Chapel Notes
Volume XLI Issue 12 | September Edition

Belief Into Action

One of the things I love about St. James is our mission statement: Translating Belief Into Action. It is a great statement of how Methodists have often understood our call to be disciples of Jesus and an excellent summary of the letter of James found in the New Testament. Throughout September, we will use a passage from the book of James in all three of our Sunday worship services. The preachers will sometimes be different, the worship may occur in different places, and the content of the worship services will vary; however, we will be listening to the same texts to hear what God is saying to us as St. James UMC.

As some of our staff read these passages together, we were struck by how often the image of mirrors and reflecting Christ appears in James. So our worship series for September is entitled: "True Reflection: Living In Christ's Image." Through Christ, we are able to translate our belief into action. When our faith in Christ shapes our life, then we are able to reflect God's love to the world.

St. James has many opportunities to study our common beliefs through Sunday School, small groups, and other learning ministries. We also have many ways you can put your faith to practice through our Belief In Action committee. Look over some of the ministries highlighted in this edition of Chapel Notes, and think about what ministries will help you more truly reflect the image of Christ to others.
 
Peace,
Max


New Member Class

New Member Class
Have you recently joined St. James? Are you interested in joining the church? Join us for a new member class and learn about St. James and your place in it! Classes will be led by Rev. Max Vincent and Rev. AnnaKate Rawles on September 16, 23, and 30 from 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the Conference Room. Interested? Contact Rev. AnnaKate Rawles at  [email protected].
                                                   
Adult Education



Adult Education 
Come to the third floor on September 16 at 9:45 am for a time of coffee and fellowship and to learn about what's happening in Adult Sunday School classes this semester. There will also be representatives from the SJUMC library  to share about how you can be connected to the resources in that space. This is a great opportunity for all to learn more about what's happening in Adult Education at SJUMC - especially those who have not connected to a Sunday School Class.


Disciple Bible Study
Starting Sunday, September 16, Rev. Max Vincent will lead a Disciple 1 Bible Study Course. The Disciple Bible study gives the Old and New Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God. Disciple draws upon the work of scholars, personal Bible reading and study, and dynamic group discussion to aid understanding of the Bible. This thirty-four week course will be offered on Sunday evenings at 6:15 p.m.. To get involved, contact Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards at [email protected]. Childcare available upon request.

Financial Peace University
What if you were following a plan for your money that you KNEW worked? With Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, you CAN take control of your money, get out of debt, and create a plan for your future. This 9-week-course will meet on Sunday evenings at 6:15 p.m. and will begin on September 16. You can purchase a starter kit from the church for $85. Childcare available upon request. For more information or to sign up, please contact Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards at [email protected]

 
New Parenting Class
Join Dr. Holly Middleton, Rev. Dr. Erin Reed Cooper and Rev. Max Vincent for "Raising Children from the Inside Out: Exploring the Spirituality of Children". This parenting course is designed to explore how parents might engage in developmentally appropriate ways to celebrate, encourage, and support children as they grow from the inside out. This
six-week course will start on September 23 and will meet on
Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall at St. James UMC. Questions? Contact Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards at [email protected].

Parenting Class Instructors: Dr. Holly Middleton is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in care for people struggling with attention issues, anxiety, depression, and grief. She consults with parent groups throughout Atlanta on topics of raising children in the modern age.

Rev. Dr. Erin Reed Cooper is the director of family ministries at St. James UMC. She is passionate about involvement of children and youth in the worshipping body of the Church, and creating sacred spaces within the home.

Rev. Max Vincent is the senior pastor of St. James UMC. Max has a fourteen year old son and has no idea what he's doing, but it has greatly increased his prayer life.


Wednesday Pastoral Teaching

Wednesday Pastoral Teaching (WPT)
Wednesday Pastoral Teaching will resume on Wednesday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. We will discuss  The Bible: A Biography by Karen Armstrong


 
Wednesday Night Supper

Wednesday Night Supper (WNS) 
Let's gather together on Wednesday, September 5 to kick off the season of Wednesday Night Supper with a cookout and an evening of fellowship.
Dinner begins at 5:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. See you there!

September 12 - BINGO
September 19 - United Methodist Children's Home
September 26 - Hear from Rev. Max Vincent

Announcements

Preschool Enrichment Program (PEP)
Registration for the Preschool Enrichment Program (PEP) ends September 7. Find more information online at stjamesatlanta.org/pep. Questions? Contact our Activities Office at [email protected].

The Table Turns One
The Table is turning one year old, and we want to celebrate with you! Join us for a special service of worship on Sunday, September 9, at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Then, stick around for a cookout on the patio, featuring burgers, hot dogs, and - of course - birthday cake. All are welcome, so bring a friend and celebrate with us!

