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Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware
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This week, Jesus asks the disciples that famous question: “Who do people say that I am?” This gives them a chance to voice some of their own thoughts about who he is and what they’ve gotten themselves into, but they get to do it with anonymity, saying, “Well, people are saying...”
“Some say Elijah. Some are saying John the Baptist. Or one of the other prophets!”
With each name, whether it’s Elijah or John the Baptist or one of the others, certain expectations of who Jesus is come into play. And the problem with expectations is that they better be fulfilled, or the people will move on to someone who will fulfill them.
But then, Jesus takes away the chance for them to hide behind anonymity and asks instead, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter, always the first with his hand up, replies, “You’re the messiah!”
This, too, comes with all sorts of expectations, but when Jesus tells them the messiah must suffer and die and then be resurrected, Peter’s having none of it. We see, though, that the way God enters into our world, the way we experience Christ in the world, is often in those unexpected ways and unexpected moments and we’re reminded that the way of God, the way of the Cross, is very often opposite the way of humankind.
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Bishop’s Visit - September 22nd
The Right Reverend Kevin S. Brown will have his annual visit with us on September 22nd at our 9:30 AM service. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather together to celebrate who we are as Episcopalians, as members of the Episcopal Church in Delaware, and our place in the worldwide Anglican Communion. We look forward to his visit and having you join us, and everyone is invited to the reception following the service.
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Emmanuel Dining Room Ministry
Seven times a year (in months with 31 days), Saint James’ volunteers work hard to offer a yummy lunch for the guests of Emmanuel Dining Room. By shopping smartly, they serve between 185 and 200 meals to children, women, and men for about $3 per person. Thanks to Cindy Fauerbach and Pat Minor for championing this ministry.
Thanks to Larry Heinold for capturing the July work of this group.
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A time for you ...
to discover something new within yourself!
Sponsored by The Episcopal Church in Delaware's Commission on Ministry, the Diocesan Day of Discernment is an opportunity for all to come together to discern their Baptismal call of service to our church whether it be a call to lay ministry or a potential call to ordained ministry.
This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about our partnership with the Stevenson School for Ministry in raising up new leaders for our parishes.
RSVP by October 10 to COM@delaware.church.
For more information contact the Rev. Jeffrey A. Ross
Chair of the Commission on Ministry at jross@stpeterslewes.org
- Saturday, October 19
- 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
- St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
- Followed by the Philadelphia Eleven film at 3:00 p.m.
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In an act akin to civil disobedience, a group of women and their supporters organize their ordination to become Episcopal priests in 1974. The Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia welcomes them, but change is no small task. The women are harassed, threatened, and banned from stepping on church property.
In this feature-length documentary film, we meet the women who challenge the very essence of patriarchy within Christendom and succeed in building a movement that transforms an age-old institution.
Everyone is invited to the film screening at 3:00 p.m. on October 19, in the Englehard Theater at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown. There will be a panel discussion following the film, where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. The discussion will be moderated by the Rev. Louise Howlett (the fifth woman ordained in the Episcopal Church in Delaware, the first woman chaplain at St. Andrew’s School, and founding chaplain at St. Anne’s Episcopal School) and Canon Marianne Ell (the first woman ordained in the Diocese of Easton and the Canon for Strategic Mission in the Episcopal Church in Delaware).
Advance registration is required. Reserve your spot today by registering here
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St. James' Mission and Outreach updates
Sharing God’s gifts with others
Reaching out to those in need
And serving them with dignity and respect…
New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.
What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running. Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance.
If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.
How can you help?
Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.
Current items needed:
- Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
- Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
- Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
- Tide pods or other laundry pods
- NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
- New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
- New books for adults and children
Please drop the items off:
· Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch
Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.
· On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.
We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.
Thank you,
St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry
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Prayer Team Updates
Sunday Prayers of the People. If you would like someone to be lifted in prayer at our Sunday service, please call the church office at 302-994-1584. The person's name will remain on the list for three weeks. If at that time you would like the person's name to remain on the list, please call the office again.
The parish prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office, to individual members of the prayer team, or requests left in the prayer basket in the church foyer. We collect the prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world. All are welcome and encouraged to share their prayers.
For those who have an immediate prayer need, we invite you to email your prayer needs and request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675.
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St. James' Pastoral Care Team
St. James' Pastoral Care Team continues to support our parish family and our community.
If you or someone you know is in need, we:
· send cards, make phone calls, and pray with you and/or for you.
· Make home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits.
Please call the office (302-994-1584) and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Messages are retrieved daily, seven days a week.
Please let us know if you need us or someone you know needs us. We will not know if you do not tell us.
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“Blessful” Meditations
We all know that life can be a little stressful and hectic sometimes. We hope that by reading this short bible passage and watching a relaxing video will help you take a moment and reflect on God’s gifts.
Romans 15:4
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
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A Prayer for forgiveness, from Daily Prayer for All Seasons
Holy One, we praise you for the wonders of your creation: make us joyful and faithful stewards. As the day grows long,Bless us with the gift of laying down our burdens. And not ours only: Help us lift the weights we have placed on others and on your creation. Create in us, again and always, your heart of grace. May we rest on the sure foundation of your love. Amen.
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For Access to the News of the Diocesan Publications
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St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
302.994.1584
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