMAS ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND
On Saturday, February 2nd at 6:00PM, in the Chapel, the Cathedral will celebrate the feast day of Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. The Feast commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem Temple forty days after Jesus' birth, in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law (Lv 12:2-8). 

There is a great deal to celebrate on February 2nd. 

  1. Candlemas is the third and final “festival of light” during the darkest time of year. The other festivals are the Nativity and Epiphany. 
  2. To celebrate the light, special candles can be lit during the Eucharist and candles utilized throughout the year are blessed. 
  3. February 2nd is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
  4. The Lord Jesus is presented by Joseph and Mary to the Temple. A man named Simeon, who was a priest sees baby Jesus and offers the prophetic words which we now know as the Nunc Dimittus—a song sung often during Evening Prayer.

An added bonus from some: With Sunday, February 3rd being Superbowl Sunday, come to Candlemas on Saturday night and you can spend all day Sunday preparing for the game. However, Church on Sunday will be over by 11:30AM—some four hours before kickoff. So join us for both, Candlemas on February 2nd and another “super” Sunday with your Cathedral Family on February 3rd. 
ADULT FORUM: CHURCH HISTORY SERIES
Starts Sunday, February 3rd
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 a 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, beginning on Sunday, February 3 at 9:15AM.
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!
ECW LUNCHEON AND MEETING, FEBRUARY 3
All women are invited to a very special ECW luncheon and meeting to be held on February 3rd in the White Room in Zoe Eden. The gathering will begin after the 10:00 service that morning.

Luncheon is being provided by the St. James Men’s Group as a thank you for all that ECW does for the Cathedral. Special Guest Dean Ryan will also attend. 

If you are planning on coming, please RSVP to Jane Fisher at claricejane@comcast.net or sign up on the sheets provided at the Cathedral on Sunday morning. The men want to make sure they prepare enough for everyone!
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.