The NOVEMBER 2020 Connection
St. James Episcopal Church
Amesbury, MA
The Rev. John A. Satula
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Dear St. James Community,
I hope you have all been able to find some refreshment as the magnificent fall colors begin to shine all around us. I always enjoy driving around our charming little town during this time of year as we are presented with such beautiful landscapes.
I know as autumn begins we are all wondering when we might be able to regather at St. James. I am sure our Church misses us as much as we miss her. I do not have the answer yet to this question, but am writing to let you know where our parish is in the reopening process.
We have formed a Regathering Team which is comprised of Christophe C., Cindy J., Beth M., John V., and Arthur Y. They have begun the work that the Diocese requires of us to be able to reopen.
We feel it is important at this stage to hear from you as to your feelings about worshipping together in person. We are currently looking at several different scenarios for reopening and your input would really help us as we move forward.
Primarily, we would like to know of the views or feelings you may have regarding the reopening of the Church. For instance:
- Do you feel strongly about whether we should open now, or wait?
- What parameters would you like to see in place to feel safe regathering?
- Will you return at this point in time, or wait until this disease is more contained?
Your feedback is very important to us as we move forward. Please send your thoughts, suggestions, concerns, and questions to us: click here.
In the unfolding process of regathering, our team is continuing to closely follow both the Amesbury community and our neighboring communities' pandemic conditions. I am also in regular contact with our sister parishes to see where they are in their reopening plans. We want to stress that as we look at regathering, we will diligently follow and at times exceed both the Diocesan and CDC health and safety guidelines. This is out of an abundance of caution to keep our Church family safe and healthy.
Looking ahead, our services will continue on Zoom, with a final outdoor service on All Saints' Day, November 1. This newsletter offers some different opportunities for coming together virtually through Zoom, as well.
St. James continues to thrive even in this unprecedented time, through your ongoing participation and prayers. Thank you. Please know I as well as the Vestry are always available to speak with you and answer any questions or concerns.
Regathering, as our Bishops have said, is a journey by stages, and we are all looking forward to the day that brings us back together in person.
During these unprecedented times, and at all times, you all remain in my heart and prayers.
Yours in Christ,
|
|
Outdoor service with Holy Communion, November 1, 2020, 10am: Feast of All Saints
on the grounds of All Saints' Episcopal Church, 895 Main St., West Newbury.
Come worship with us, strictly following health and safety protocols. Bring a chair, wear face coverings, stay physically distant, dress warmly!
|
|
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.
|
|
Vestry Meeting
St James' Vestry will meet virtually on November 11, at 7pm.
|
|
Stewardship at St James:
this year's letter and pledge cards will be mailed this month; keep an eye on your mailbox. On behalf of our Stewardship Team: Thank You to our St James family!
|
|
Online! 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.
Information on how to access these services can be found through our emails, our website, and on Facebook.
Services are uploaded every Sunday.
|
|
St James offers a livestreamed Evening Prayer Service on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, at 5pm. Join us via this Zoom link:
|
|
|
|
All are invited to join the Cathedral Church of St. Paul and a group of partner congregations who are coordinating an online prayer vigil for the diocesan community on Monday, November 2 at 7pm, to pray for our nation, for safe and fair elections, and for all candidates and voters. Bishop Alan M. Gates will offer the welcome and blessing.
Online prayer gatherings will continue at 7pm on November 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Click here to receive the Zoom link.
|
|
More resources for election season:
"Holding on to Hope" National Prayer Service: November 1 at 4pm, Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, with Washington National Cathedral, offers a live-streamed service to help our nation share in confession, grief, and hope in light of COVID-19, racial reckoning, and the historic election. Stream from the Episcopal Church's Facebook and YouTube sites and home webpage.
|
|
Racial justice and the climate crisis are the focus of resolutions to come before the Diocesan Convention at its virtual gathering on November 7. The theme of “Embracing Brave Change” is drawn from the multiyear diocesan mission strategy and is particularly resonant in this unusual year.
The convention will vote on the proposed $9-million diocesan budget for 2021, which sets aside $600,000 for targeted pandemic relief for congregations. It will also elect alternate deputies to the next Episcopal Church General Convention, and members of other diocesan governing bodies and groups.
Please keep in your prayers all participants, particularly our representatives from St James: Fr John, Liz Iacobucci, and Arthur Yarranton.
|
|
November birthday greetings and blessings:
Jim Chapman, Chris Dawe, Jamie Grant, Jamie Harlow, Linda Ballard, Pam Fenner, Liz Iacobucci, Joan Miller, Mort Gilbert, James Fahey
November wedding anniversary greetings and blessings:
Meg and Jamie Grant, Al and Debi Holt, Kelly and Charlie Bennett
|
|
Holiday Fair update! You're cordially invited to:
St James' virtual fair,
December 1 - 12:
A PARTRIDGE in a FAIR TREE
Please contact the following volunteers if you can donate:
Stay tuned for more details!
|
|
The Adventure Group: all are welcome
Join us, usually once a month, for physically distanced adventures (following all safety protocols).
Lately, our group has enjoyed visits to local venues, such as Hammond Castle, Prescott Park, America's Stonehenge, Winnekenni Castle, and more. What are your favorite spots?
Check our website Calendar of Events for information, or 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!
|
|
Women on the Journey: for all women
meets via Zoom for inspirational sharing, readings, and conversation.
|
|
We also are sharing our thoughts about this book:
Please email Kim with any questions or suggestions.
Blessings and peace to all!
|
|
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. Please email Jillian Knowles, Senior Warden at All Saints', to learn more: j5mknow@verizon.net or text 978 270 4062.
|
|
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at St James:
Wonder, Love, Encouragement!
Online classes continue - Zoom Godly Play lessons coming this month!
|
|
Every weekend, or at your leisure, check out
"Online Sunday School!" - our newsletter of Bible-based activities, full of wonder:
|
|
St James' Youth Class: The Lighthouse
Receivers of light, bringers of light!
Youth (and adults, too!) are invited - twice a month - to check out online self-led classes, a mini-retreat newsletter.
Click on an online class!
|
|
November 20: Youth Zoom Class at 6:30pm (link will be emailed)
"As for Me & My House" is the lesson. We're meeting every 3rd Friday, virtually. It's great to see each other (on Zoom) & catch up on everything!
|
|
Daylight Saving Time ends:
fall back!
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2am on Sunday, November 1st, All Saints' Day
|
|
Please send your prayer requests to the office. Let us pray together.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
