October 14, 2019
This Week at St. James the Less
Monday, October 14
1:00 p.m. | Christian Meditation
7:00 p.m. | Executive Team Meeting

Tuesday, October 15
4:30 p.m. | A Celebration of the Life of Roger Hurd

Thursday, October 17
7:00 p.m. | Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, October 19
9:00 a.m. | Garden Work & Harvest Day

Sunday, October 20
8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Traditional Language
10:00 a.m. | Soul Mass
10:00 a.m. | Sermon Storytime
11:00 a.m. | Sweet Treats & Fellowship
11:00 a.m. | Newcomers' Coffee
6:15 p.m. | North Shore Mediation Community
Don't Miss the Soul Mass
Sunday, October 20 | 10:00 a.m.
We’ll celebrate our second annual Soul Mass. This worship experience offers praise and thanks to God through the songs of Motown, soul, and gospel pioneers, including the O’Jays (“Love Train”), Ben E. King (“Stand By Me”), and the Rev. Al Green (“Let’s Stay Together”). 

Our music leaders will be Chicagoland’s own Peter and the Versatiles, a skilled cover band led by the amazing singer Andre Pipes.

Our preacher for the day will be the Rev. Canon Alonzo Pruitt, who, during Rev. Lisa’s sabbatical in 2017, blessed us with his generous pastoral care and riveting sermons. He currently serves as the Vicar of St. Andrew’s Chapel, part of St. Leonard’s transitional ministries in Chicago.

This is a great opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to worship with us.
Newcomers' Coffee
Sunday, October 20 | 11:00 a.m
Following the Soul Mass, meet other new parishioners, have coffee with Rev. Lisa and other parish leaders and learn about St James the Less in a relaxed environment to ask questions. Childcare provided until 12:00 noon.
Small Group Dinners
Saturday, November 2 | 5:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand, we are again hosting Small Group Dinners to provide an opportunity to enjoy fellowship and lively conversation in each other’s homes.

We will gather for appetizers at the church at 5:00 p.m. before moving to individual homes for dinner. Parents with younger children are invited to dinner at the Rectory. Dinner hosts are asked to provide their home and a main dish, and other guests will bring side dishes and dessert.

If you are able to host a group, or to help with the cocktail hour at the church, please contact Judy Lefferdink at jlefferdink@gmail.com or 847-975-8540. A sign up sheet will be available in the Parish Hall or online.
All Saints' Sunday
Sunday, November 3
One service @10:00 a.m.
All Saints' Sunday is a day to commemorate and celebrate, to grieve those who have gone before us and to exult in Christ’s victory over death. Please join the entire St. James the Less community for a single beautiful service, with special musical offerings and glorious hymns of eternal hope.

During the Eucharist we will read the names of our departed loved ones. If you would like names to be read, please add them to the list in the Parish Hall or email them to the church office by October 28. 
Christian Meditation
Monday, October 14 & Tuesday, October 22
Silence is God’s primary language. Beginners or longtime meditators are welcome to this circle. We meet in the parish Library (East Room) Expect a short creative instruction followed by a guided time of silent prayer with others.
Equal Exchange Fundraising and
Youth Scholarships for Mission Trips
St James the Less has long had a heart for service. Easily observed in our successful Outreach fundraisers and many Outreach endeavors. Each year we review what is best to do with the funds we have raised. 

Every year, parishioner Maureen Burke has lead a fundraiser for the Youth Mission Trip. This money has been accumulating with the intent of one day being used for a large scale mission trip. While it has been difficult to coordinate our youth for a single parish trip, I have noticed Our youth are blessed with amazing opportunities for service outside our parish—in the past year, our youth have visited California, Morocco, China, and Peru, to name a few! Many of their high schools sponsor work or service trips with opportunities that fit their schedules and needs.

Rev. Lisa and I have often wondered how to use the funds that are meant for youth mission work. We want to support our youth in their desire to do service in many different ways. Our plan for 2020 is to provide scholarships to students who seek to do mission or service work with qualified organizations. Our parish can continue to support our youth in mission endeavors through these scholarships encouraging them to live out the gospel mandate to serve especially those who are in physical need. 

This year our annual fundraiser will change from purchase of Christmas Greens to the purchase of fair trade delicious coffees chocolates and teas farmed by small scale farms. Through the help of Sandy Ritterson, Maureen and I were able to find this new and tasty way to raise money when the Christmas Greens company discontinued its sales. 

Our Fundraiser begins October 13. You can find out more about equal exchange here (equalexchange.coop) or contact me, Sandy Ritterson, or Maureen Burke. Catalogs and order forms will be available in the Parish Hall. 

In the coming year, students may apply for funds for their trips. They will be interviewed by Rev. Lisa, me and a small group of parishioners. Scholarships will be awarded between $500 and $1000. I am so excited to provide this to our amazing youth, who, unprompted, continue to do the good work of service in our world. If you are a student interested in applying for a Mission Trip Scholarship, contact me or Rev. Lisa.

Thank you for everything that you do for our children and youth. Together, we form the community that develops a safe, nurturing, and engaging place for them to develop.
Children's Choir Rehearsals Begin
SongPlay Choir
(Pre-K through 4th Grade)
 November 3 & 17
Youth Choir
(2nd Grade through Middle School; instruments welcome)
October 13 & 27, November 10
With the return of fall, it’s time for Sunday Children’s Choir! We plan to have fun, learn songs your kids will keep singing during the week, and learn something about music.

