The Halloween Party and Chili Cook-off are at 5:30 p.m. this Wednesday, the 26th. This is an all-ages, community-wide event.

Sunday, October 23 ends our Blanket Drive. We have collected a large number of blankets. Special thanks for the fleece fabric remnants which have been made into blankets. When we deliver the blankets next week, we will post our final number. We will be proud to deliver so many blankets to Humankind for their homeless shelters. Thank you St. James!

Please pick up your copy of the Perpetual Memorial and Endowment Funds 2021 Annual Report in the front entryway of the church. There is a container with alpha dividers and you'll find yours there. Thanks from your PMEF board.

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 Feast of St. James of Jerusalem

Acts 15:12-22a

Psalm 1

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Matthew 13:54-58

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.

Our Pocket Change Ministry is now saving for a gift to Breakthrough ESS to assist with funding for their Residential Payee Program. Breakthrough operates the largest Organization Representative Payee program in the state of Kansas. They help clients obtain financial security by ensuring that their day to day bills for food and shelter are met. The program is funded by a nominal fee, but many clients are unable to pay the fee until they become financially stable. Breakthrough does help many clients reach and maintain financial security. Our next Pocket Change gift will help secure this vital program at Breakthrough ESS.

MINSTER MEETING: On Tuesday evening, Oct. 11, our Minster met at Good Shepherd. Representing St. James parish were Deacon Jeff Roper and Outreach Pocket Change Co-Chair Vicki Evans. Both Jeff and Vicki report that the sharing of projects and ideas at this meeting was valuable.

From the World Wildlife Federation and shared with us by the Diocesan Creation Care Task Force: “The Recovering America's Wildlife Act is the most significant investment in wildlife conservation in a generation. It's also the only federal conservation program that guarantees sustained funding for Native Nations. Earlier this June, the bill passed in the House of Representatives, and now, it's the Senate's turn to advance this important legislation quickly.”

Consider asking our US Senators to support it and urge them to bring it to a vote in the Senate. 

Did you know that the Diocesan Creation Care Task Force has a Facebook page? Please check it out next time you’re on Facebook.

St. James/St. Stephen’s Book Club started The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian on October 13. They meet in person at St Stephen’s every Thursday at noon. New reading fans are always welcome. Questions, contact Mary Sloan.

Fall Youth Weekend is November 5-6. This is a special occasion when the children and youth of St. James participate in leading worship and we celebrate the youngest members of our congregation and their ministry among us. The Fall Youth Weekend is November 5-6. If you want to confirm your participation (or your child's participation) in the service, please contact Chelsea at formation@stjameswichita.org, or talk to any children's or youth mentors. The Spring Youth Weekend will be May 3-4. 

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.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: 

Pray for Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo 

In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer: 

Pray for the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer: 

Pray for St. Luke’s, Wamego 

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: Astrid Ankenbrand; 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:

Josh; Monica; Rhys; Kai; Tammy; Ken; Ron D.; John R.; Marge Rine & family; Janet R.; Phil S., Celia B.; Sylvester; Darwin P.; Sharon & Jerry; 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.

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.

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.