News from St. James' Episcopal Church
Sunday, November 29, 2020
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Rejoicing, praying and giving thanks
Vestry update by member Carolyn Briles
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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
It’s probably not a coincidence that the Thanksgiving weekend often signals the beginning of Advent. Looking back in gratitude is the natural thing to do before looking forward in hope. And that is what the Vestry did at our monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 24. We began by looking back and giving thanks for all of you, the faithful congregation of St. James.
In a year of the unimaginable, you were steady in spirit, gracious in heart, and generous in treasure. And the congregation continues with that generosity. The Stewardship Ministry reported that almost a third of those who received stewardship letters have already made a pledge for next year, and 10% of those are new pledges. In challenging times like a global pandemic, that measure of faith and growth in a congregation is truly something to be grateful for. In addition, about a third of pledges received are an increase in amount from last year, another marker that our life as a community in Christ is solid. Thank you for your commitment to God through the ministry of St. James.
That ministry will be even more inclusive next year as we move forward in developing plans to improve accessibility of our physical church. The Accessibility Task Force updated the Vestry on this effort and on preliminary sketches from our architect.
The Vestry also discussed plans for Advent, a season of preparation and waiting for Christ’s birth. Look in the weeks to come for Compline on Sunday evenings (see details below), for a service of Lessons and Carols, and for Christmas trees, both inside and out of the church.
This year with COVID on our minds and in our lives, Advent is especially poignant as a weary world waits for the light to shine in the darkness. As we look back, and as we look forward, we rejoice, we pray, and we give thanks in all circumstances.
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Join us for worship this Sunday! |
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Join us as we "go live" on Facebook
at 10 a.m.
to see our worship services.
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Compline: for families of all ages
Begins Sunday, November 29
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Beginning Sunday, Nov. 29, St. James' is beginning an online Compline service each Sunday at 5 p.m.
We will have a different family lead compline each of the Sundays of Advent and Christmas through Epiphany.
If your household would like to lead compline, please text or call me at (703) 555-7263. We will offer two ways to connect--via Zoom and streamed on Facebook Live.
Join us at 5 this Sunday via this Zoom meeting:
Meeting ID: 815 4227 0147
Passcode: 987130
We look forward to this time together!
-- Kara Laughlin
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Giving Thanks for a Plentiful Harvest |
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The first full season of the “St James' Community Garden” is coming to a close, and what a successful season it has been!
Thanks to the generosity of Rene and Sherri Dennis, we have about 1/3 of an acre of fertile soil that has produced all kinds of greens and beans, root vegetables, corn, carrots, pumpkin and so much more.
All in all, we have harvested almost a ton of nutritious vegetables that have been donated to Loudoun Hunger Relief.
They say many hands make light work. If you enjoy getting outside in the garden and wouldn’t mind giving a couple hours on occasion, please contact Wayne Newell at wnewell42@gmail.com and we can connect you to this wonderful opportunity.
We give thanks for the many Blessings the Lord gives us from His Earth.
-- Chris Cuellar, Vestry Member
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Thanks for your commitment to live generously! |
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A huge thank you to all of you who have already made a 2021 pledge of giving!
Your financial support, in the form of a pledge in support of St. James', is an essential component of our ability to carry out our work. We invite you to live generously! Your spiritual gifts and talents help St. James' carry out God's mission and ministry in this place.
While each of us has been challenged during the past months to evolve in ways we never could have imagined, our work at St. James' has evolved, too:
- A Virtual Worship Team has been created and our virtual worship services are enabling us to spiritually nourish people living near and far.
- YOUP! (our youth group for middle and high school students), coffee hours, and forums are helping us stay connected.
- The Garden Project was created and is delivering to Loudoun Hunger Relief thousands of servings of fresh and longer-shelf-life vegetables.
- We are also being fed by God's Word. Sunday School and Bible study continue online, and we have begun an Old Testament Bible Study to help us remember who we are as a spiritual family.
