News from St. James' Episcopal Church

Sunday, June 28, 2020

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)

Stewardship of Each Other

Many of you are, no doubt, wondering about when we might return to worship in our beautiful and historic space. In keeping with the Bishop's guidance for phased reopening of church buildings, the Vestry has named a Regathering Committee, composed of Jeff and Dottie Brannock, Rachelle Schroeder, Kay Gregg and Jane Roth, with Fred Williams as facilitator. That committee is working on plans for what is best for St. James' and how and when our plans will be presented to the Diocese for review. While we do not anticipate worshiping together physically before August, we are looking forward to the installation of our new audiovisual system in July, which will provide us more capabilities and flexibility both in our online worship and community and when we do eventually gather in the building. Our overarching goal is the sustained health and well-being of our community.

Stewardship of Responsibilities

The Vestry is hard at work developing a set of bylaws for St. James’. These important governing documents foster healthy congregational life by serving as vehicles for getting on the same page and staying there. When parish leadership is familiar with and faithful to its governing documents, it reduces confusion and misunderstanding, increases clarity regarding roles and responsibilities, and conserves time and energy -- all important to St. James' as we move into our rector search in the upcoming months! Many thanks to Ken Getty, Bill Brooks, and Jane Roth for getting us started with a draft.

Stewardship of our Treasure

The Vestry gratefully recognized Bill Brooks, chair of our Finance Ministry, John Forcier, our Treasurer, and our entire Finance Ministry for their dedication and faithfulness. Through their quick actions, we were able to secure a PPP loan to help cover salary costs during COVID-19 closings. Since the funds are being used for payroll expenditures, we anticipate that loan will be forgivable. Bill and John attend every Vestry meeting to share updated and timely information, and their insight and wisdom continue to guide us in keeping our financial position stable.

Stewardship of our Ministries

Commission leaders reported on ministry activities, including Contemplative Prayer, the Women’s Discussion group, the Property Committee, the AV/Evangelism ministry, the Teaching ministry, and the Garden Project. Grace to Go will be our Monthly Mission Partner for July.

Saint James’ is blessed by your faithfulness! Peace be with you!

Today we honor and celebrate the enthusiasm, dedication, and flexibility of our church school teachers. The year started with uncertainty and change, and ended before we knew it was ending. Thank you all for your ministry to the children and families of St. James’ Episcopal Church!

Our guest Preacher and Celebrant on Sunday, June 28 is the Rev. Jessica Holthus , Associate Rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Frederick. She is a lifelong Episcopalian, beloved child of God, faithful priest, devoted partner, and proud parent. She graduated magna cum laude from Towson University (MD) with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology.

She attended Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in Alexandria, VA, focusing her theological studies on pastoral care, small groups, family systems, spiritual direction, Biblical studies, and practical theology. She graduated from VTS in May 2010, with a Master in Divinity.

Jessica was ordained a transitional deacon in June 2010, and a priest in January 2011. During her almost decade of serving All Saints’ she has served with three different rectors, providing a pastoral presence of continuity during congregational times of transition.

Some of her personal interests include traveling, kayaking, photography, artistic journaling, and -- most importantly -- spending time with her husband Nick and two daughters Emilia (4) and Lianna (2).

Join us as we "go live" on Facebook at 10 a.m.

See instructions here or visit facebook.com/stjamesleesburg

to see our worship services.

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!

During June, we are praying for, learning about, and financially supporting  Friends of Loudoun Mental Health (FLMH).

 

Serving Loudoun County since 1955, FLMH provides support and direct services to mental health consumers living in Loudoun County.

FLMH’s cornerstone program, A Place To Call Home, provides monthly rental subsidies directly to landlords for clients who are in active treatment for a serious mental illness, live in Loudoun County and live at, or below, the federal poverty line (currently $22,600 for a family of four).

 

To learn more, visit their website or ask our very own St. James’ parishioner Michelle Jones, former Director of Business Development for FLMH.

 

If you are able, give generously to this worthy mission. Thank you!

In this challenging time, many are asking, "How can I help?"

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.

In addition, please share this list of non-profits who can assist those in need.

Genesis 22: 1-14

God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.”

So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Matthew 10: 40-42

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

" 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

Email: fr.earl@stjamesleesburg.org

The Church Office

703-777-1124

When should you call?

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: EJ and Kayla Poell, 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.  

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

The Rev. W. Earl Mullins

Interim Rector

Dr. Steven Cooksey

Director of Music/Organist

Dr. Stephen Knobloch

Corner Chorale Music Director

Walter Litzenberger

Assistant Choir Director/Organist

Kay Gregg

Parish Administrator and Registrar

Janet Stayrook

Preschool Director

Adan Cortez

Lead Sexton

Francisco Ramos

Sexton