Throughout this Season of Easter, we’ve heard Gospel readings about the different post-Resurrection ways that Jesus appeared to his first disciples and continues to appear to us: to Peter and his fellow fishermen on a beach cooking breakfast, to Thomas in a room to offer him the sign he had asked for, to the whole world as a Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. All these readings and these appearances and images are given to us to help us fully understand the meanings of Christ’s Resurrection, but they also are the stones that pave the path to Pentecost, the great celebration of the first ever gift of the Comforter, the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says that, at Pentecost, “the friends of Jesus discover they could communicate to all sorts of people they never thought they’d be speaking to” as God provided them with the gift of tongues. They could make sense of God’s message to and for the world, sharing God’s love with deeds, yes, but also with so many new words!
As I reflect on our journey to Pentecost, on the tongues of fire that came to rest on the first disciples in the upper room, on the new ways they were given to communicate the love of God to the world, and on the many images and appearances we have from this season to help us communicate that same love, I can’t help but think of all the ways that St. James shows God’s love to the Wichita community, from helping Afghan refugees furnish houses of safety in a difficult time to making Welcome Home Easter Baskets for Breakthrough ESS’s rehousing program. With these acts of love and kindness, you all give flesh to the new Resurrection words of joy we are given in this season. You are Jesus on the beach making breakfast for his friends. You become Jesus the Good Shepherd as you help shepherd refugees and those in need through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. These may be people who you never thought you’d be ‘speaking’ to in word and deed, but by God’s power you have and you do, and that is as potent a sign of God’s love as any other I know.
Friends, as we walk these final weeks of Easter and prepare our hearts for the fire of Pentecost, may we listen in the Scriptures and in ourselves for new words. May we share those words of good news to everyone we meet, and may those words become the good deeds of our lives.
Easter Blessings!
Father Dillon Green+
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The Feast of Pentecost
is celebrated at all services June, 4-5.
Can you speak a foreign language? Sign-up to participate in our "gift of tongues" reading of the Acts lesson at one or more services for the Feast of Pentecost. The lector leads in English, and our many tongues join in reading our translations aloud. Look for a notebook at the welcome desk for a language of your choice.
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Lessons appointed for
the Sixth Sunday of Easter
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Parish News and Updates
Adult Forum: Going off the Lectionary Grid. Join us at 9:45 for enlightening discussion. on the day's readings.. All are welcome!
Ted Lasso The last session of The Theology of Ted Lasso is offered Wednesday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the lounge. We will watch the final Season One episodes together. Mother Dawn leads the discussion.
Children and Youth
Get ready to camp! Our VBS theme this year is Compassion Camp. We will take a 4-day adventure growing in compassion and spreading love to the world. We will incorporate camping and turn St. James into its own campsite. This adventure is for our preschool-incoming 6th graders and it is completely free! Register at: www.myvbs.org/stjameswichita. We will need lots of volunteers and materials, be on the lookout for those announcements. Questions? Contact Chelsea at formation@stjameswichita.org
Our Nursery is open! Gracie Moore is our new Nursery Care staff for the summer. She will be in the Nursery on Sunday mornings for our services and Adult Forum until August. We are still in need of volunteers, please contact Chelsea if you are interested.
We are in need of empty Kleenex boxes (any size) for a project we are doing in Children's Sunday school. Please drop them off at the front desk. Thank you!
Paxton Blessing Box! You can drop off food at anytime, please leave items on the stairs next to the Church office Please donate non-perishable goods and hygiene products. Read more
The Creation Care Committee thanks everyone who has participated in the work of the committee this year. People have contributed plants, watered plants, and weeded the garden. People have joined zoom calls, shared their ideas, and written letters to legislators. Our efforts have paid off – our new native plants are doing well, the legislative bill that would have prevented local plastic regulation failed, and we are still working on a wide range of ideas to care for God’s creation. We will continue our work over the summer - so look for a meeting this summer (likely to be in July – and may be – in person!) Also, check Seasons and the Creation Care website for a suggested summer reading list. Check our Creation Care page for updates on legislation and other information by clicking here.
Outreach
Our Suitcase Drive for Foster Children has begun. Unfortunately, foster children move frequently— sometimes suddenly from their own home to a foster home, and sometimes from one foster home to another. These children rarely have suitcases to use, and when a social worker can give them a suitcase, the child appreciates the gift. Having a suitcase (instead of a black trash bag) for their pajamas, stuffed toy, and undies adds some kindness to the trauma of leaving home. Please bring serviceable suitcases in small and medium sizes to church during the next four weeks. We will take them to St. Francis Ministries for distribution to foster children. Thank you!
