News from St. James' Episcopal Church
Sunday, May 10, 2020
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The Theology of Face Masks
A reflection by parishioner and vestry member Carolyn Briles
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The eye is the lamp of the body. Matthew 6:22
I went to Costco this week for the first time since the quarantine began. They require face masks now to enter the store. That’s okay with me – I’m all for protecting other people from my germs, but it made the logistics of getting inside a little harder. In addition to fumbling around for my Costco card, I had to fumble around with a face mask too. Other customers handled this with finesse. They seamlessly tucked the loops behind their ears, secured the nose bridge and walked right in. I had to stop outside the door and fiddle with mine. The rubbery ear loops were pulling my hair and not lying flat. And as soon as I did have the mask secured on my face, my glasses started to fog up.
Things got worse inside. It was a Costco I barely recognized. Social distancing had put a hush over the store. The voices of the few who were talking to each other were muffled by their masks. With most of our facial features hidden, we were all strangers rushing to the back to check for chicken. And then there was that awkwardness when anyone came near me and I wondered how close 6 feet actually was. Was I in his space now, or was he in mine? Instead of lingering over the books in the middle tables, shoppers just wanted to get done and get out. I felt so sad about all of this, all of these changes that no one asked for – no live graduations, no in-person church, and now, no more samples at Costco.
As I headed down the baking goods aisle, I felt a little relief. At least there was still flour for sale in this world, even if it was in 25 lb bags. I noticed a fellow shopper parked on the opposite side. She noticed me too, and there was a pause as if we should know each other. When our eyes met, she smiled.
The wonderful thing was I couldn’t actually see her mouth, but I knew she had smiled. Her chin tilted up and her brows lifted, but more than anything, there was a light in her eyes. Her eyes - with the mask covering every other facial feature, my focus was on her eyes. And through only our eyes, we recognized each other.
We’d been stroke and turn judges together from neighborhood swim team days. Our kids were in elementary school then, and now they were all in college. It had been a while, but still I knew her, and she knew me – all through our eyes. They sparkled as we shared our family misadventures. They worried as we shared health news about our mothers. They told us everything we needed to know. We didn’t need the mouth or the nose. We were focused on the eyes.
I hate this virus. I hate everything about it – the loss of life, the loss of security, the loss of simple hugs. And I won’t honor it with a platitude like “Silver Lining.” But something strange happens when we are all in masks – we focus on each others’ eyes. Through our eyes we recognize each other. Through our eyes we see each others’ light, and that light holds our knowing and our memories and our fundamental humanness. And honestly, other than a vaccine, that may be what we need right now.
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Vestry Update: April 28 Meeting
Mark Snow, Senior Warden
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Your vestry met via Zoom on April 28 to discuss and vote on several key items:
- We were approved for a forgivable $143,000 SBA loan under the Payroll Protection Program provision of the CARES Act. We can now cover church staff salaries for 8 weeks and continue paying our pre-school teachers through the end of the scheduled school term. By using these dollars to pay salaries, this loan is forgivable and does not indebt St. James’ in any way. And we are able to keep our teachers on the payroll during a time with no preschool revenue, helping to keep income flowing. Truly a blessing – many thanks to Treasurer John Forcier and Chair of the Finance Committee Bill Brooks for making this happen.
- The Vestry voted to approve a significant upgrade to our Audio-Visual system in both the Nave and the Parish Hall. When we return to in-person worship, we can continue livestreaming services online, meeting evangelism needs (reaching new people using technology) and accessibility needs (bringing worship to people unable to attend in person). Livestreaming from both locations will enable us to “broadcast” the Worship Service, Adult Forum, and other presentations and meetings. This upgrade also improves our ability to stream services live to the Parish Hall for overflow – a crucial capability. As we slowly transition to in-person worship in the future, we will need to maintain social distancing, which requires lowering the seating capacity at any one service. By projecting services in the Parish Hall, we can serve more who wish to attend in-person. The total one-time capital cost is $51,825, which will be drawn from endowed investment funds given to St. James’ for such purpose, such as the Kitty Boyd Fund. The Trustees and Finance Committee will oversee this transaction.
- Roof and wood rot damage are being repaired in the Arcade (the gathering area between the Nave and the Janney House), and skylights are being installed to greatly improve the amount of natural light in this space.
- Capital Projects Prioritization: the Property Committee and Warden Terry Prevost will be working to update the prioritized list of capital projects including cost, timing, and fit with the strategic plan. This work will guide future planning.
The Vestry will meet every two weeks during the COVID-19 crisis by Zoom. Its next meeting is Tuesday, May 12.
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Proceeding through the Easter season
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The Diocese of Virginia is continuing to fast from public worship as long as the governor's stay-at-home order remains in effect.