Fall Consignment Sale
Registration is now open for consignors, volunteers, and child care. Sign up as a consignor to sell your gently used kid's items. Volunteer to earn a higher percentage of your sold items and shop early at the presale on Thursday, September 13. Free childcare during your volunteer shift. Visit stjamesatlanta.org/consignment-sale/ to learn more and register!"

Community Food Trucks
Join St. James UMC and The Table Atlanta for the final Community Food Trucks of the season on September 20 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Gather with us in the St. James parking lot for great food, family games, music, and inflatables!

Children's Ministry

Volunteers Needed
Your Children's Ministry is looking forward to one of our biggest community events and fundraisers of the year, and we would love your help in representing St. James. The Fall Consignment Sale will be held on September 13-15, and volunteers are they key to a smooth sale. Please consider volunteering your time either during the sale or on the days prior. For more information, visit stjamesatlanta.org/consignment-sale/ or email [email protected].

Children's Sunday School
The 2018-2019 Year of Children's Sunday School will kick-off on September 9 at 9:45 a.m.! During this time, children will attend their new classes and parents will gather for a short time in the Shell Lobby for a short informational meeting, light snacks, coffee, and fellowship. For more information, or to volunteer to donate food items, please stop by the office or email [email protected].

Information
All children have a place to be involved at St. James!  From 6th Grade all the way down to birth, we have a group for you and your family. For more information, contact [email protected]!

Youth Ministry

St. James God & Life Program
St. James is pleased to offer the Protestant religious awards to the Scouts of Troop and Crew 370 this fall. The program will be part of the Wednesday Night Supper series at St. James. Dinner is from 5:45-6:30 p.m. and the group discussion program is 6:30-7:30 p.m., ending just in time for the troop meeting. We will start September 12th and meet on seven Wednesday evenings throughout the fall. The Scouts will be presented their awards at Scout Sunday on February 10th.

Confirmation Begins Soon
Confirmation is an exciting opportunity for youth to learn about faith and claim it for themselves. This fall, St. James is inviting rising seventh and eighth graders to be a part of this year's confirmation class. An orientation meeting will be held on Sunday, September 2. Register and see a full schedule of events at bit.ly/2w8Djk8Questions? Please contact Erin at [email protected] or Ryan at [email protected]

Launch Sunday
On September 9 we will celebrate Launch Sunday and the 1st anniversary of The Table Atlanta at the same time! Parents and students are invited to a cookout right after The Table at 6:00 p.m. After we eat and play some games youth will be invited to the youth room to spend time as a group. This will be a fantastic time for our youth to invite their friends.

Sunday Night Youth
After some careful consideration and discussions, we have decided to extend Sunday Night Youth for an additional half hour. Starting on September 9, Sunday Night Youth will go from 6:00-8:00. We are thrilled to make this change and know that it will make a great impact on our group.

Open House
On September 16 we will host an open house for youth, as well as their loved ones. We will give the adults a look at what a typical Sunday Night Youth gathering looks like and showcase our fall events.

Save The Date
Our Fall Retreat 2018 will be from October 26-28! Mark your calendars: we will be provide more information at our Open House on September 16.

Email Newsletter
To receive the bi-monthly Connexion, email Ryan at [email protected].



The Table

September WORSHIP|SERVICE at The Table
Did you know that, each month, The Table participates in activities to serve our greater community as part of our worship together? In September, we will work together to create hand-made prayer tassels and prayer cards for the residents of Mann House. This small token will be a loving reminder to these seniors that they are surrounded by a community that continues to love and pray for them. We hope you'll join us at The Table Atlanta on Sunday, September 30 at 5:00 p.m. for this month's WORSHIP|SERVICE. All are invited to come and be a part of living out faith in worship and service!

Preschool Blessing at The Table
On Sunday, September 30, The Table invites all preschool families, teachers, and staff to join us for a blessing to kick off the school year. During our regular 5:00 p.m. worship, we will offer a special time to honor the ministry of St. James' Preschool and bless those who learn and work here. People of all ages are welcome! We hope that you will join us in the Fellowship Hall as we praise God and celebrate our community.

Celebrations and Concerns

Hal Collins-Mann House (Sandy Springs)
Trisha Evans-Son Scott Evans' home (Carrolton)
Barbara Mitchell-Sunrise (Buckhead)
Gerre Moddelmog-Lenbrook Rehab
Lawrence Montgomery-Mann House (Sandy Springs)
Wayne Paulk-Pruitt Healthacre

Sympathy to the Kite family on the passing of Helen Kite on August 25. The service was held on September 1. 

