03.17.23 News and updates from St. James Church

First Things First

Adult Forum this Sunday, March 19 features Father Andy Houltberg and the Bridges out of Poverty curriculum. Join us at 9:45 in the Guild Hall.

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 at 6:00 pm.

'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!

Message of the Moment

Refugee Relief

If you haven’t heard how the recent presentation by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) went at the last Outreach Committee meeting, please let me bring you up to date.

We learned that there are a number of ways we can help refugees being resettled in Wichita. More than 1,000 refugees are expected to settle in our community in 2023. There are opportunities to contribute to IRC, or to volunteer individually, or, if we can rally the people and resources we need, we can adopt a whole family and help them start a new life in Wichita.

To welcome and adopt a family, we need a couple of leaders. Perhaps there could be co-chairs of the project. We need to have at least ten core volunteers who will look after the family – and, we need to raise at least $5,000. These are the minimum requirements we must meet so the IRC will give us their approval to adopt a family – beginning at their airport arrival and for a year’s duration.

The members of the congregation will have opportunities to volunteer on an occasional basis depending on the level of involvement a volunteer wants to have. We will also coordinate the furnishing of an apartment for this family and contributions will be very welcome.

If this is a ministry you would like to volunteer for, please email me at: motherdawn@stjameswichita.org. Tell me if you would like to be a leader, even a co-chair, if you would like to be on the core team of 10, if you would like to be a contributor of financial and/or material resources, or if you might be a less-involved volunteer. Indicating your level of interest now is important. It will determine whether we decide to proceed in this much-needed direction or not.

Once we have gathered volunteers, there will be information and orientation sessions offered by the IRC. I believe all volunteers will be subject to a background check in addition to training. Please, pray over this opportunity to change the trajectory of lives for good for an entire family. You will be the hands and feet which deliver the love of God.

God bless you always. Peace, Mother Dawn+

And, for St. Patrick’s Day:

May your neighbors respect you, troubles neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.

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 Weekend in Lent

5:30 Service Volunteer Schedule

8:30 Service Volunteer Schedule

10:45 Service Volunteer Schedule

Service Volunteers: If you are unable to serve on an assigned date, please request a replacement, rather than pressing decline. Then, other servers can respond to the replacement request - the first person to accept will be given the assignment.

Calendar

Parish News and Updates

Holy Week is coming up, which means many services with many roles to fill. If you would like to participate in the Holy Week services as a volunteer, please sign-up using this link.

When you are signing up, please do consider that we have many volunteers that may want to participate in these special services. Once people have signed up, I will enter the information into REALM so that people can view their roles and get reminders.

Old English Tea

A couple of weeks ago, it was announced that there would be no Old English Tea this year and your input was needed to decide its future. Based on the meager two responses received so far, the Tea is circling the drain and is about to go under. There are a half dozen women willing to plan for 2024, but like the annual Oyster Dinner, it takes the support of the whole parish to make it happen. What do YOU think is the future of the Old English Tea? I will be collecting your comments and ideas throughout Lent. Please email me and I will publish the results in April. Faithfully yours, Peg Bowman

Guild Hall Players presents Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov Thursday March 23 through Saturday March 25 at 8 pm and Sunday March 26 at 7 pm. This modern classic play is the story of a family at the beginning of the 20th century and is brimming with timeless comedy and drama. Seating is limited and you can contact the church for reservations. Tickets are still only $12 for adults and $10 for students and military. Directed by Phil Speary with a top notch cast of 16, you won’t want to miss this production.

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.

Creation Care

The bill to prohibit localities from banning single use plastics is back. (There was a Senate bill that did not get out of committee, but now proponents of that issue are backing House Bill 2447 to prevent cities and counties from banning such products.)

Most people know single use plastics end up in waterways and ultimately in the oceans. As well as that undesirable outcome, this bill also replaces local control with state regulation. It’s time to contact your legislators and let them know how you feel. You can look up who your legislators are and how to contact them here: http://www.kslegislature.org

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.

There are two more weeks for Stations of the Cross - March 23 and March 30. We are meeting each Thursday during Lent at 6:00 pm. Everyone will gather in the entryway near the red doors, and we will walk together to the station.

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.

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

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

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.

Prayers

Parish Prayers for the Week of March 19

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer:

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa

In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer:

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for St. Andrew’s, Emporia

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:

Larry Heeren; 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:

Roger; Robin H.; Rick M.; Lisa F.; Anna, Janet, R. Chris, Jeremy, Christopher H.; 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.

Diocesan News

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.

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)

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.)

Click here for the most current Diocesan News and Events

Helpful Links

Contribute to St. James Church

Parish Leadership