Like last year, the choir will be split into two groups with different, age-appropriate music. These groups are not exclusive -- if your child wants to sing in either or both groups, that’s perfectly OK. 

Parents of preschoolers, you are welcome and encouraged to attend rehearsals with your children. We’ll be singing energetic praise songs and practicing for the December 15 Christmas pageant. 
Our Next Opportunity is Tuesday, November 5
We continue our ministry of providing a meal at A Just Harvest in Rogers Park as we move into the winter months. Jim and Carla Shaver are the captains for this month. The sign up sheet is available now in the Parish Hall and on our web site. 
Worship at The Grove
Eucharist | Wednesday, October 23 | 2:00 p.m.
Prayer Service | Wednesday, November 13 | 2:00 p.m.
Twice a month, we offer worship services for the residents of The Grove of Northbrook. Please join us in the ministry if you are able. We need your help to be present with the residents of this place.
Laptops for The Grove
Please contact Sue Babbs if you have unwanted laptops which could be donated to The Grove. The ones the residents used to use are no longer working, and some of the more alert residents would love to be able to use the internet. Ideally the laptops would have Windows 10 installed, and you would need to ensure they had none of your personal information stored on them.
Gardening is Better Together
Saturday Mornings @ 9:00 a.m.
With coming of fall and the winding down of the season, we have dropped our Tuesday night harvest. There is still plenty to do on Saturday mornings -- please join us!

What can you do? Tend your own garden plot, if you have one. No plot of your own, then come and help care for the plots growing food to be given to the Northfield Food Pantry. Enjoy a piece of God's Creation as we work in community.
From the Chicago Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:     
We pray for Diocesan Task Forces, Committees and Ministries and for our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and the Diocese of Renk, South Sudan.
For the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar:  
We pray for Bishop Todd & Rev. Patsy McGregor, Assistant Bishop Samy and his wife, Holy, and all the clergy and people of the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar. We pray for the upcoming annual board meeting of People Reaching People, the supporting group for the McGregors and the Diocese.  
For those who are sick: 
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers; mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
Lee Beadle (friend of John Roberts)
Daniel Berry (son of Miriam Berry)
Mary Blair (friend of John Roberts)
Frank Blunt (friend of John Roberts)
Maryann Bovio (friend of Dane Cleven)
David Braun (uncle of Matthew Berry)
Mary Burrington (grandmother of Lisa Senuta)
Debbie Carpenter (sister of David Mason)
Sandra Carpenter (sister of Shari Noble)
Mary Cato (friend of Miriam Berry)
Norman & Cathleen Corfield (parents of Yvonne Watson)
Chase Curtis (friend of John Roberts)
Silvio DeBartelmaise (friend of John Roberts)
Connor Dolge (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie) 
Bill Fox (parishioner)
Peggy Greene (parishioner)
Pam Hardy (parishioner)
George Hartnett (friend of John Roberts)
RG Heydt (friend of Katie Synek)
Walter Holt (friend of John Roberts)
Rev. David Jones (former interim rector)
Jack & Tricia Kessie (parishioners)
Ken Killion (friend of Kathy Smith)
Jenny Kokonas (friend of Yvonne Watson)
Courtney Koshgarian (friend of Peggy Greene)
Gail Kotin (parishioner)
Nancy Lidecker (mother of Katie Synek)
Jon Lind (friend of John Roberts)
Allen Liss (companion of Pam Hardy)
Dorothy Mahrenholz (parishioner)
John Marquardt, Jr. (son of Judy Marquardt)
Peggy Mason (parishioner)
Joe McDonald (son of John & Susan McDonald)
Karen Mills Hensley (daughter of Mike Mills)
Meredith Montross (parishioner)
Bob P (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Dick Peterson (parishioner)
Joanie Phillips (wife of Gary Phillips)
JoAnn Powers (friend of John Roberts)
Joe Pryzbilla (friend of Ron Valentine)
Eric Ramos (resident of The Grove)
Donald P. Rand (friend of John Roberts)
Nancy Reed (sister of Mary Nelson)
Dorothy Rizzo (mother of Bob Rizzo)
Lucy Roe (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie) 
Mary Schwenk (wife of Henry Schwenk)
Emily Senuta (mother of Chad Senuta)
Brian Stanton (resident of The Grove)
Kathy Stutz (daughter-in-law of Barbara Stutz)
Patti Stutz (daughter-in-law of Barbara Stutz)
Libby Swift (parishioner)
Nancy Thompson (sister of Dorothy Generes)
Jamie Trotter (parishioner)
Scott Trumble (friend of Scott Swank)
Elena Walke (friend of Jack & Tricia Kessie)
Tom White (son of John White)
Fred Zweifel (son of Diane Sawyer)
Addison & her parents, Kara & Mark, & brother, William  (cousin of kClare McKellaston)
Becky  (friend of Katie Synek)
Daniel  (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Dominic  (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Katie and Sean  (friends of Colleen Schipfer)
For those who have died:  
O God of grace and glory, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer. Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will.
E. Bradley Jones (who died recently, friend of John Roberts)
Ernst Harboe
John Marquardt
We thank you for giving them to us to know and to love as companions on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by the call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers may be added to this list by completing the Prayer Request Card, which can be found in the pews and Parish Hall, or by emailing Sue Babbs at suebabbs385@gmail.com 

We invite you to join the Prayer Network which receives email notifications and prays for needs as they are shared with us. Contact Sue for further information.