Giving

In Memory of Eddie Austin
Jo Allegood Lewis

Worship at The Table



Sunday, September 2
"Becoming Doers"
8:45 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. Rev. AnnaKate Rawles
5:00 p.m. Calissa Dauterman
James 1:17-27

Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of Hugh and Dorothy Thornberry by their family.

Sunday, September 9
" Welcoming All"
8:45 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. Rev. AnnaKate Rawles
5:00 p.m. Dr. Holly Middleton
James 2:1-10, 14-17
(Birthday Celebration for the Table) 

Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of Wanda Carnahan by her husband, Chuck, and their son, Dave.

Sunday, September 16
"Showing Up with Our Service"
8:45 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. Rev. Max Vincent
5:00 p.m. Rev. AnnaKate Rawles

James 3:1-12

Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of their parents, Martha and Jim Hale, by Susan Hale Lester, Carol Hale Connelly, and Michael Hale.

Sunday, September 23
"Making Peace"
8:45 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. Rev. Max Vincent
5:00 p.m. Rev. Max Vincent
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8

Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of Rex Michel by his family.

Sunday, September 30
"Praying Together?"
8:45 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards
5:00 p.m. Rev. Anna Kate Rawles
James 5:13-20
(WORSHIP I SERVICE)

Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God by Ann and Tom Downing in loving memory of their parents, The Rev. W. F. and Georgia Haynes and Mildred and John Downing.




Music Ministry

Music Lessons at St. James
Did you know that you could take private music lessons at St. James? This fall, we will have teachers offering individual lessons in voice, trumpet and piano. Lessons may be scheduled in 30 or 60 minute intervals and will be taught in St. James' music suite. Is there a  different instrument you'd like to study? Let us know, and we'll try to help find the right teacher for you. Contact  Michael Ervin at [email protected].

Lucy Stearns (M.M. Vocal Performance) is now accepting piano and voice students of all ages to study beginning piano and classical, musical theater, or jazz vocal lessons at any level. Contact Lucy at [email protected].

Stephanie Tuck (M.M. Trumpet Performance) is now  accepting trumpet students of all ages and levels. Contact Stephanie at [email protected].

Austin Kirckof (M.M. Piano Performance) is now accepting piano students of all ages and levels. Contact Austin at [email protected].

Brass Ensemble
Do you have a brass instrument sitting around that you used to play in high school? Dust it off and come join the St. James Brass! This group has been playing a few times a year for many years, but starting this fall will begin to play in worship once a month (on average). We will accompany congregational hymns and play some other  special pieces. For more information, contact Michael Ervin at [email protected].

Children's Choirs
Rehearsals for St. James' Children's Choirs will resume on September 12. Children age 4 through grade 6 are invited to join us as we develop musical skills in a fun setting through singing, movement, games, and  playing instruments. Register at https://bit.ly/2MT8oC0, and contact Jill McCarden ([email protected]) with questions.

Calendar

Sundays
Early Worship Service
8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 
9:45 a.m.
Chancel Choir
10:30 a.m.
Late Worship Service
10:55 a.m.
The Table Atlanta
5:00 p.m.

Mondays
Men's Prayer Group
7:00 a.m.

Tuesdays
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
7:00 a.m.
Toastmasters
6:45 p.m.

Wednesdays
Chancel Choir
7:30 p.m.
Boy Scouts
7:30 p.m.

Thursdays
Handbells 6:30 p.m.

Fridays

Saturdays


*The Church office will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance  of  Labor
 Day.  Handbells will start on September 13. 


Staff Directory
Senior Pastor
Rev. Max Vincent

Associate Pastor
Rev. AnnaKate Rawles

Associate Pastor
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards

Director of Family Ministries
Rev. Dr. Erin Reed Cooper

Assoc. Dir. of Children's Ministries
Meredith Howell

Assoc. Dir. of Youth Ministries
Ryan Willette

Director of Music Ministry
Michael Ervin

Assoc. Dir. Of Music Ministry
Jill McCarden

Organist
Dr. Craig Smith

Creative Worship Director / Director of Marketing & Communications
Calissa Dauterman

Director of Activities Ministry
Allen Whittaker

Business Administrator
Shannan Wassel

Facilities Manager
Stan Malone

Administrative Assistant
Shanelle Calvin

Preschool Director
Susan Viers

Nursery Coordinator
Susannah Withers

* The next Chapel Notes deadline is Monday, September 25.
Church Office          404.261.3121
Hours  M-Th | 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
F | 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Preschool Office     404.237.7354
Hours  8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED:
Don't want to receive this newsletter, but still want to remain in touch with St. James UMC? Select the "Update Profile" link below to choose which emails you want to receive.