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Hi, St. James, from my new apartment in Madison, AL!
First, I want to say an enormously large THANK YOU to all of you for the generous gifts you gave me as I left Wichita—physical, monetary, spiritual, and otherwise! Monetarily, your check of $2,670 has enabled me to make this transition with as little anxiety and stress as possible, and I can’t express how much that means. I’m also carrying away some wonderful keepsakes with me to remember you by, including a gorgeous scarf, a warm blanket, and some beautiful works of art.
As I’ve been unpacking my things, I’ve had the chance to read again through the notes and cards I received, and my heart is full with the memories of the 15 months of ministry we got to live together. I’ve said it in so many words already, but it cannot be overstated how much you have taught me, mostly in the way you imitate the love of Christ for and toward each other. That love and those lessons, which like every good gift have their source in God, will ever continue to be foundational to any ministry I am a part of. I miss you so much already, but as many of you expressed to me as I left, this is no goodbye. So, I’ll say this—see y'all soon!
Much love and many, many blessings!
Father Dillon+
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This weekend, the Guild Hall Players are performing The Country Girl. Remaining performances for this production are Friday and Saturday night at 8pm, and Sunday at 7pm.
Please pick up your copy of the Perpetual Memorial and Endowment Funds 2021 Annual Report in the front entryway of the church. There are three containers with alpha dividers and you'll find yours there. Thanks from your PMEF board.
Stewardship packets were sent in the mail last Friday. If you have not received your Stewardship packet, please contact the office. This was our first stewardship mailing since we transitioned to the new software and Krystal's first year pulling the mailing information together, so it would be helpful to hear if we have details to work out for future mailings. We would be happy to mail a packet to you, or you can pick up a generic packet from the table by the front doors.
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Halloween Party and Chili Cook-Off
Save the Date! We are bringing back our community wide Halloween Party and Chili Cook-off on Wednesday, October 26. There will be games, candy, and a "haunted" event put on by the youth group for all the kids in our community. You are invited to bring sides for the chili cook-off. If you'd like to enter the competition with your own award-winning chili and/or volunteer, email Chelsea.
We will need donations of candy and toys for the kids at the Halloween party. You can drop off a bag of goodies in the basket marked Halloween party by the front doors. If you'd like to volunteer for a game please contact Chelsea. The youth group also need donations of large cardboard boxes (big enough to crawl through) for the haunted maze. Thank you!
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YOU ARE INVITED! Join the Outreach Committee for our meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 4:00 p.m. From our speaker, Jessica Ciriaco, we will learn about the Pando Initiative’s work with struggling students in USD 259, and we will learn about their innovative Finance Workshop for high school and middle school youth. This workshop called Reality U offers a creative way for students to think about the relevance of their education to their future earning power. A number of St. James parishioners have volunteered previously for Reality U, and we hope, once again, to encourage volunteer experience with Reality U. See you on the 25th.
Creation Care - Want a way to reduce your use of plastics while also using natural, eco-friendly products? Try Grate Fill, Wichita's first refill shop. Just bring in a pre-cleaned bottle or purchase one at the store and then fill it with your favorite product. There are many to choose from! Grate Fill is located in Bradley Fair and is open 10 to 7 Monday-Saturday and 12 to 6 Sunday. For more information visit www.gratefill.com
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New Book, and In-Person! St. James/St. Stephen’s Book Club is starting The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian on October 13 and will meet in person at St Stephen’s at noon. They meet every Thursday at noon and new reading fans are always welcome. Questions, contact Mary Sloan.
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Membership Connections with Realm
Exciting changes are coming for members! We have recently updated the computer software (you may have heard staff mentioning ‘Realm’), and in a few weeks we will be inviting members to create their own log-in. This will allow you to update contact information and pledge/giving info, and see church events (including Zoom links for online meetings & events). We will announce when the emails inviting you to join are going to come out. We are hoping for a smooth transition and useful experience for everyone. More updates will be coming soon!
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Our Annual Blanket Drive for the Homeless served by Humankind’s winter shelters here in Wichita has started. Please bring new, home-made, or serviceable blankets of any size to church. Just leave them in the basket by the red doors, and we will deliver them. Thank you!
Our Pocket Change Ministry has recently presented a check for $500 to Wichita Children’s Home for their program called CrossRoads. This program focuses on the homeless youth of South-Central Kansas. The CrossRoads shelter officially opened last month in order to help provide Wichita’s youth with the resources they need to move out of homelessness and into sustainable living arrangements. For more information on all services provided by Wichita Children’s Home, go to www.wch.org. Thank you St. James’ members, for making our Pocket Change Ministry such a heartfelt success.
HELPING UKRAINE: Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is partnering with other churches to help endangered citizens in Ukraine. By joining with the Convocation of Episcopal Churches of Europe and the ACT Alliance (ecumenical alliance of 130 groups), ERD is providing food, shelter, and transit for people fleeing the war, as well as food, shelter, and comfort for those unable to leave- the elderly, women, and children. In addition ERD and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe are working inside Europe to provide refugee resettlement as well as psychological and social care for refugees.
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Lauren Schmeidler, a long-time member, is our new Nursery Coordinator! 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. | |
Parish Prayers for the Week of October 16 | |
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In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
Pray for Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America
In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer:
Pray for Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico
In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer:
Pray for diocesan staff, the Council of Trustees, and the upcoming Diocesan Convention
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
Those who have recently died: Diana Samuelson;
And those who have died in Octobers past: Larry Anderson; Tunice Blair; Kathleen Cox; Rollie Enoch; Dennis Evans; Joanne Fleming; Constance Fort; Carl Haas; Alfred Littleton; Dorothy Love; Al McClure; Donald Pipkin; Tish Ralstin; Marjorie Riley; Paul Shannon; Bud Shaw; Eden Strutt
Those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity:
Ron D.; John R.; Marge Rine & family; Janet R.; Phil S., Celia B.; Sylvester; Darwin P.; Sharon & Jerry; Astrid; Ryan; Cathy; Bill & Marjorie; Jan. M., Edna & James; Janet R.; Martha F.; Andy S.; Pat; Peggy S.; Gary; Deb H.; Bill and Jeri; Jayne P.; Barbara H.; Dana F.; Suzy R.; Helen B., Bill and Carolyn, Dave W.; Carole; Bob and Sue; Pam M.; Dal; Gus; Joan J.; Martha L.; Betty; Sage; Joseph B.; 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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Spiritual Life: 2022 Calendar of Retreats | |
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Guided Christian Meditation
Saturday, October 22, 7:30-8 am
St. Mary's Chapel, Grace Cathedral, Topeka
Spiritual Deepening for Parish Life
Saturday, November 19, 2022, 9:30 am-2 pm
St. Andrew's, Emporia
Learn contemplative prayer methods to bring to parish meetings and other groups to form spiritual community, support discernment, and shape prayer groups.
Advent Quiet Day: Let it Be, the spirituality of Mary of Nazareth
Saturday, December 3, 2022, 9 am - 2 pm
Grace Cathedral and Bethany Garden
The Canon for Spiritual Life and Clergy Care is offering quiet days and retreats around the diocese throughout the year. A complete list is kept on their website. If you would like to invite her to create something for your parish, minster or convocation please reach out.
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