09.09.22 News and updates from St. James Church

Message of the Moment

A Royal Re-Start

As we Episcopalians at St. James Church in Wichita prepare to re-start our sense of community as this program year begins, The United Kingdom faces a re-start of their own. We are people of a parish who will find new life after years of pandemic and separation. The people of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales will find new life and different ways of defining the world as the United Kingdom transitions from the reign of HRH Queen Elizabeth II to a new way of being with HRH Charles III as King.

Initially, when the pandemic began and we started to feel its consequences, we looked forward to a time on the other side of the most acute phase of the plague. At first we thought we could go back to the way things were, but we now realize that years of disruption have made us different people. Our lives will change as a result of this experience.

Imagine the deeply worn grooves and habits that a 70 year reign can instill in people. Which parts of the past with the British people be eager to throw over? What will influence their decisions about change with a new King and the possibility (the hope?) of re-ordering their lives in the future?

As Christians, who are in the world but not of the world, we realize things are changing. Our faith bids us to remember that we need not change thoughtlessly. We have the opportunity to build meaning and intention into lives which were frantic and the point of life had been far too obscured. Let us hold on to our faith which teaches us that lives transformed by Christ are not ruled by fear. Living with the hope given to us in the resurrection of Jesus, we desire lives with time for communion with God, with a will to hear the still small voice of our souls, and which are always mindful of the needs of others.

Whether a re-start is new life granted through resurrection, the possibility of reshaping a realm, or an opportunity to make our life together at St. James more meaningful, we must keep our status as new creations front of mind. I close with the thought that re-starts are as Christian as it gets, and I offer these powerful words of Paul from the second letter of Corinthians 5:16-21.

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to God through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Together, let us create a righteous re-start. God bless you always. Mother Dawn+

To read more about the connection of the Episcopal Church to the Monarch in England, click here.

First Things First

Re-Start Sunday is on this Sunday, September 11th. Join us for a potluck breakfast and ministry fair from 9:30-10:45am!

If you would like to donate to the purse for Father Dillon, in thanks for his ministry at St. James, please mark your offering to St. James with his name in the memo by September 18.

The Readings this Week

Click here to go to the Lectionary Page

Click here for a free PDF download of the Book of Common Prayer

The Lessons appointed for the Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper Nineteen, Revised Common Lectionary, Year C

Exodus 32:7-14

Psalm 51:1-11

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Luke 15:1-10

Calendar

Parish News and Updates

Restart Sunday

Join us on Sunday, September 11 as we start the new program year!

We are starting the year off with Breakfast Sunday (pot-luck style) and a Ministry Fair. The parish will provide donuts, coffee, and orange juice. Bring a breakfast dish to share, and come to see what is happening at St. James!

The Welcome Committee would like to invite ALL newcomers to our special tables at Breakfast Sunday on Sept. 11th. We'd love to get to know each one of you and tell you more about St. James.

The Daughters of the King (DOK) gathering has been moved to Sunday, October 2 between services around 9:30 am in the Chapel. We look forward to seeing everyone! This year's chapter dues are $2/person.

Creation Care is meeting on September 13 at 5:45 pm on Zoom. This meeting is to reconnect after the summer to review where we are, provide updates, and plan for this fall. Anyone is invited to come, contact Mary Sloan or the parish office for the Zoom link.

This summer the St. James Creation Care Committee continued to gather information about solar panels and other positive ways to help God’s Creation. It also worked on identifying native plants that we will plant in the Memorial Garden this fall, starting on September 14 at 9 am. Volunteers who can help would be appreciated! Two of us attended the Diocesan Creation Care Task Force meeting by Zoom in August where we gained useful information and ideas.

Pocket Change Ministry: The Wichita Children’s Home is sponsoring a new program called Crossroads to aid run-away and troubled teens. The program provides counseling, temporary shelter, job training, and housing placement for teens. We are saving for a $500 donation to Crossroads. Thank you, St. James, for generously supporting our Pocket Change Ministry.

New Book! St. James/ St. Stephen's Book Club is reading The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith They meet every Thursday at noon and would love for you to join them! They are continuing to meet via Zoom for the month of September. Click here for the link. Questions, contact Mary Sloan.

Consider EfM - Education for Ministry

This four-year study course is available to anyone interested in broadening their knowledge of the Bible and Theology. Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM groups move toward a new understanding of the fullness of God’s realm. We will start up on September 14, at 6:30 pm. If interested or for more information contact Dr. Paul Rillema or Deb Bagby

Adult Forum gathers every Sunday between the worship services, EXCEPT on Breakfast Sundays, which are held on the second Sunday each month. Join us at 9:45 in the Guild Hall as we discuss the weekly readings in our series "Going off the Lectionary Grid."

