First Things First

Worship this Weekend: 5:30 Saturday and 9:30

Sunday Annual Parish Meeting: 10:45 Sunday

Oyster Dinner Tickets on sale for $50 per person. The Oyster Dinner is Shrove Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Join the Outreach Committee in February to hear from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and take part in discussing how our parish can be part of our country's ministry to refugees.

Message of the Moment

We Need You

As we come to the weekend of our Annual Meeting; first, let me remind you that our worship routine gets jumbled when we have the Annual Meeting. Our only worship service on Sunday will be at 9:30 a.m. and it will include the St. James Choir. The Annual Meeting will be held following the worship service at 10:45 a.m. in the Guild Hall. As you take your seats for the meeting, please pick up your copy of the 2022 Annual Report as well as a newly published parish directory for your household. There will be a service on Saturday for those who wish to worship then. As usual, the Saturday service is at 5:30 p.m.

At the Annual meeting (which lasts about an hour), we hear reports about a variety of parish programs, review the financial reports, and elect a few people to serve in elective office. Whether individuals are elected or not, it takes as much commitment and willingness to serve from anyone who is nominated. Each one of us is deeply grateful for every person who agrees to be nominated. In addition to the handful of people elected to serve the parish in certain capacities, every member of the body is as important to the body as the other parts. Paul explains this repeatedly in the epistles.

This brings me to my next point which is exceedingly important. No matter the role you play here, you are crucial to the life of this parish. Seriously, you are an important part of the worship of God which takes place at St. James. New, life-long, young, mature, faithful or still seeking, every member of our community is significant. It might seem that our services are the responsibility of only a few individuals, but it takes much more than what a few can do. Those who pray and participate in worship have as important a role as any other person in the service. You make our experience of Holy Communion more complete.

If you give money to St. James Church (and I hope you do), your contributions pay for this primary activity of our parish. We have a staff who plans, organizes, and publishes the bulletin for the service every week. This takes place in an office where many things are done, including the purchase paper, production of copies, keeping of accounts, and more. Daily volunteers in the office do a great deal. They maintain our building and grounds, staff the front desk, answer the phone, and reverently make ready in the nave and the sanctuary for our weekend services. Every moving part of this organization is essential to the other parts. No matter the role you play, you are crucial to our common life. I hope you understand this in the deepest part of your selves. You are needed here.

Volunteers are almost always needed in nearly every capacity. Our two big annual events are on the calendar in 2023. They require effort from many people in advance as well as on the day of the actual event. Our Oyster Dinner is Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m. The annual Olde English Tea is held on the first Saturday in the month of May. We want you to take part. Please, let us know if you would like to get involved in preparation for either event. Call the office (316) 683-5686, or send a message to: office@stjameswichita.org.

Along with others, I will continue to recruit volunteers to serve at our worship services. Agreeing to serve in roles such as crucifer, acolyte, lector, and chalice bearer make our worship possible. Additional individuals serving as greeters, ushers, and members of the altar guild are always needed. Come and be part of the annual business of the parish. Whoever you are, you are welcome here.

Yours in Christ, Mother Dawn+

The Readings this Week

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 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Micah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Matthew 5:1-12

Psalm 15

5:30 Service Volunteer Schedule

8:30 Service Volunteer Schedule

10:45 Service Volunteer Schedule

Calendar

Parish News and Updates

Next Sunday, February 5, at the 10:45 service the bell choir and the St. James Choir will contribute to our music for the day.

Sunday, Feb. 5, Scout Sunday will be observed at the 10:45 service with the members of Troop and Pack 506 (now chartered by St. James Church) by their presentation of the flag during processions at church. Scouts in the congregation are invited to wear their uniforms to the 10:45 service on February 5 regardless of affiliation with Troop and Pack 506. #506 will sit together at the front of the church in uniform.

Nametags - Please wear your nametags at church every weekend. Because of the pandemic, we have gotten out of the habit of wearing our nametags. This is an important thing to do and helps visitors and newcomers alike. This is one of the ways you can participate in welcoming new people to our congregation. If you need a nametag, please let us know. We will happily make one for you

Please sign up for the upcoming Blood Drive scheduled on February 12th. If you need more information or assistance please contact Dottie Evans at dottieevans6@gmail.com or call 785-341-4532. Thank you for helping us save lives.

