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Help Wanted
Help wanted - these are two words which say a lot when they are together. We usually think of them in the realm of employment, but it also applies in the vast universe of volunteering, and in our petitions to God, family, and friends.
I texted Danny this week and said, “I need help.” In the course of filling the position of parish secretary (a.k.a. administrative assistant and communications coordinator) I want him to help me in the discernment of selecting the right person for a very important job. I fear we are drawing close to the end of beloved Deb Bagby’s willingness to set her retirement aside. After all, she was initially asked to be with us through the Olde English Tea. If you know of someone who is great on the computer, has an eye for design, and has the personality of the person you would like to speak to on the phone, then please let me know.
Speaking of the Olde English Tea, it is this Saturday – tomorrow!! I know there are many people out there who have been looking forward to the return of this event – and even if you have never been to “The Tea,” now is a perfect time to hop on board and offer last minute help. There is always plenty to do at the end of preparation!
If you are thinking about volunteering, that is wonderful, and I would also like you think more broadly about being a volunteer. Done in a manner where we put the needs of others ahead of our own, then it isn’t just about you and the time and resources you could spare. Instead, think of the large group of people who are our members, but who can’t come to church. There are many reasons someone gets into this situation. Some people are kept at home by: being isolated at home; not having access to a car; having physical limitations; being especially vulnerable to a COVID infection; or being chronically ill.
We healthy, wealthy people complain about the limitations the pandemic has placed on our access to fellowship, worship, and the Holy Eucharist. Imagine that by no choice of your own you have not been able to come to St. James for an even longer period of time. Think of how you would long for some kind of meaningful connection with the parish in which you once loved taking an active part. If you would like to offer this kind of very wanted help to members of our congregation, now is the time to talk to me or notify the parish office. It is time for us to reclaim the privilege of taking the blessed sacrament to others. This is called being a Eucharistic Visitor. Please, identify yourself to find out more and to get trained. Your help is very wanted.
There is another category of people who have suffered a family crisis, been stricken by acute illness, or confined to a hospital or rehab facility. These people need a special level of prayer, presence, and pastoral care for a limited period of time. They need your notes of encouragement, your phone calls, sometimes your cooking, and in-person visits. Please let me know if this is the kind of help you would want to provide to a member of our congregation.
I would be curious to know how many people have opened a search engine on the internet (like Google) and have typed in a single word: “Help.” I think the 1-800 number for the suicide prevention hotline comes up (the number is actually 1-800-273-8255). While people do occasionally need this kind of urgent help, many others are wonder how they can manage an existing relationship, get out of trouble, stop being their own worst enemy, find a direction in life, pay a bill, help a suffering world, heal the environment, or put an end to loneliness, to aimlessness. When something like this looms over you, and you can’t find the answer to your gnawing question, the place to turn for the kind of help you want is to God. Talk to God. Pray to God. Ask God. Express everything on your heart with which you want help. It is my experience that you will eventually find your petitions to God turning into to questions of what God wants. Once you perceive the direction of God’s will, it is then that the help you want begins to emerge. There is help and hope.
Just in case you’ve missed out on some of the parish’s recent “help wanted” postings, let me remind you that we need to hire a nursery worker for Sunday morning (both services). We are also actively seeking someone or some ones to fill the Music Director, Organist, and Choir Leader rolls. If you see other things you would like to help with in our community, identify yourself. Don’t doubt whether you are wanted, because you very much are wanted to take an active part in the life of our parish. We (or I) have a whole bunch of help wanted in terms of reading minds, so have mercy on me. Don’t make me guess at your willingness to help. You are wanted, needed, and already being prayed for. God bless you all.
Peace, Mother Dawn+
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The next issue of the Seasons newsletter will be mailed May 23. Please send submissions to the church office by Friday, May 13.
Indicate “Summer Seasons” in the subject line and send to office@stjameswichita.org.
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TEA DAY! Help needed, to assemble fruit and vegetable platters, make cucumber and other open-faced sandwiches, throughout the day. We'll need help in the tray room, refilling the tea and the tea tables.
