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Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, clocks are set forward 1 hour (i.e., losing one hour) to “spring forward.” Since the time changes at 2:00 A.M., we generally change our clocks before bed on Saturday. Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on Mar 12, 2023 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening.
This Sunday is Breakfast Sunday! Join us in the Guild Hall between services (9:30-10:45am) for a potluck breakfast. If you are able, bring your favorite breakfast dish to share.
A New Sacred Ground Dialogue Circle Begins Tuesday, March 21 at 6:00 pm. This is an excellent and emotional education about race in America. To find out more about Sacred Ground, talk to Deb Bagby or John Robison who will facilitate, visit the Episcopal Church's webpage, and/or see this PDF. The dialogue circle will meet in person on the the third Tuesday evening each month.
Adult Forum on Sunday, March 19 features Father Andy Houltberg and the Bridges out of Poverty curriculum. Join us at 9:45 in the Guild Hall.
The Ministry of Eucharistic Visitors begins soon (immediately following Easter). Volunteers are welcome to join this crucial and caring ministry to individuals who are not able to be with us at worship. Please email motherdawn@stjameswichita.org to express interest and become an EV today.
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The Episcopal Revival
Most of us are familiar with the idea of a Christian Revival. If you can remember the ministry of Billy Graham, then you know what I’m talking about. There are other types of Christian revival which still go on today: an evangelistic series of meetings for the restoration of the church. When we think of this form of Christian gathering, full of fervor, the way of Episcopal worship seems to be at the other end of the spectrum.
Instead of being the type of denomination which builds vitality in worship through intense experiences of the supernatural by way of the Holy Spirit, The Episcopal Church is known to be a denomination which typically appeals to the mind and reason as its source of faith’s fire kindled in our hearts by learning through holy scripture, administration of the sacraments, and the embrace of science.
All of that being said, Lent, Passiontide (the 5th Sunday of Lent through Easter), and Holy Week are the Episcopal (Anglican) version of a revival. Our revival doesn’t include clapping, jumping, being slain in the spirit, or speaking in tongues as part of the worship experience. However, just because our observances do not require physical excitement, they do consist of intense emotional and intellectual experience.
If in any way you have felt depleted in spirit, separated from intimacy in your spiritual journey, or out of touch with your spiritual nature, Passiontide and Holy Week may be the very kind of revival you need. Choosing to participate in all of the worship experiences available as this point in the church year brings you into a special awareness.
Beginning with the high, and then the low, of Palm Sunday, the swing of emotions centers our heart and our head in the passion of Jesus. The meditative, spoken, Rite One services of Monday through Wednesday in Holy Week ask of you commitment and persistence. Maundy Thursday centers you in the kind of service Jesus came to render. Selecting an hour to come in the wee hours of the night to watch with Jesus as his crucifixion nears acquaints us with loneliness and abandonment.
Walking the Way of Sorrow on the way to crucifixion puts us in touch with the true grit of faith. Each step is taken as with leaden feet. The Good Friday service begins at noon, the hour noted in Holy Scripture as that of Jesus’ crucifixion, where he is believed to remain on the cross for three hours. Faced with the violence and depravity of the world do we experience the complete and absolute finality of death.
On Saturday, the day after the crucifixion, you will be aware of physical relief. The challenge of walking from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to the Garden of Gethsemane, Pilate’s palace, and the slope up the hill to the place called “The Skull,” will have taken a physical and emotional toll. The early service on Holy Saturday confirms the absence of Jesus and leads us to a long day of waiting.
Whether you choose to attend the pinnacle of all liturgical services, The Great Vigil of Easter at 6:00 a.m., where we light the new fire outside in the dark, or you come to one of the festival services of Holy Eucharist on Easter (8:30 and 10:45), the relief, the reward, and the eternal meaning of the resurrection are experienced in full. We have the fullest, most textured, and profound of revivals available in the Christian church.
You may not have raised your hands in shouts of ecstasy, shouted your part in the dramatic reading of the Passion, or born the weight of the true cross, but you will know with certainty in body, mind, and spirit, that Christ is truly the son of God and death has been, once and for all, defeated for ever. Amen.
In Christ's Love, Mother Dawn+
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This Saturday, March 11, 2023
We are looking for more volunteers to make sandwiches and help hand out lunches. To learn more about how you can help with Sandwich Saturdays, click the button below.
Questions? Contact Joan Bledsoe.
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It's time to fill Easter eggs for our kids. Grab a bag of empty Easter eggs from the basket by the front doors to fill up with your special goodies. Then drop off the filled Easter eggs back into the basket. Please drop off the Easter Eggs by Palm Sunday, April 2nd. The Easter Egg Hunt for the kids will occur at 10 am on Easter day.
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'Get Acquainted' Mixer will be on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:30 pm in the Lounge. This event is to mix and mingle with our newcomers and seasoned members. Come and enjoy some treats and stay for a special performance. All are welcome!
Dedication sheets for Palms and Lilies are at the volunteer desk. You can write a check (indicating palms & lilies in the memo line) or pay online, selecting the flowers, greens, & lilies fund. If you pay online, make sure to submit your memorial or thanksgiving dedication to the office if you want to have it printed in the bulletin. An email with your dedication is fine if you aren't able to turn in a dedication sheet.
