The SEPTEMBER 2020 Connection
St. James Episcopal Church
Amesbury, MA
The Rev. John A. Satula
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Due to concerns about Coronavirus/Covid-19, all in-person Church services, meetings, classes, and events are cancelled until further notice. These days, find us online! Check us out on Facebook, and visit our website.
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A Message from our Rector
Dear St James Community,
I hope everyone has had a pleasant, relaxing and happy summer. I know that these times are turbulent, stressful, and even frightening, and pray that we were all able to find times of peace as we continue navigating our world together during these aberrant times. A place we sometimes find this peace is St. James and I know having our doors closed is very difficult. I am not yet sure when we will be able to regather at 120 Main St., however we are making strides towards this goal.
On July 1st our Bishops advised the Diocese that we could regather in our buildings but strongly encouraged us to stay virtual as the Coronavirus continues to surge. To ensure we are as safe as possible when we reopen, the Bishops asked each Church to form a Regathering Team to access the present circumstances of each community and to complete a checklist the Diocese has compiled in consultation with health officials. Each team will also be paired with a “Regathering Shepherd” - someone from the Diocese who will work with us in completing the checklist. We have put together a team and have begun undertaking the steps toward regathering and reopening.
I will keep everyone updated as we take the necessary steps ensuring St. James is as safe as possible when we reopen. It is important to keep in mind that once we have completed the checklist this does not necessarily mean we will reopen, only that we are ready to reopen. We will continue to follow the lead of our Bishops who are in constant conversation with health professionals, as well as continue to follow community guidelines and recommendations. In the meantime, we will continue to gather virtually through Zoom on Sundays for Coffee Hour at 9am and service at 10am. We also have other opportunities to gather virtually which are outlined in this newsletter.
I wish you all a happy end to summer. Please know you all remain in my heart and prayers each and every day.
Yours in Christ,
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Our office at 120 Main Street is physically closed until further notice - email and phone messages, the website, Facebook, Youtube posts, and more are attended to off-site.
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Vestry Meeting
St James' Vestry will meet virtually on September 15, at 7pm.
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Online Services!
New worship services every Sunday.
Fr. John and others offer services of Liturgy of the Word, Morning and Evening Prayer, Compline, Christian education activities, and more - online. Join us for Zoom livestreams and Coffee Hours, and recorded services.
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Start your Sunday with our Zoom Coffee Hour!
Sundays at 9am - please join us!
You can also join us by phone: call 1-929-205-6099; meeting ID 811-017-433-95.
Stay on the link for our worship service.
(Click or call to join our service at any time it's live; no need to attend Coffee Hour to attend the service.) See you soon!
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How wonderful it was to gather - physically distant, but together! - to celebrate our Patron Saint, St James, at an outdoor service on July 26, at All Saints' in West Newbury.
YOU ARE INVITED: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Everyone is invited to join us again outside at All Saints', 895 Main St., West Newbury, for an outdoor service on Sunday, September 13, at 10am.
Social/physical distancing will be in place, and masks are required; bring chairs or blankets. A special aspect of this service is Holy Communion, for those who would like to partake of it. The Bishops have appended an addendum to our worship protocols, allowing us to partake of the Eucharist in the form of Bread. All are welcome.
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Beginning Wednesday, September 23, and continuing on subsequent Wednesdays, at 7pm, Fr. John will host a Zoom Inquirer's Class.
This is a time of learning, fellowship, and a chance to find answers to any burning questions you may have about the Episcopal Church.
The Zoom link will be sent out to the parish in advance of the first class.
No registration needed. All are welcome.
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September birthday greetings and blessings to:
Jason Mignone, Sarah Chapman, Henry Morrissey, Daniel D'Ambruoso, Abigail Potts, Chris Gates, Keelan Pothier, Ava Harlow
September wedding anniversary greetings and blessings to: Daniel and Catherine D'Ambruoso
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The Adventure Group:
Please join us, usually Wednesdays at 1pm, for physically distanced outdoor adventures (weather permitting and following all safety protocols).
Check the calendar on our website for up-to-date info.
Our group has enjoyed quick trips to local outdoor venues, such as Prescott Park, Winnekenni Castle, America's Stonehenge, and more.
If you have questions, or suggestions please reach out to Karen at 603-382-7044, or Arthur at 978-918-3232. You're invited to join us! Peace.
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Women on the Journey: open to all women
meets via Zoom for inspirational sharing, readings, and conversation.
Join us, or pop in to say hi on Saturday, September 5 & 19, at 9:30am:
Meeting ID: 832 8261 5029 Password: Women
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We also are sharing our thoughts about this book,
reading at our own paces:
by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
Please email Kim with any questions or suggestions.
Blessings and peace to all!
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Operation Backpack - Pettengill House
This year, due to safety recommendations, please consider participating by contributing funds by check or through the donation page. Your generosity enables Pettengill House to purchase school supplies, and distribute hundreds of well-filled brand-new backpacks to our neighboring children and families in need. For info about Pettengill House, click here.
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Aid 4 Amesbury, an initiative created by the City of Amesbury in partnership with The Pettengill House, Inc., helps Amesbury residents who are economically vulnerable during the COVID-19 outbreak. To donate, or to apply for assistance, please visit Aid 4 Amesbury.
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This year's Village of Church Fairs, including our own Holiday Fair, is cancelled, due to COVID-19.
We will miss the excitement and fun of this special time. . . but we'll be back next year!
In the meantime, we're exploring ways to stay connected, share our talents and treasures, raise funds, and have fun. What do you think?
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Be-the-Bridge Group is hosted by All Saints' Church at 10:30am every other Tuesday morning in All Saints' Memorial Garden, at 835 Main St in West Newbury. Be-the-Bridge is a racial justice, restoration, and reconciliation Study and Action group (https://bethebridge.com/). The next meeting is Tuesday September 15, 10:30 am. Please email Jillian Knowles, Senior Warden at All Saints': j5mknow@verizon.net or text 978 270 4062 to learn more.
(Scroll down to read about St James's Online Anti-Racist Book Group, open to all, ages 10+, beginning this month with "This Book is Anti-Racist")
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at St James:
Wonder, Love, Encouragement!
Online classes continue for our new school year.
Stay tuned for an announcement about a fun event!
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Christian Formation classes continue - online, still -
we miss you and pray for each of you!
Every weekend, or at your leisure, check out "Online Sunday School!" - a newsletter full of Bible-based activities, a week's worth of wonder to share.
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St James' Youth Class has a new name: The Lighthouse! We've graduated from the "Weaving God's Promises" curriculum. We are receivers of light, bringers of light!
Youth (and adults, too!) are invited - twice a month - to check out online self-led classes offered by Linda Davis Siess.
Click on a class (a mini-retreat) to see what it's all about - you're invited to participate!
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Youth, save the date! Zoom Class at 6:30pm on Friday, September 18!
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Coming this fall: an online all-ages book group, using This Book is Anti-Racist, by Montessori educator Tiffany Jewell. Interested? RSVP here.
One of our teens was active in the Diocese's online racial justice camp. Malcolm reports: "I wanted to share with you that the racial justice camp was awesome. We learned about the extent of how people can be racist, how to be a better ally to people of color and how God ties into it all. Overall it was a great experience. We also met with a legislator's aide to lobby for some change in the law and it was actually successful, we got the senator to lobby for a police accountability and youth decriminalization bill."
Malcolm is interested in our upcoming book club. How about you? LMK!
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St James is a strong and loving community
that welcomes, encourages and empowers all
to grow in Christ and to do God's work in the world.
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