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Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware
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There are many things that we can be guilty of without thinking too much about them. These could be considered “pin prick” sins in that they don’t seem like a big deal, but over time and added up, they can be quite consequential. One of these is some form of “gate keeping,” which is a way of saying we know better about who can and can’t be part of a group or a movement, and we make sure that we let others know if they’re allowed or not, or what they have to say or do to belong.
As Jesus draws closer to Jerusalem, his disciples are doing something of the same thing. Whether it’s because they’re afraid or they don’t want any more attention drawn to them is hard to say. However, when John sees someone who wasn’t a part of their group casting out demons, he tried to stop him because he wasn’t a part of their group. Jesus said to him, “No way! Even if he isn’t part of our group, but he’s doing it in my name and he’s doing good things, that’s okay!”
We can hear John’s words and assumptions and think that they are silly, especially since the man doing the casting out wasn’t hurting anyone. However, the temptation to be skeptical of someone else’s motives is often strong, so maybe we can relate to John’s concerns. The opportunity for us, though, is to begin to wonder how others are making the kingdom of Heaven feel a little bit closer to our own and how we can celebrate that with them. In celebrating that, and seeing others at work, it can help open us up, too, to see where the Spirit of God is moving within us and amongst us and what God may be calling us to next.
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Bishop’s Visit and Reception "Thank You"
Thank you to everyone for your help and presence at Bishop Brown's annual visitation with us this past Sunday. The warmth and hospitality of our parish was on full display!
Thank you to the Parish Life committee for hosting a lovely reception and to the choir for their musical offerings. We all enjoyed cake with the Bishop as we celebrated our September birthdays.
Thanks again to all of you for being a part of this special service!
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Special Thank You from Kathy Jackson
Thanks again for supporting me in the Epilepsy 5K walk! Here are some pictures of me at the walk on June 1, 2024. With your help, I raised $14,025 in my 32nd year of participation in the walk. It was at Glasgow Park again and there was a great turn out of participants. I’ll be seeing you all next year!
Thank you, Kathy Jackson
Click here for a gallery of photos from the 5K walk.
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All Saints Day Memorial Frontal
Each year as we draw closer to the feast of All Saints' Day, you are invited to call or email the office with names of loved ones that you would like to add to our All Saints' memorial frontal. This year All Saints' Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, November 3, so please let us know who you would like to add as soon as possible.
You may call the Parish Office at 302-994-1584 or email us at (office@stjamesmillcreek.comcastbiz.net) with the pertinent information.
Thank you for your participation in this ongoing tradition and practice of our parish.
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This Week's Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar of the church for the week of September 22, 2024, were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of John W. Jackson, III by his wife and daughter.
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2024 St. James’ Annual Bazaar
We hope you plan to attend this year’s Bazaar
Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd
In the Great Hall in the Parish House
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Both Days
There Will Be
Door Prizes, Gifts, Baked Goods,
Bagged Lunches, and Drinks Available
The ladies are in the final stages of finishing projects for this year’s Bazaar. Before we know it, it will be our annual Dipping Day. That’s the day we gather in the kitchen to make all the chocolate dipped items that are popular with our shoppers.
We will also have homemade goodies in our Bake Shop You will be able to purchase many of your favorite items made by our parishioners and friends.
We have received some nice items for the Raffle Tables. There is still room for additional prizes. We will accept donations for the Raffle Tables until
October 31st.
Our painters have been busy painting Christmas ornaments and other gift items. There are several new creations from our very creative group.
The Bazaar Ladies continue to come up with new creations each year.
Please Plan to Sign Up to Help
Sign-Up sheets for Helpers will be posted in the Parish House starting
October 6th.
See you at the Bazaar,
The St. James’ Bazaar Ladies
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e-Epistle Deadline
Announcements for the upcoming e-Epistle should be received in the office by the Thursday of the previous week. Items may be emailed to the office.
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St. James' Mission and Outreach updates
Sharing God’s gifts with others
Reaching out to those in need
And serving them with dignity and respect…
New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.
What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running. Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance.
If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.
How can you help?
Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.
Current items needed:
- Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
- Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
- Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
- Tide pods or other laundry pods
- NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
- New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
- New books for adults and children
Please drop the items off:
· Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch
Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.
· On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.
We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.
Thank you,
St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry
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Prayer Team Updates
Sunday Prayers of the People. If you would like someone to be lifted in prayer at our Sunday service, please call the church office at 302-994-1584. The person's name will remain on the list for three weeks. If at that time you would like the person's name to remain on the list, please call the office again.
The parish prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office, to individual members of the prayer team, or requests left in the prayer basket in the church foyer. We collect the prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world. All are welcome and encouraged to share their prayers.
For those who have an immediate prayer need, we invite you to email your prayer needs and request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675.
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St. James' Pastoral Care Team
St. James' Pastoral Care Team continues to support our parish family and our community.
If you or someone you know is in need, we:
· send cards, make phone calls, and pray with you and/or for you.
· Make home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits.
Please call the office (302-994-1584) and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Messages are retrieved daily, seven days a week.
Please let us know if you need us or someone you know needs us. We will not know if you do not tell us.
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“Blessful” Meditations
We all know that life can be a little stressful and hectic sometimes. We hope that by reading this short bible passage and watching a relaxing video will help you take a moment and reflect on God’s gifts.
Isaiah 43:19
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
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A Prayer from St. Richard of Gloucester
THANKS be to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the cruel pains and insults
Thou hast borne for me;
For all the many blessings
Thou hast won for me.
O Holy Jesus, most merciful redeemer,
Friend and brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever. Amen.
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For Access to the News of the Diocesan Publications
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St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
302.994.1584
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