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The St. James Outreach Committee is beginning the annual Undies Sundays Drive. This drive collects new underwear for the Wichita Children's Home. It will begin on Saturday, March 4th and run through Sunday, April 2nd. Please help by donating new underwear in sizes infant through adult. There is a special request for diapers sizes 5 and 6. They also request no tights. There will be a basket by the red doors for donations. Thanks for your help. Mary Klocke, chair
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Service volunteers: Service schedules are linked in every eTower, right below the Readings This Week. This allows everyone to see who is serving and when, as that isn't something you can see on Connect. We have been told that occasionally people need to know the full schedule, in case they are hoping to swap dates, etc. We try to keep an updated, printed copy in the Tower Room as well. Instructions for how to request a replacement are directly below the schedule buttons.
Looking for an easy way to access Realm? If you aren’t using the Realm Connect app, you can now find a log-in button on the home page of the St. James website. Click Realm Login at the top-right of the homepage, next to the Give Now button.
St. James/St. Stephen’s Book Club meets in person at St. Stephen’s every Thursday at noon. New reading fans are always welcome. Questions, contact Mary Sloan.
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We will have an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 am on Easter Sunday.
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 looking for volunteers to assist Lauren. To volunteer, contact Chelsea.
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Parish Prayers for the Week of March 12 | |
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In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
The Church of South India (United)
In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer:
Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer:
Pray for Trinity, El Dorado
St. James Church prays for these individuals as well:
Our seminarian, Maddy Bishop
Those serving in the military:
Will Corkins, Maureen Tanner
Prayers of Thanksgiving:
For the birth of Grant Samuel Zerger, born Feb. 17, 2023 in Phoenix AZ. Parents are Sam & Aileen Zerger, brother to Brooke, and proud grandparents are Peggy and Tom Zerger.
For the health and well-being of Gary T. and Jim P.
Those who have recently died:
Chris Rogers; Joy Johnson; Fr. Bill Horn, Fr. John Kuenneth, Shirley Brookins Dewert;
And those who have died in Marches past:
Marsha Bacon, John Bell, Jack Burns, Mary Deeter, Jecca Evers, Douglas Fleming, Sally Goodland, Christine Hebert, Kay Hoffman, Steve Jordan, Jean Lehr (Showalter), Ida Miller, Larry Mitchell, Nancy Rollins, Art Woodman
Those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity:
Robin H.; Rick M.; Lisa F.; Anna, Janet, R. Chris, Jeremy, Christopher H.; Daimon E.; Dick & Judy M.; Adrienne; Gene B.; Evan and Sue L.; Terrisa C.; Liz; Marilyn T.; Jaime; Roberta P.; John O. and family; Darwin P.; Brianna P.; Peer M.; Drew H.; Kai; Ron D.; John R.; Marge R.; Phil S., Celia B.; Sylvester; Sharon & Jerry; Jan. M., Edna & James; Andy S.; Pat; Peggy S.; Gary; Deb H.; Bill and Jeri; Jayne P.; Barbara H.; Suzy R.; Helen B., Bill and Carolyn, Dave W.; Carole; Bob and Sue; Dal; Gus; Joan J.; Martha L.; Betty; Marcia & Lowell; Sage; Joseph B.; Jerry M.
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.
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Episcopal Summer Mega Camp registration is open!
Camp Wood YMCA features a variety of activities such as horseback riding, archery, climbing tower, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, water slide, mud slide, arts and crafts, and sports. The volunteer Episcopal staff provides solid Christian education, featuring worship, music, small group discussions, and prayer.
When: June 4-10, 2023
Where: Camp Wood YMCA, Elmdale, KS
Who: Students in grades 3-12 for 2022-23 school year (you must have finished third grade to attend); Camp is NOT restricted to Episcopalians or regular churchgoers. All are welcome, so feel free to invite friends and family.
Cost: $500 through April 3, 2023; $550 after April 3. There is a $35 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
Payment plans are available. If you choose, UltraCamp will automatically divide the cost of camp over the remaining months between when you register and the start of camp.
Registration: online via UltraCamp starting January 1; priority deadline is Monday, April 3
Scholarships: You can apply for scholarships on the registration form. Information about your household income will be required. Scholarships are awarded by a committee. Your parish should also be able to provide some scholarship money.
Cancellation Deadline: Two weeks prior to the start of the camp session for a 100% refund.
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Discernment Day registration open
Discernment is the church word for decision making with God. It is the art of integrating knowledge of self, prayer, community, scripture, with faith to listen for God’s voice guiding your journey. If you sense a nudge within you toward a life that wants to live more fully, this day will assist you. Whether you are considering intentional lay ministry in your parish or ordained ministry, the day in Emporia at St. Andrews will be informative and assist the next good step in your journey with God. Register online here.
When: Saturday, April 22, 9 am - 2:30 pm
- Where: St. Andrew's, 828 Commercial St., Emporia
- Cost: $20, includes lunch (scholarships available)
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Parishes invited to diocesan-wide trash pick-up day
This year, the Care of Creation Task Force of the diocese is encouraging each parish to hold a trash pick-up activity on Earth Day, April 22. Any piece of trash can travel through storm water drains and find its way to the Gulf of Mexico. The trash clashes with the wildlife living there causing tremendous damage. We'll continue to post information here! (Brought to you by the Land Use subgroup.)
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