Basic A is starting on September 20

Basic A is a short-term class introducing and exploring the Episcopal Church. People at any point on a faith journey are welcome in this group. Adults, and their guests, are invited to take part on Tuesday evenings at 6pm. These fun sessions, each about an hour long, are conversations for the curious.

Those to be confirmed as members of the Episcopal Church attend all sessions prior to their formal confirmation on Sunday morning, November 20.

Click here to learn more on our website!

Children and Youth

Lauren Schmeidler, a long-time member, is our new Nursery Coordinator! She is planning to start on Sept 11th and will be here each Sunday to love and cherish your kiddos in the Nursery. She is trained in CPR and Safeguarding God's Children. As a long-time volunteer in the Nursery, she is excited about this new opportunity. The nursery is open each Sunday from 8:15 am - 12:00 pm and special events for newborns to five years of age. We are still looking for volunteers to assist Lauren, contact Chelsea.

Youth Group Date to Remember: Don't forget! Youth Group starts back with a Kick-off Cookout on Sept. 21 at 6:00 pm! Feel free to bring some food to share. Every Wednesday following that, we will have a joint Middle/High School Youth Confirmation Class at 7:00 pm, with Deacon Jeff Roper leading. If you’re looking to get confirmed when the Bishop visits in November, make sure you come to all the classes! We can’t wait to see you back at Youth Group and to ring in the new Youth Program year together!

Wichita Minster News

Welcome Home Baskets for the rehoused

YAW (Young Adults Wichita) is a ministry of the Wichita Minster led by Father Dillon. It includes members from St. James, St. John’s, Good Shepherd, and St. Stephen’s. We meet weekly, currently Mondays at 6 p.m. (time/dates subject to change). If you know anyone interested in participating, please connect them with Dillon at 256-762-5110 or at dillongreen7@gmail.com. If you aren’t a young adult (18-35) and want to be involved, we are always looking for people to provide meals for the group each week. Instructions are to prepare for six to 10 people. If you’re interested in helping out that way, please contact Dillon.

See more information about the Wichita Minster on our website.

Prayers

Parish Prayers for the Week of September 11

Parish Prayers

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for The Church of Bangladesh

In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for Ghana, Nigeria

In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for the diocesan task forces: Care of Creation, Children’s Ministry, Evangelism, Global Partnerships, Justice & Racial Reconciliation, Liturgy, Music & the Arts, Mission & Outreach

St. James Church prays for these individuals as well:

Our seminarian, Maddy Bishop;

Those serving in the military:

J. David Anderson-Lusk, Will Corkins, Maureen Tanner.

Thanksgiving for the birth of Parker Liam Mather, born Aug. 14 to parents Ashley and Taylor Mather and grandparents Vicky and Jim Petty.

Those who have recently died: Sean Stephans; Judy Wilkinson

And those who have died in Septembers past: Anne Allen; Virginia Armstrong; Nancy Avery; Betty Bacon; Iris Bain; Walter Bentley; Jim Callender; Colin Carroll; Jackie Davis; Joan Downs; Larry Elliott; L. Fox; The Rev. Jackie Gossard; Jan Hutchison; Janet Jenkins; Philip Knight; Sandra Lyon; Mac McPherson; Craig Miner; Beverly Mitchell; Russell Nelson; José Peggs; LaVerle Phelps; Linda Rutherford; Beverly Sarver; Chuck Shield; Chuck Steele; Emmy Lou Stewart; M.P. Van Kueren

Those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity:

Sharon & Jerry; Astrid; Ryan; Cathy; Bill & Marjorie; Jan M.; Edna & James; Janet R.; Martha F.; Andy; Pat; Peggy S.; Gary; Deb H.; Bill and Jeri; Jayne P.; Barbara H.; Dana F.; Suzy R.; Phil S., Helen B., Bill and Carolyn, Dave W.; Carole, Bob and Sue; Marge R.; Pam M.; Dal; Gus; Joan J.; Martha L.; Betty; Sage; Joseph B.; Sam and Beth; Jerry M.; Joy J.; Jonathan

For the sake of privacy, we do not list the last names of those who are on our prayer list because of trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or adversity. We do our best to include last name initials in the event that two parishioners with the same first name exist.

If your prayers have been answered, let us rejoice with you. Please contact the office to let us know we can remove your prayer request. If you have prayers you would like added to the prayer list, please contact the office at office@stjameswichita.org or 316-683-5686.

Loving, Liberating and Life-Giving

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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