News from St. James' Episcopal Church
Sunday, August 16, 2020
The Blessings of a Disruptor
A Report from the Vestry by Carolyn Briles
Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?
Isaiah 43:19

After a break in July, your Vestry returned to its regular schedule on August 11 with a fresh perspective: one that focuses on the coronavirus as a “disruptor.” As my business-savvy neighbor explains, an “interrupter” changes things for a short time. It’s briefly inconvenient, but then all returns to normal. A disruptor, however, upends things fundamentally. It forces new perspectives and innovation, and, in the end, can be a blessing.

At our August 11 meeting, we gave thanks for the new perspectives and innovation that have emerged in our parish:
  • The continuing and bountiful harvest of the Garden Project Ministry and the fresh produce it is providing to those in need. Word has it from the gardeners that at least one potato weighed in at over a pound!
  • The innovation and creativity of all those involved in creating our online Sunday services as the A/V Ministry continues work on the design and acquisition of a new system. We give thanks for our musicians and choirs who have created joyful music in new ways and for our readers whose heartfelt words uplift us. 
  •  The faithfulness of our congregation through the challenges of this disruptor. Your generous contributions to the COVID-19 Response Fund are helping those hurt financially by this virus.
  • The hard work and commitment of organizations who are laboring to serve community needs, such as Mobile Hope, whom we are designating as our Monthly Mission Partner for September.
  • The thoughtful response of more than 175 parishioners who shared their perspectives through the Regathering Survey, and the work of the Regathering Committee as they work to determine the safest way to move forward regarding in-person worship at St. James’.
  • The energy and commitment of Fr. Earl, who shared ideas for new ways to connect as a church family that would respect both Diocesan guidelines and social distancing recommendations.

The opportunity to see in a new light and to do things in a new way is the blessing of a disruptor. We will continue those discussions at the next Vestry meeting, which will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, August 25, at 7:00 p.m.

St. James is blessed by you and your faithfulness! Peace be with you!
A bountiful harvest
Our garden is flourishing! This week, Troy Harry, Steve Page, and Wayne Newell harvested 589 potatoes -- weighing a total of 160 pounds -- this week for Loudoun Hunger Relief. Add the potatoes to the beets and carrots harvested by Doug Maclean, and it's a bounty of root vegetables to be shared!
Join us for online worship this Sunday!
Monthly Mission Partner:
Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun
During August, we are praying for, learning about, and financially supporting Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun (BBFL).

The BBFL funds and facilitates a variety of programs throughout Loudoun County, providing food to underserved children and their families. In 2019, BBFL provided $132,000 in funding to 55 LCPS Backpack Buddy programs, providing over 20,600 weekend meals.

The BBFL Board is a volunteer organization with no paid employees. Over 94 percent of donations received directly fund food provisioning for Backpack Buddies programs throughout the county.

While the Coronavirus has taken children out of school, it has also exacerbated the problem of food insecurity for the community we serve. We continue to work closely with the school BPB programs to assure meal delivery to children and families in need, as we did during the Spring closure.

This year, we are fortunate that a fellow member of St. James’ has agreed to match “Dollar for Dollar” all donations to BBFL in the month of August. So, $10 becomes $20, $100 becomes $200 (enough to provide a full year of weekend meals to a child in need), and so on.

If you are able, please give generously using the button below so we can track donations for the matching gift.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity: “Because hunger doesn’t take the weekend off.”
Week 9: St. James' Guide to a Spiritual Summer!
Summer can be a wonderful time of family togetherness, a rediscovery of people we've been spending our days apart from. But it can also be action-packed and frenetic. 
 
That's where we hope this Guide comes in. It's designed to be a reminder to slow down. In its pages you will find opportunities to slow down and appreciate the people with whom you live, to slow down and make time for neighbors, to slow down and discover new things about yourself, and to slow down and let God reveal God's love.
 
