News from St. James' Episcopal Church
Sunday, November 1, 2020
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Thinking outside the big box
A reflection by parishioner Mary Frances Forcier
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One of the unexpected benefits of “Pandemictide” has been the opportunity need to, as the cliché says, “think outside the box.”
A few weeks ago, I had to think outside the box.
Literally outside the big box. Walmart.
I wasn’t in the Walmart parking lot by choice that morning. My husband was leaving the hospital later that day, and he needed what they used to call “convalescent supplies.”
But I couldn’t skip church. A small team of St. James’ folks pitches in on a rotating basis each Sunday to “host” the Facebook Live service. We’re “virtual ushers” who welcome you, make sure the technology works, and that folks are able to join in.
So I fired up my hotspot, logged on to Facebook, said good morning to you all, and worshipped in my driver’s seat. In the Walmart parking lot.
And I have to tell you: if you haven’t taken your computer or your phone somewhere besides the comfort of your own home to worship on Sunday morning, I highly recommend it.
That Sunday, Fr. Earl preached on the Old Testament lesson of the people of Israel and the golden calf. We’re sure, he said, that we’ve progressed to the point where such idolatry is unthinkable, but our contemporary worship of the “god of more” and our consumer-driven life has some pretty powerful and negative ramifications.
Woah. If I’d been sitting on my couch that morning, with my cup of coffee and my big-screen worship service, that message might have landed on me and generated a smug “uh-huh.” I wouldn’t have seen the irony of my sitting in comfort, isolated in my basement, “tsk-tsk-ing” about American society.
But as I listened to Fr. Earl while looking around that Walmart parking lot, my heart -- as John Wesley would say -- “felt strangely warmed.”
As they got out of their shiny Audis and battered Fords, the people around me weren’t heading into that big box on Sunday morning intending to worship at the altar of consumerism. They were there to purchase shoes for their growing kids, to pull together meals for the week, to buy a sympathy card or a birthday gift to brighten someone’s spirits, or to get medicine and supplies to speed a loved one’s healing.
Families, older people, kids: all saints. Stressed and worried, happy and grateful. From my perch behind the wheel, I could see the holy in them. And I wanted to tell them, “You are enough.”
Your love is enough. Your faith is enough. This God – and the life He brings -- is enough for all of us.
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Don't forget: Fall Back!
Set your clock back an hour on Saturday night.
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Virtual All Souls Day | Dia de los Muertos
Monday, November 2 | 7 p.m.
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Join our brothers and sisters of St. Gabriel's/San Gabriel
and Fr. Daniel Vélez Rivera
for a bilingual All Souls Day celebration, Día de los Muertos
Monday, November 2
7:00 – 8:30 p.m
It will be a bilingual virtual memorial service of readings, prayer, music and reflections of the saints departed who helped shape your life. You are welcome to worship and share a snippet of the way you were loved, influenced, taught, and formed into the person you are today.
The Episcopal Church's Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries has created a booklet that explains the history and practices of el Día de los Muertos, All Souls Day, which you can read here.
In the tradition of the Mexican celebration of el Día de los Muertos ~ All Souls Day, we suggest participants create an altar of remembrance in your home with photos of loved ones and anything that reminds you of them: a favorite beverage, food, book, instrument, photos, or jewelry. Just follow your instincts! For more ideas, Google "altares Día de los Muertos"!
The service will conclude with a traditional Rosary said in Spanish where all participants will be surrounded by the meditative repetitive words of the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary. Participants are welcome to say their own prayers.
Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 838 1370 4876
Passcode: 184930
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Virtual Coffee Hour Returns Nov. 1 |
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Join us for another Virtual Coffee Hour!
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 11:15 AM
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How often would you like us to hold Virtual Coffee Hours?
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Video Sunday School has begun! |
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Join us before church on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
for K-5, Middle School and High School!
For Grades K-5
This year, we are excited to be using a self-guided church school curriculum called StoryMakers. Our first unit is the story of Creation. Storymakers is a wonderful interactive program that invites children to respond to the stories of scripture through art, journaling, and drama. If you want to know more about what StoryMakers is all about, take a look at this video book review we've made for you.
