VOLUME 1, ISSUE 42
NOVEMBER 06, 2019
22nd Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 27)
Job 19:23-27a
Psalm 17:1-9
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Luke 20:27-38
8:00AM SERVICE
Preacher: Dean Ryan
Celebrant: Dean Ryan
10:00AM SERVICE
Usher: Jane Fisher
Lector: Pamela Johnston
EM: Joe Vigil and Pete Cabbiness
Preacher: Dean Ryan
Celebrant: Dean Ryan
FOOD BANK
2nd-4th Wednesdays @ 2:30PM

THE COTTAGE SHOP
Wednesdays 12:30PM - 4:30PM
1st-3rd Sat. @ 9:00AM-1:00PM

CHOIR REHEARSAL
Thursdays @ 6:30PM

FOOD BANK: TJ FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Sundays after 10AM Service (White Room)
IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE
SUN. NOV. 9 @ 11:00AM-2:00PM
Fireside Room

SUNDAY EDUCATION FORUM:
PRAYER
SAT. NOV 10 @ 9:00AM
Fireside Room

ORDINATION OF TOM HAMPSON
SUN. NOV 16 @ 11:00AM
St. James Cathedral

CHAPTER MEETING
SUN. NOV. 17 @ 12:00PM-2:30PM
Conference Room

CATHEDRAL THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON
SUN. NOV. 24 @ 11:00AM-1:30PM
Zoe Eden

ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
SUN. DEC 8 @ 4:00PM
St. James Cathedral
THE DEACONS DISCUSS PRAYER
Part 3: Coming Soon! Praying as a community
During Advent, we are going to experiment with a more participatory style of offering the Prayers of the People. These prayers will still be printed in the service program, but instead of the Deacons reading each prayer (called “biddings”), YOU, members of the congregation, are asking to offer the biddings as the Spirit moves you.

The Deacons will open and close the Prayers of the People, then more (or more!) of you will read the first bidding. At the end of each bidding, as usual, the congregation will respond with the bolded asking (such as “Lord, hear our prayer) together. 
Here is an example how the Prayers of the People will look in Advent:

OPENING BIDDING PRAYER

Deacon: Holy One, you bid us to a life of discipleship and service. As we seek to follow in the ways of Jesus, we bring our needs, our hopes, and our fears to you. We ask for your love and mercy saying,

ALL: Lord, hear our prayer. 

Congregation Member(s): We pray for Michael, our Presiding Bishop, the clergy of the Diocese of San Joaquin, and especially our Cathedral clergy, that they may lead and teach us your ways. We pray also for Toni, our seminarian.

Deacon: For your love and mercy we pray saying, 

ALL: Lord, hear our prayer. 

THE PRAYERS CONTINUE IN THIS FORMAT WITH DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION TAKING A PETITION. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE CONCLUDE WITH A DEACON OFFERING A CLOSING BIDDING PRAYER.
Yes, congregants offering a petition will need to speak loudly; but, this is a wonderful way for us, as a congregation, to allow the Holy Spirit to stir us and more fully participate in the Prayers of the People.  
This Sunday, November 10th, the Dean and the Deacons will host an education forum on "Prayer." The forum will begin at 9:00AM in the Fireside Room. All are welcome to join us for the the discussion. No preparation required--just an open heart and mind as we look at the practice of prayer, especially what it means to be a "community of and in prayer."
SONG OF A LIFETIME
Emma Boone performs during halftime at the Rose Bowl
This past Saturday, Emma Boone had an amazing opportunity to sing God Bless America during halftime of the UCLA football game at the historic Rose Bowl.