There's still time
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Tea Table Sweets: We need at least 2,500 bite-size cookies, bars, tarts, muffins, and candies. Hint: anything made in a mini-muffin pan is the “right” size for the tea table. If your recipe for regular-size cookies makes 3 dozen, you’ll get 5-6 dozen tea-size. Please label your baked goods and deliver them to the tray room (lounge) 1-2 days before the Tea.
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And don’t forget the Bake Shop: “regular size” cookies and treats are needed, including pies, cakes, and breads. Please package them attractively and price them, if you wish. These may also be left in the lounge. Be sure to indicate these are for the bake sale.
Many thanks!
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Lessons appointed for
the Fourth Sunday of Easter
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Parish News and Updates
St. Stephen’s/St. James book club is now reading The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri and will meet in person at noon, Thursdays in the Fireside Room at St. Stephens. We welcome you.- Mary Sloan
Adult Forum: Going off the Lectionary Grid. Join us at 9:45 for enlightening discussion. on the day's readings.. All are welcome!
Ted Lasso!? – Yes! "The Theology of Ted Lasso" is offered Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. through June 15. We will meet in the Guild Hall at St. James Church and no masks are required (for the time being). This discussion series requires no preparation. Mother Dawn leads the discussion.
Children and Youth
Get ready to camp! Our VBS theme this year is Compassion Camp. We will take a 4-day adventure growing in compassion and spreading love to the world. We will incorporate camping and turn St. James into its own campsite. This adventure is for our preschool-incoming 6th graders and it is completely free! Register at: www.myvbs.org/stjameswichita. We will need lots of volunteers and materials, be on the lookout for those announcements. Questions? Contact Chelsea at formation@stjameswichita.org
We need Nursery Volunteers! Our little ones are looking forward to the Nursery being open again (well maybe the parents more). In order to do that we need nursery volunteers. This is an only once a month commitment, at either the 8:30 or 10:45 service. You will be trained in Safeguarding God's Children. Please consider this VERY important opportunity to love our children at St. James. Please contact Chelsea if you are interested! formation@stjameswichita.org
Paxton Blessing Box! You can drop off food at anytime, please leave items on the stairs next to the Church office Please donate non-perishable goods and hygiene products. Read more
Outreach
Pocket Change Ministry: Thanks to the generosity of our parish, we are sending a check for $500. this week to the Kansas Children’s Service League. The check will go to the Kinship Navigator Program, a program that helps grandparents and other relatives who are serving as foster parents with unusual expenses like car seats, legal fees, and other items. Beginning Sunday, May 8 wee will begin saving toward a gift for St. Francis Ministries and their Go-Wichita Fund, a fund that provides special needs for foster children, needs such as sports fees, field trip fees, and so forth. Your gifts to the Pocket Change Ministry are making a difference for children and families in need!
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House Bill SB493 - Vetoed by the governor.
No motion to reconsider vetoed bill; Veto sustained.
This bill prohibits cities and counties from regulating plastic and other containers designed for the consumption, transportation or protection of merchandise, food or beverages.
Check our Creation Care page for updates on legislation and other information by clicking here.
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Breakthrough ESS rehouses unhoused adults at a rate of about one adult per week, so, taking our cue from the 52 weeks of the year and the Great 50 Days of Easter, the churches of the Minster will be collecting and assembling 13 baskets, for a total of 52 baskets!
Father Dillon is offering Morning Prayer by Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Morning Prayer Zoom Link.
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.
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Tell Your Story
The Wichita Public Library has a program called TELL YOUR STORY which is collecting local history related to the pandemic. St. James' longevity, celebrating our 100th at the same time as the pandemic, and the perspective of many of our members, could provide specific, meaningful reflections of our own history. Check it out. Click here to find out more.
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100th Anniversary
Capital Campaign
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The 100th Anniversary Capital Campaign has had 59 donors/pledgers to our ongoing Centennial Capital Campaign:. This puts us at $405,492, which is 108 percent of our $375,000 goal! The campaign will run until June 1st, so there's still time for members to be part of this historic event.