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For Middle School and High School:
Sunday School will meet at the same time (9:30 a.m.) on our new Discord channel, which you can join through this link (they will need to have a Discord account): https://discord.gg/3kxw56p
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Join us for Worship This Sunday |
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Join us as we "go live" on Facebook
at 10 a.m.
to see our worship services.
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Grace to Go Returns | Volunteers Needed! |
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Since 2009, St. James' Grace to Go ministry has regularly prepared and provided nutritious meals to families in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for these services has grown.
Each week, community members gather to prepare meals at Deli South in Leesburg.
We need volunteers so our robust program can return to meet the needs of our community.
To ensure safety, we will be observing proper protocols:
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Masks: All participants will wear safety masks while inside Deli South and preparing meals.
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Gloves: Protective food preparation gloves will be provided for participants.
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Distancing: Safe distancing procedures will be followed during meal preparation.
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Grace to Go is also in need of 5 new captains to lead cooking operations on Sundays. Captains will coordinate and direct volunteers on the meal preparation process each Sunday.
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November Monthly Mission Partner:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
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During November and mindful of Veterans Day, we are praying for, learning about, and financially supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation which was created to honor the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001 – and to honor our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is committed to ensuring we never forget the events of 9/11 and the sacrifices that were made and continue to be made by our first responders and military in the line of duty. Tunnel to Towers aims to ensure stability and security for Fallen First Responder families, Military Gold Star families, and families of Catastrophically Injured Veterans – through mortgage-free homes for surviving spouses and children.
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In need of prayer? In need of care? |
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"In case of illness, the minister of the congregation is to be notified."
The Book of Common Prayer, p. 453
Please let us know when you are in need of prayer and care.
Whom should you call?
The Rev. Earl Mullins
Emergency Number:
410-409-9386
The Church Office
703-777-1124
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When should you call?
- When you become seriously ill, are dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or condition, or are hospitalized for treatment, surgery, or rehabilitation.
- When you are experiencing a spiritual, physical, emotional or financial crisis.
- When you become concerned for the person who usually shares the pew with you because he or she has not been in church for a while.
- When you experience one of life's many transitions: a birth, a death, a job loss/change, a move, an empty nest, retirement, etc.
- When you need prayer and care, but don't want to "bother" anyone with your troubles -- please contact us anyway; you will not be "bothering" us!
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Those requesting our prayers this week: Brianne Bailey and Family, the Lamberty Family, Alice Lynn, Mary Paul, Inez Peebles, Caroline Ennis, the Lynch Family, the Page family, John Marsh, and the Riley family, Mary Bracken, Jennifer Griffith, Tim MacNamara, for other persons: the Kevin and Margaret Sullivan Family, Heidi, Peter Schweitzer, Ann Stribling, Orma Call, Chris DeWaard, Jay Watkins, Mark and Meghan Roomsfa, Lori Turner, Charlotte, Christian Cutillo, Ruth Guerra, Miline Hughes, Erin Stanton, Barbara Rose, Nancy Hylton, Bridget Steel, Matthew Britto, Dewey, those who are unemployed or underemployed; and those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.
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St. James’ Vestry
Carolyn Briles
Katherine Bucklin
Chris Cuellar
Andy Durot
Jim Ferry
Tom Horne
Karen Knobloch
Mary Lou Leipheimer
Steve Mayo
Wayne Newell
Rebecca Page
Jane Roth, Secretary
Maddie Reece, Youth Representative
Treasurer
John Forcier
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St. James’ Clergy and Staff
Interim Rector
Dr. Steven Cooksey
Director of Music/Organist
Dr. Stephen Knobloch
Corner Chorale Music Director
Walter Litzenberger
Assistant Choir Director/Organist
Parish Administrator and Registrar
Janet Stayrook
Preschool Director
Adan Cortez
Lead Sexton
Francisco Ramos
Sexton
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