Here is Emma's account of the event:

"I am very humbled to say that yesterday I was given the opportunity of a lifetime—I sang “God Bless America” after the band’s halftime performance of our Patriotic Show, while the American flag was unfurled across the entire field. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. Halfway through my performance, I found my parents in the stands (I didn’t even know where they were sitting) and was on the verge of crying while singing. That, the sound of the crowd joining in with me, and the tears and looks of everyone’s faces on the field sent me into a wash of emotions after, of simply just being thankful that I’m here, and that I’m in this program. I’d like to thank Kevin McKeown for believing in me and giving me this opportunity, and to my parents for flying all the way out to see me!"
Photo credit: Shirley McCombs-Swayne and James Coomes 
Veterans' Day, November 11, is a time set aside to remember those who are serving or have served our country. St. James would like to thank all of our Veterans for their service to our country.

Prayer For Heroic Service from the Book of Common Prayer (p. 839)
O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Episcopal Church ‘still in’ despite Trump administration’s withdrawal from Paris climate pact
By David Paulsen
ARTICLE FROM THE EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE
The Trump administration announced on Nov. 4 that it would withdraw the United States from the global climate pact known as the “Paris agreement” within a year, but that won’t affect The Episcopal Church’s commitment to the agreement’s goal of stopping or slowing climate change.

“The Episcopal Church considers climate action part of fulfilling a sacred trust from God,” California Bishop Marc Andrus said in a written statement reacting to the Trump administration’s plan to withdraw, which he called “an irresponsible move that particularly threatens some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.”

Andrus, who has led Episcopal delegations in recent years to annual climate summits hosted by the United Nations, warned that delays in addressing climate change could produce catastrophic scenarios in both the short and long term. The hardest-hit communities “will continue to suffer the tragic effects of wildfires, sea level rise, heat waves, and other climate-related disasters,” he wrote.

An Episcopal delegation was in Paris, France, in December 2015 to make a spiritual case for climate action during the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP. At that conference, member countries, including the United States, reached a landmark agreement to set voluntary goals aimed at keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius, which scientists think would be necessary to prevent a spiraling catastrophe of melting glaciers, rising sea levels and related weather extremes.
BUILD AN ADVENT WREATH
December 1st after 10AM service
You are invited to an Advent Family Activity!

Following the 10AM service on Sunday, December 1st, in the Fireside Room, start the season together building an advent wreath for your home.

St. James will provide metal advent wreath forms, ribbon, wire to attach greens to forms, greenery and a handout for suggested advent prayers. Advent Candles will be available for a small donation. Bring your clippers or older scissors and start the season with your very own handmade wreath.

Reserve your space--a sign-up sheet is available in Fireside Room on the bulletin board.
ADVENT EDUCATION SERIES
Four-part series explores the Gospel Stories of Advent
St. James will be hosting a four-part “deep dive” Scripture study on the Advent Gospel lessons. The class will meet on Monday evening starting November 25th and conclude on December 16th. Co-facilitated by the Dean and the Deacons, the class will look ahead to the upcoming Gospel reading for Sunday. Each session will explore in-depth the Gospel reading and its overall connection to the themes of Advent. The group’s questions and discussion will be instrumental in shaping the sermon for Sunday.

Mondays will begin at 6:00PM with Eucharist in the Chapel. Followed by a light dinner being served at 6:30PM in the White Room. The class will begin at 7:00PM in the White Room and conclude no later 8:30PM.

We are asking for participants to pre-register for the education series. You can register online or there will be a sign-up sheet at the entrance of the Chapel/Cathedral for the next couple of Sundays.

SERIES OUTLINE

November 25th: Watchfulness 
Matthew 24:36-44. Jesus reminds the Disciples about the necessity for watchfulness.

December 2nd: Repentance
Matthew 3:1-12. John the Baptist preaches repentance as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.

December 9th: The Messenger and the Messiah
Matthew 11:2-11. John the Baptist presses Jesus on his identity.

December 16th: Prelude to the Birth of the Messiah
Matthew 1:18-25. An angel foretells of Jesus’ birth
CHRISTMAS 2019 SCHEDULE
Cathedral adds a Children's Service
This Christmas at St. James will feature a new service--a 4:00PM Children's Service. The Children's Service is designed to support families who want a Christmas worship experience accessible to the whole family, especially for the youngest kids.