Parishes invited to diocesan-wide trash pick-up day: This year, the Diocesan Care of Creation Task Force 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.)

Please join the Outreach Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 4:00 pm in the lounge to hear Vicky Roper discuss the work Kansas Children’s Service League does to help families in crisis and to prevent child abuse. Vicky has been honored locally and nationally for her work to prevent child abuse. We know and enjoy her as the wife of our Deacon Jeff Roper, but she has built a very impressive career with KCSL too. Guests are always welcome.

Paxton's Blessing Box

Our pantry for Paxton's Blessing Box is getting low and the need is increasing during these cold winter months. Please consider dropping off non-perishable food and hygiene products in our box by the front door. You can also write a check to the church with the memo line: Paxton's Blessing Box. Thank you so much for your donations! If you have questions, please contact Chelsea

Our 100 Year Charity Project at St. Francis Ministries continues with periodic cleaning and restocking days. Working last Saturday were Joan Bledsoe, Vicki Evans, Dottie Evans Clark, Hew and Judy Goodpasture. We plan to complete the fifth room this month.

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.

Children and Youth

Next Sunday, February 5th is Children's Sunday School and Children's Chapel starting at 9:30 am upstairs in the Kidz Zone. We are talking about the Good Shepherd and Sacraments. All kids in preschool- 5th grade are welcome. Questions? Contact Chelsea

The youth group is needing more adult volunteers to help this spring semester. We meet 7:00 - 8:00pm on Wednesday nights. We need at least one more adult leader to help in order to offer this program. Anne has everything planned, just need another adult to keep within Safeguarding God's Children requirements. If interested contact Chelsea in the office or Anne at 816-797-6177 or aws1155@yahoo.com.

The youth group will not have a rummage sale in 2023, due to lack of volunteers. They have other ideas for fundraisers for the year - more info to come later!

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.

Prayers

Parish Prayers for the Week of January 29

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for the Church of Pakistan (United)

In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara, Tunisia

In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for Grace, Chanute

St. James Church prays for these individuals as well:

Our seminarian, Maddy Bishop

Those serving in the military:

Will Corkins, Maureen Tanner

Those who have recently died:

Joy Johnson; Fr. Bill Horn; Fr. John Kuenneth; Shirley Brookins Dewert; Janice Collins; Ron Harrison; Emily Swain Smith; Pam McCausland; Gloria Jean Davis

And those who have died in Januarys past:

Sally Bell; Katharine Burns; Eila Daily; Jenny Davis; Russell Duckworth; Paul Edwards; Jimmy Grey; George Harris; John Howell; Lorayne King; Rick Kuenneth; Bea Kumberg; Donna Littleton; Samuel Massimini; Carol McEwan; Joan McRae; Ruth Meyer; Al Miller; Matt Mitchell; Doris Moran; Ted Riley; Barbara Ritchie; Caroline Rowley; Dave Rumley; Sonny Watson

Those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity:

Evan & Sue L.; Terrisa C.; Friends & family of Taylor; Jim P.; Liz; Marilyn T.; Jaime; Roberta P.; John O. and family; Darwin P. and family; Brianna P.; Peer M.; Drew H.; Kai; Ron D.; John R.; Marge Rine & family; Janet R.; Phil S., Celia B.; Sylvester; Sharon & Jerry; Jan. M., Edna & James; 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; 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.

Diocesan News

The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas seeks to hire a Program Assistant for the Canterbury House at Kansas State University. The Campus Ministry Program Assistant facilitates the development and administration of Episcopal Campus Ministry at KSU. Their work focuses on identifying and forming student peer ministers who will grow and maintain the ministry. The Program Assistant works collaboratively with peer ministers and diocesan staff members to best serve the needs of students. This is a rewarding and life-giving position for those who desire to help college students grow in faith and love of God, through serving others and embodying the Episcopal expression of Christianity. See the full position description here. Submit resume and cover letter to Chad Senuta, Director of Young Adult Ministries to apply. csenuta@episcopal-ks.org

Link to the Position Description
https://edokformation.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/canterbury-ksu-program-assistant-pd-2022.pdf
Program Assistant page on diocesan website
https://edokformation.wordpress.com/program-assistants/

Click here for the most current Diocesan News and Events

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