For each of the ten weeks of summer, the Guide offers a theme loosely based on the lectionary readings for that Sunday. Themes include growing, storms, help, journeys, following your heart, serving, miracles, gifts, needs, and wisdom. There are several suggestions for things you can do to more fully experience and share God's love with the world. We've also included one or two open-ended questions to facilitate intergenerational discussion. And for each week, we offer full-page activities ranging from matching games to craft projects.

Have a safe, blessed, and spiritual summer!
How Can You Help?
In this challenging time, many are asking, "How can I help?"

NEW OPPORTUNITY: Please consider providing food for St. Gabriel's ministry that serves folks who are food-insecure, do not have transportation, are nontraditional renters, and due to the pandemic have not had work or had their hours severely reduced. All food donations can be dropped off at St. David's in Ashburn on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

To assist our parishioners, family, or friends, as well as support community organizations that provide key services (food, shelter, or direct aid), ​St. James' has established a COVID-19 Response Fund.

In addition, Fr. Daniel Vélez Rivera, vicar of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church (St. James' daughter church), works closely with Catholic Charities to help distribute emergency COVID-19-related rental assistance to people who are non lease-holders.

Grace to Go continues to serve to-go meals every Monday evening from the St. James' parking lot.

If you, a family member, or friend, find themselves in a place of need, please contact Fr. Earl. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are in need.

The readings for Sunday, August 9
Genesis 45:1-15
Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
“Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you.
“You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
Matthew 15: 21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
In need of prayer? In need of care?
"In case of illness, the minister of the congregation is to be notified."
The Book of Common Prayer, p. 453

Please let us know when you are in need of prayer and care.

Whom should you call?
The Rev. Earl Mullins
Emergency Number:
410-409-9386

The Church Office
703-777-1124
When should you call?
  • When you become seriously ill, are dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or condition, or are hospitalized for treatment, surgery, or rehabilitation.
  • When you are experiencing a spiritual, physical, emotional or financial crisis.
  • When you become concerned for the person who usually shares the pew with you because he or she has not been in church for a while.
  • When you experience one of life's many transitions: a birth, a death, a job loss/change, a move, an empty nest, retirement, etc.
  • When you need prayer and care, but don't want to "bother" anyone with your troubles -- please contact us anyway; you will not be "bothering" us!
Keeping Close in Prayer
Those requesting our prayers this week: Margaret Haight, Brianne Bailey and Family, the Lamberty Family, Alice Lynn, Mary Paul, Inez Peebles, Caroline Ennis, the Lynch Family, the Page family, John Marsh, and the Riley family, Mary Bracken, Jennifer Griffith, Tim MacNamara, Fiona Ahrweiler and family; for other persons: Orma Call, Chris DeWaard, Jay Watkins, Mark and Meghan Roomsfa, Lori Turner, Chase Smith, the Schott family, Charlotte, Christian Cutillo, Ruth Guerra, Miline Hughes, Erin Stanton, Barbara Rose, Nancy Hylton, Bridget Steel, Matthew Britto, Betty Overson, Dewey, those who are unemployed or underemployed; and those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.
Vestry, Clergy and Staff
St. James’ Vestry
Carolyn Briles
Katherine Bucklin
Andy Durot
Jim Ferry
Ed Hatrick
Karen Knobloch
Steve Mayo
Deb McGee
Page Moffett
Wayne Newell
Terry Prevost, Junior Warden
Jane Roth, Secretary
Mark Snow, Senior Warden
Fred Williams
Seth Griner, Youth Representative

Treasurer
John Forcier
 St. James’ Clergy and Staff
Interim Rector

Dr. Steven Cooksey
Director of Music/Organist

Dr. Stephen Knobloch
Corner Chorale Music Director

Walter Litzenberger
Assistant Choir Director/Organist

Parish Administrator and Registrar

Janet Stayrook
Preschool Director

Adan Cortez
Lead Sexton

Francisco Ramos
Sexton 
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