The service will be simple, relaxed, family-friendly, and will run about 35-40 minutes. Eucharist will be celebrated at the service. Dean Ryan will offer a children-focused message.

Additionally, per tradition, we offer Christmas Eve Services at 6PM and 11PM that will include music and all of the beautiful Christmas traditions. The late service will begin at 10:30PM with a Carol Prelude--we will sing a collection of our favorite Christmas hymns.

On Christmas Day, we will offer a service at 9:00AM in the Chapel.
DONATE BLANKETS FOR SHELTER DOGS
Ray Tregembo (8:00AM service attendee) works with facility in Southwest Fresno who temporarily house 5 to 10 dogs who have been abandoned. New homes are found for these dogs either directly through the organization or Fresno County Humane Animal Services—the only City/County no-kill shelter in the area.

In speaking with Fresno County Humane Animal Services, Ray learned that the shelter is in dire need of blankets for their guests. Many of the kennels and cages are open air. 

With the cold weather coming, Ray has launched a campaign to collect used (not new) and unused blankets that folks have stored in their basements, garages, etc. On Sundays, blankets can be dropped off at the entrance of the Chapel/Cathedral. During the week, blankets may be delivered to the Cathedral Office.

If you have any questions, please contact Ray or Dean Ryan.
Come enjoy a night of amazing music and support members of the St. James Cathedral community!

For more information or to purchase tickets you can visit: Fresno Community Chorus .
For the months of November and December the Revelation Bible Study will be meeting the First and Second Wednesday of the month. Time and location have not changed.
ORDINATION AT THE CATHEDRAL
God willing and the people consenting, Tom Hampson will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, November 16th at 11:00AM. All are welcome.
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON
The St. James community is invited to attend and Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Sunday, November 24 at 5:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 2672 E Alluvial Ave, Fresno, CA 93720, sponsored by The Interfaith Alliance of Central California.
CHOIR REHEARSALS
Choir have resumed rehearsing on Thursday evenings, 6:30PM-8:00PM, in the Chapel. If you are interested in joining Choir, please come to rehearsal. For more information, please contact Sherah.
BIBLE STUDY- THE BOOK OF REVELATION
The mid-week Bible Study has returned. The study is led by Emily Niblick and meets weekly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 10:00AM to 11:00AM, in the Fireside Room.
CHAPTER MEETING
The November meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 17th, 12:00PM - 2:30PM in the Conference Room.
CATHEDRAL THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON
The Cathedral will be providing a Thanksgiving lunch the Sunday before Thanksgiving in Zoe Eden following the 10AM service on November 24th.
MEN'S GROUP
The next breakfast gathering is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, 7:30AM at Yosemite Falls Cafe (across from the Cathedral).
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
The next meeting will be Saturday, December 7th, at 9:00AM in the Conference Room.
Dawn Baity shared stories, tears, laughter, meals and lodging with fellow pilgrims along her 32-day walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, but when she arrived at St. James’ Cathedral in the heart of the medieval city and joined hundreds of fellow pilgrims for Mass, she couldn’t share in the Eucharist.
Bishop John Harvey Taylor, Dean Sylvia Sweeney and members of the Bloy House board of trustees joined Bishop Guy Erwin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Southwest California Synod to sign a lease agreement for the Episcopal seminary — formally known as Episcopal School of Theology at Claremont, or ETSC — to move into offices at ELCA’s Lutheran Center in Glendale.
The Diocese of Arizona is stepping up its efforts to give recognition to the “People of the Land,” including by creating an Indigenous Peoples of Arizona Day, which churches in the diocese can celebrate in future years on the second Monday of October – the Columbus Day federal holiday.
The International Commission for Anglican Orthodox Theological Dialogue met in Canterbury, England from 10-17 October to continue consideration of ecology and end-of-life issues.
If you have any feedback, comments, or questions for the Midweek Missive Editors, please email us . Submissions to the Midweek Missive are welcomed and must be submitted to midweek@stjamesfresno.org by Tuesday at noon.