As of April 13, Bishop Goff directed all churches to refrain from live-streaming or recording services in our worship spaces. Clergy and lay leaders may record livestream services from their homes. By staying home, we obey Jesus’ law of love as we protect each other and ourselves.
We still "go live" on Facebook at
10 a.m. each Sunday.
And no, you still don't have to "join" Facebook to see us!
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Passing the Virtual Peace
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Grab a phone: take a short video of you or your family saying
"Peace Be With You."
Then watch it become a part of passing the peace on our virtual service.
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Join us for Video Sunday School on Zoom right after the livestream of worship (around 11:15).
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See past services
on YouTube
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Monthly Mission Partner: Loudoun Hunger Relief
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During the month of May, we are praying for, learning about, and financially supporting Loudoun Hunger Relief.
For more than 26 years, Loudoun Hunger Relief (LHR) has served as Loudoun County’s primary emergency food pantry, providing food assistance to the hungry and food insecure in Loudoun. Through multiple locations, thousands of volunteers, donors and food drives, tens of thousands of people helped, LHR has been there for Loudoun.
St. James’ Episcopal Church is one of LHR’s faith congregation partners who assist with food collection, monetary donations, and volunteer service.
Monetary donations are the best way to support LHR right now.
LHR is purchasing food in pallets to meet the increased need and distribute food most efficiently.
Please give as generously as you can.
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In this challenging time, many are asking, "How can I help?"
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.
In addition, the following community partners are providing services to our neighbors in need. Please give generously as you are able.
- Loudoun Hunger Relief is a longtime partner of St. James' and provides food assistance to Loudoun residents. In addition, LHR is our May Monthly Mission Partner: Give to Loudoun Hunger Relief
- St. James’ initiated the “Grace to Go” ministry in 2009. We distribute meals on a first-come, first-served basis every Monday evening at 5:00 p.m. in the St. James’ parking lot. Give to Grace to Go
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington has an established process for providing rent assistance. Give to Catholic Charities
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Join the Garden Project
for Loudoun Hunger Relief
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Loudoun Hunger Relief (LHR) needs fresh, longer-shelf-life vegetables for those in need during this difficult time. Join us in our new ministry:
The Garden Project. We planted our first crops on Earth Day: April 22.
Something new is being born in this time of trial, with roots in the prayers and service given by the community of St. J
ames'.
If you want to help with planting, weeding, harvesting, or transporting, please
email Fred Williams or
Wayne Newell. We hope you will embrace this new ministry and help us as we work to produce new life in a beautiful and gentle setting.
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This year’s Easter lilies are given in memory of and in thanksgiving for the following:
In remembrance of Richard, Thomas, and Elsie Brannock, and Rose and John Emerick, by Jeff, Dottie, Joseph and Stephen Brannock.
In memory of Gloria E. Nicol
and Howard D. Brecht,
and in thanksgiving for life’s many blessings, by Isaac Nicol and Mary Brecht.
In memory of Betty O. Hatrick, and in thanksgiving for family and friends, by Edgar B. Hatrick.
In loving memory of Paul C. Kreuch, Jr. by Eleanor Kreuch.
In memory of Barbara Dombrowski, Polly Clemens, George Durfey, and Dean Korpan
by Lois Krumwiede.
In memory of Lucille and Lawrence Muse by their children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
In loving gratitude and thanksgiving for the Music Ministry of St. James,’
and especially for the Children’s Choir members, parents and families
and for Diane Carmicle and Brian Ganz by Rachel Newell.
In memory of Edwin Olivero and The Very Reverend Lawrence and Joyce Robertson
by Phil and Beth Olivero.
In memory of Ruth O. Pumphrey and Nancy T. Wood
by Jim and McLean Pumphrey.
Given to the Glory of God, and in honor of his grandparents,
Dan and Patty Snow and John and Sally Wallace,
by Henry Lanier Snow.
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The readings for Sunday, May 10
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1 Peter 2:2-10
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
John 14:1-14
Jesus told his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
“Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
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In need of prayer? In need of care?
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"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
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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!
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Those requesting our prayers this week: Alice Lynn, Becky Crisman, 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: Caitlyn Darnell, Mark and Meghan Roomsfa, Lori Turner, Chase Smith, Wendell Schott, 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.
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St. James’ Vestry
Carolyn Briles
Katherine Bucklin
Andy Durot
Jim Ferry
Ed Hatrick
Karen Knobloch
Steve Mayo
Deb McGee
Page Moffett
Wayne Newell
Jane Roth, Secretary
Fred Williams
Seth Griner, Youth Representative
Treasurer
John Forcier
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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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