June 18th, 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/

As Jesus’s mission and ministry continue and he goes about the cities and villages, upon seeing the crowds, “he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

It’s a moment of recognition for Jesus of the great amount of suffering that exists in the world around him. It’s hard to imagine Jesus being shocked by what he sees, but he takes this chance to empower the apostles to go out and do some of that same work he’s been doing, spreading the message of Gospel as far as possible, proclaiming everywhere they go, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

The instructions he gives them might make many of us (all of us?) re-think what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, especially when he tells them to go out with no money and no clothing and to only rely on the generosity of the people they encounter, which also isn’t guaranteed. These are big instructions, though, because the suffering that they see is big, and it’s not unlike the suffering and oppression we see in our own world. Notice, though, that Jesus’s directions to the apostles are not about telling them that something better will take place at some point later on. Instead, they are supposed to help the kingdom come nearer to where they already are.

This can challenge us, too, because it means in order for us to be able to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of heaven for others, we have to be able to proclaim it for ourselves first. This means not only seeing the work of God in our lives in the past but also where we see God in action today, continuing to alleviate the suffering of others through people as ordinary as you and me.

Parish Cookout - July 2nd after Church!

On Sunday, July 2nd, we will have a covered dish picnic lunch following the 9:30 service. Join us for grilled hot dogs, chips, sodas, and water, and if you have a favorite salad, side dish, or dessert, please feel free to bring it along, and f you can't bring anything, please come anyway. There will be plenty to around, and we hope to see you there. Call the Parish Office for more details.

Celebrating This Year's Graduates!

For the month of June we will be highlighting a different graduate each week. We are so proud of each and every one of them!

Alissa (Aly) Hall

Alissa (Aly) Hall will be graduating from the University of Delaware with a bachelors degree in Meteorology and Climate Sciences. She will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in the fall for her Maters Degree in Weather and Climate Risks and Data Analytics. She is the daughter of Valerie and Brian Hall and the granddaughter of Sue and Dan Strecker. She has been a member of St. James for 23 years and has served as an acolyte, lay-reader, convention delegate and youth representative at the episcopal youth event in 2023. In college she was an active member in the Episcopal Campus ministry and served as the president. 

Fun fact: Aly Hall and Katie Joynt have been friends since they were 4 years old! Sunday school, youth group, mission trips, confirmation and now graduation from UD! 

Juneteenth

The parish office will be closed June 19th in honor of Juneteenth. Thank you very much for your kindness and understanding.

Rectory Roof Repair

Over the coming weeks we will begin a roof replacement on our Rectory, which currently serves as the administrative offices for Family Promise of Northern New Castle County. Many of Family Promise’s needs have changed in the post-COVID time, and your generosity toward their work has continued. Following a recommendation from the Financial Advisory Committee and the Vestry, we would like to move half of the money given toward Family Promise to go toward the roof repair. If you have contributed financially to Family Promise through St. James’ and have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us through the Parish Office or throughout the week.

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

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.  

3 John 1:4

"I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth."

Anglican Prayer for Father’s Day



Thank you, God, for all who show a father’s love in our world. Thank you for those who are special to us. Be close to those who are sad today. Help us now that you, our Father, are always close. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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