Please prayerfully consider the amount you pledge financially, so St. James’ can share God’s love with even more people and make a positive difference in the lives of people in our community and beyond.
Together, we can do the work God has given us to do.
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As you prepare for Advent, which begins Sunday, Nov. 29, consider these resources to guide you on your Advent journey. |
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Join an international community in prayer to explore the mystery and wonder of Advent: subscribe to daily meditations through Advent Word. You can sign up for daily emails here.
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If a traditional print Advent calendar is more to your liking, download and print this one from The Episcopal Church for 2020. It offers daily suggestions for engaging in the seven practices that encompass the Way of Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest. Keep it at your desk or on your fridge and refer to it every day!
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Grace to Go Returns | Volunteers Needed! |
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Since 2009, St. James' Grace to Go ministry has regularly prepared and provided nutritious meals to families in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for these services has grown.
Each week, community members gather to prepare meals at Deli South in Leesburg.
We need volunteers so our robust program can return to meet the needs of our community.
To ensure safety, we will be observing proper protocols:
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Masks: All participants will wear safety masks while inside Deli South and preparing meals.
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Gloves: Protective food preparation gloves will be provided for participants.
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Distancing: Safe distancing procedures will be followed during meal preparation.
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Grace to Go is also in need of 5 new captains to lead cooking operations on Sundays. Captains will coordinate and direct volunteers on the meal preparation process each Sunday.
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November Monthly Mission Partner:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
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During November and mindful of Veterans Day, we are praying for, learning about, and financially supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation which was created to honor the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001 – and to honor our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is committed to ensuring we never forget the events of 9/11 and the sacrifices that were made and continue to be made by our first responders and military in the line of duty. Tunnel to Towers aims to ensure stability and security for Fallen First Responder families, Military Gold Star families, and families of Catastrophically Injured Veterans – through mortgage-free homes for surviving spouses and children.
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In need of prayer? In need of care? |
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"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
The Church Office
703-777-1124
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When should you call?
- When you become seriously ill, are dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or condition, or are hospitalized for treatment, surgery, or rehabilitation.
- When you are experiencing a spiritual, physical, emotional or financial crisis.
- When you become concerned for the person who usually shares the pew with you because he or she has not been in church for a while.
- When you experience one of life's many transitions: a birth, a death, a job loss/change, a move, an empty nest, retirement, etc.
- When you need prayer and care, but don't want to "bother" anyone with your troubles -- please contact us anyway; you will not be "bothering" us!
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Those requesting our prayers this week: Jeff Brannock, Brianne Bailey and Family, the Lamberty Family, Alice Lynn, Mary Paul, Inez Peebles, Caroline Ennis, the Lynch Family, the Page family, John Marsh, and the Riley family, Mary Bracken, Jennifer Griffith, Tim MacNamara, for other persons: the Kevin and Margaret Sullivan Family, Heidi, Peter Schweitzer, Ann Stribling, Orma Call, Chris DeWaard, Jay Watkins, Mark and Meghan Roomsfa, Lori Turner, Charlotte, Christian Cutillo, Ruth Guerra, Miline Hughes, Erin Stanton, Barbara Rose, Nancy Hylton, Bridget Steel, Matthew Britto, Dewey, those who are unemployed or underemployed; and those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad. |
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St. James’ Vestry
Carolyn Briles
Katherine Bucklin
Chris Cuellar
Andy Durot
Jim Ferry
Tom Horne
Karen Knobloch
Mary Lou Leipheimer
Steve Mayo
Wayne Newell
Rebecca Page
Jane Roth, Secretary
Maddie Reece, Youth Representative
Treasurer
John Forcier
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St. James’ Clergy and Staff
Interim Rector
Dr. Steven Cooksey
Director of Music/Organist
Dr. Stephen Knobloch
Corner Chorale Music Director
Walter Litzenberger
Assistant Choir Director/Organist
Parish Administrator and Registrar
Janet Stayrook
Preschool Director
Adan Cortez
Lead Sexton
Francisco Ramos
Sexton
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