Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware

February 5th, 2023


We'd love for you to join us!


We would be pleased if you joined us in person or online from the comfort of your home for church services via Facebook Live at 9:30am.


https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/


Facebook  Instagram
Sunday Bulletin (February 5th)

“You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.”

 

These two phrases, pulled out of context, can seem like something Jesus is saying to one of us, individually, as a word of encouragement. Heard within the context of the Sermon on the Mount, though, we understand that these are words spoken to a group, to those who have gathered to hear what he has to say, to hear what he has to preach.

 

These words are important within the context of the Sermon on the Mount because they aren’t something that Jesus is telling the people to do in order to become something more. Instead, these are words from Jesus telling them something about who they already are.

 

“You are salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.”

 

It’s a reminder to them, and a reminder to us, that goodness already exists in each of them and that salt is best when it’s used to add flavor, and light is most useful when it illuminates the surroundings. Because of this truth, Jesus’s expectations of those who are listening is that they’ll allow themselves to add some flavor to the world and some light to their surroundings because, as we’re reminded, that’s what we were made to do.

Soup and Bread Success!

 

Thank you to everyone who provided soup and bread to share for our annual Soup and Bread Lunch this past Sunday. Thanks, also, to Pat Minor for helping to organize this event and to everyone who helped serve and clean up afterwards. There were many delicious soups available, and there was even more good fellowship to enjoy. Check out our Facebook page for photos from our morning together!

Ash Wednesday - Imposition of Ashes

 

Wednesday, February 22, is the beginning of the season of Lent, a time of penitence and fasting. In our tradition we mark this day with a service of Holy Eucharist and an imposition of ashes. This year we will have two services:

 

•         10:00 AM - Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes

•         7:00 PM - Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes

 

We invite you to the observance of a holy Lent, and we hope that you’ll be able to join us as we begin this formative season of the Church year.

2023 Bazaar News

 

Weather Permitting, the Bazaar Ladies will be back Tuesday, February 7th at 10:00 AM. 


They will discuss ideas and plans for this year’s Bazaar. Their regular weekly workshops will start on February 14th at 9:00 AM. They will also have their traditional Pot Luck Luncheon following their workshop on the 14th

 

The ladies enjoy their break after each year’s Bazaar, but are anxious to get back to their weekly workshops with their good friends. The fellowship we share each week is very important to all of us. We feel it contributes to the success of our yearly Bazaar.

 

If you are looking for something to do on Tuesday mornings, consider joining the Bazaar Ladies in the room at the bottom of the stairs in the Parish House. Newcomers are always welcome. Even if you think you aren’t crafty, there will be something you can do. We meet every Tuesday morning from 9:00–11:30.    

 

If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Patterson at (302) 239-7649 or Shirley Alexander at (302) 738-5331. Nancy and Shirley are the co-chairs of the Bazaar again this year.


The dates for the 2023 Bazaar are: 

Friday, November 3rd & Saturday, November 4th – Be sure to mark your calendars.

 

Remember to save your Zingo receipts. Zingo’s reimburses us 1% of the total receipts we submit to them. We average about $150 yearly from Zingo’s. The funds are used to purchase supplies for the projects the ladies make. There is a container marked “Zingo’s Receipts” in the foyer closet of the Parish House.  

 

Thank you for your continued support.

The St. James’ Bazaar Ladies

 

Update: The Tercentennial Capital Campaign


It’s hard to believe it has been several years since we wrapped up the Tercentennial Capital Campaign. While the campaign concluded, the completion of the projects that were identified continues.


One of the items on our original list included renovation of the Parish House kitchen. As you may have seen, these renovations are now underway including replacing the kitchen refrigerator and stove. Additionally the kitchen committee is working on upgrading the kitchen cabinets and countertops.


As a reminder, your generosity already funded the following items:

·        New church roof (including an engineering study)

·        New church furnace

·        New windows in church and Parish House

·        New Parish Hall front doors

·        New Parish Hall roof

·        Replacement of the sidewalks on the roadside

·        The platform replacement outside the great hall

·        Re-grading of the Parish Hall grounds for drainage


We wish to express our gratitude for your support in making this all possible.


Thanks,


The Tercentennial Capital Campaign Committee

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…

 

Meals on Wheels


Thanks again to Sherry Cernos, volunteer coordinator for St. James' Meals on Wheels program, (Sherry took over after her dad, Ed Clark, served for many years!) for her leadership and thanks to those who are supporting this ministry.  January 23-27 is our first week to serve our neighbor's in Del Park Manor. 


We provide individuals and couples with a hot lunch and a smile. Many times we are the only people they see in their day. Please keep those we serve and the staff at the Mid-County Senior Center, who make these meals, in your prayers. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please call Liz in the church office (302-994-1584) and she'll get you connected with Sherry.  


Emmanuel Dining Room


Tuesday, January 31st is our next day to serve lunch at the Emmanuel Dining Room (EDR) in Wilmington. 


We'll be serving our meatball subs, fruit, chips, and cookies with milk to our guests who come for their noon lunch. Most of our guests are without housing or living in low-income housing in the city. And, for many this is their only meal of the day.


    If you'd like to help by making cookies, please bring them to the parish hall kitchen and put them in the freezer by Monday, January 30th and mark them EDR. 


    If you'd like to make a donation to help in the purchase of food items, please indicate EDR in the memo section of your check and put it in the Sunday collection plate or send into the office.


  If you'd like to learn more about this ministry, please call Liz in the church office (302-994-1584) and she'll connect you with Pat Minor or Cindy Fauerbach.


We are taking a hiatus from making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches this time and will resume on Thursday, March 30th the day before our March 31st lunch.


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

Prayer Team Updates


The prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office at 302-994-1584, 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. They are compiled weekly and then these requests are lifted up in the daily prayers of the team members. 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

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.

“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.  


Philippians 2:3


"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."


Prayer for Sunday


O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/

For Access to the News of the Diocesan Publications
The Net
COVID-19 RESPONSE
February Calendar
Visit our website
St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

302.994.1584