We thank the following members and friends of St. James for their generous donations and pledges: Ken & Tammy Breeden, Pat Butin, Pam Callender, Barry & Nancy Carroll, Mary Druding, Bonnie Fitts, Chris & Cara Gerhardt, Gus Gossard, Mary & Pete Halley, Kurt & Kelly Harper, Larry Heeren, Terry & Gerry House, Bill & Jerri Moss, Jeff & Amber Newlin, Jim & Vicki Petty, Susan Picotte, Jay Price, Brad & Marilyn Rine, Laura Shaffer, Mary Sloan, Peter & Judie Storandt, Joe & Maureen Tanner and Marj Williams.
Please remember that you can pledge over a three-year period. No pledge is too small. We value all contributions. All contributors will be named on a plaque at the end of the campaign. If you have any questions about the campaign, please talk to Mother Dawn, Joan Moore or Woody Swain.
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Parish Prayers for the Week of May 6 |
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For our seminarian: Maddy Bishop;
Pray for those serving in the military: Will Corkins, J. David Anderson-Lusk and Maureen Tanner.
Pray for those who have died: Larry Soice, Craig Cowdery, Gary Fast (husband of Taci and son-in-law of Eddie Huitt), Jan Moreland (Jarl’s mother), Mike (brother of Cathy Wuu), Jean Showalter Lehr, Fred Bell, Merleyn Calvin:
Pray for those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity: Jayne, Karen T., the Beaudoin family, Dana Foley, The Keenan family, Ron H., Peg B., Suzy R., Taci F., Sue R., Ashley M., Phil S., Isabella, Cathy W., Helen B., Marcia & Lowell, Bill & Carolyn, Dave W., Kitty, Luree, Laura S., Bob & Sue, Marge, Pam M., Dal, Gus, Joan J., Martha, Betty, Sage, Joseph, Sam & Beth, Jerry, Joy J., Judy T.
Our Parish Prayer List: All members of our parish community are asked to pray for each person on our prayer list. To share your prayers of thanksgiving (births, weddings, new jobs, anniversaries, etc.), to notify us that someone you love is serving in the military, to share that you or someone you love is suffering, or to tell us of a death, please call 316-683-5686 or email office@stjameswichita.org.
If your prayers have been answered,
we would love to rejoice with you.
Please let us know so your name may be removed
from our list of people most urgently in need. Thank you.
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A Prayer for Victims of the Andover Tornado
Gracious God, you have taught us that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your beloved people. Look with pity upon the sorrows of your people who were negatively impacted by storm or tornado in our area Friday. Strengthen us to respond to their needs, and in your mercy, nourish their souls with patience. We ask you to comfort them with the knowledge that they are held up by a community seeking to do your will, give them a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Easter Prayer
Almighty God,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you
in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Prayer for Ukraine:
God of all peoples and nations,
Who created all things alive and breathing,
United and whole,
Show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence.
We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia,
Every child and every adult.
We long for the time
When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares
When nations no longer lift up sword against nation.
We cry out to you for peace;
Protect those who only desire and deserve
to live in security and safety
Comfort those who fear for their live
s and the lives of their loved ones
Be with those who are bereaved.
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression
And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.
Kindle again in us a love of our neighbor,
And a passion for justice to prevail
and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace.
Creator of all hear our prayer
And bring us peace. Make us whole. Amen.
Prayers for refugees
and those held in captivity.
Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Merciful God,
we cry to you from the depths of our concern
for those wrongly imprisoned or held captive:
for those trying to secure their release,
that the ways of peace and diplomacy may prevail over acts of violence and aggression,
that their captors may know a change of heart;
through him who was sent to proclaim liberty for captives
and to set free those who are oppressed,
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
O Lord God,
your Son Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In his resurrection
he restores life and peace in all creation.
Comfort, we pray, all victims of intolerance
and those oppressed by their fellow humans.
Remember in your kingdom those who have died.
Lead the oppressors towards compassion
and give hope to the suffering.
Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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