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The \Bowman's celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Click on the Invitation above to view the full invite!
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Breakthrough ESS rehouses unhoused adults at a rate of about one adult per week, so, taking our cue from the 52 weeks of the year and the Great 50 Days of Easter, the churches of the Minster will be collecting and assembling 13 baskets, for a total of 52 baskets!
Father Dillon is offering Morning Prayer by Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Morning Prayer Zoom Link.
YAW (Young Adults Wichita) is a ministry of the Wichita Minster led by Father Dillon. It includes members from St. James, St. John’s, Good Shepherd, and St. Stephen’s. We meet weekly, currently Mondays at 6 p.m. (time/dates subject to change). If you know anyone interested in participating, please connect them with Dillon at 256-762-5110 or at dillongreen7@gmail.com. If you aren’t a young adult (18-35) and want to be involved, we are always looking for people to provide meals for the group each week. Instructions are to prepare for six to 10 people. If you’re interested in helping out that way, please contact Dillon.
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100th Anniversary
Capital Campaign
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The 100th Anniversary Capital Campaign has had many donors/pledgers for which we are grateful. The campaign will run until June 1st, so there's still time for members to be part of this historic event.
Please remember that you can pledge over a three-year period. No pledge is too small. We value all contributions. All contributors will be named on a plaque at the end of the campaign. If you have any questions about the campaign, please talk to Mother Dawn, Joan Moore or Woody Swain.
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Parish Prayers for the Week of May 20 |
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For our seminarian: Maddy Bishop;
Pray for those serving in the military: Will Corkins, J. David Anderson-Lusk and Maureen Tanner.
Pray for those who have died: Ryan Reep, Larry Soice, Craig Cowdery (son of Bob and Sue), Gary Fast (husband of Taci and son-in-law of Eddie Huitt), Jan Moreland (Jarl’s mother), Mike (brother of Cathy Wuu), Jean Showalter Lehr, Alexander Carlson, Janet Yoder, Donna Stricklan, Ernest McRae, Barbara Mallonee, Sharon Basham
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Pray for those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity: for families in need, Jayne, Karen T., the Beaudoin family, Dana Foley, The Keenan family, Ron H., Peg B., Suzy R., Taci F., Sue R., Ashley M., Phil S., Isabella, Cathy W., Helen B., Marcia & Lowell, Bill & Carolyn, Dave W., Kitty, Luree, Laura S., Bob & Sue, Marge, Pam M., Dal, Gus, Joan J., Martha, Betty, Sage, Joseph, Sam & Beth, Jerry, Joy J., Judy T.
Our Parish Prayer List: All members of our parish community are asked to pray for each person on our prayer list. To share your prayers of thanksgiving (births, weddings, new jobs, anniversaries, etc.), to notify us that someone you love is serving in the military, to share that you or someone you love is suffering, or to tell us of a death, please call 316-683-5686 or email office@stjameswichita.org.
If your prayers have been answered,
we would love to rejoice with you.
Please let us know so your name may be removed
from our list of people most urgently in need. Thank you.
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A Prayer for Victims of the Andover Tornado
Gracious God, you have taught us that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your beloved people. Look with pity upon the sorrows of your people who were negatively impacted by storm or tornado in our area Friday. Strengthen us to respond to their needs, and in your mercy, nourish their souls with patience. We ask you to comfort them with the knowledge that they are held up by a community seeking to do your will, give them a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for Ukraine
God of mercy, hear our prayers for our sisters and brothers in Ukraine. We ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation, and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Lord may your kingdom come, and your will be done.
Lord God, we ask you to bless and be with all – especially children who are suffering as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates. We ask this also for or those who are anxious and fearful; for those who are bereaved, injured, or have lost their lives; for those who have lost loved ones. Gracious God, hear our prayers.
God our Creator, we ask that decision makers hear your voice: parents protecting their families as they decide whether to stay or leave; Church leaders as they support and comfort people; and we pray for wise actions from global leaders - who have the power not only to start wars, but to stop them too.
We cry out for an end to this crisis; for mercy, peace, and truth; because you are light, hope, power, and love. Amen.
For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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