November 26th, 2023

We'd love for you to join us!

We would be pleased if you joined us in person or online from the comfort of your home for church services via Facebook Live at 9:30am.

https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/

The end of the Church year and lectionary cycle culminates with great words of judgement from Jesus. Ordinarily we may not think of judgment as much of a good thing because often “judgment” implies some kind of poor behavior and potential consequences for that behavior. However, as we’ve heard throughout this lectionary year with Abraham and Moses, “judgment” and the Law, in the Biblical sense, give us some idea of what the Lord expects of us as part of the covenant relationship established long ago and, in turn, what we can expect from the Lord.

In this Gospel reading we have an image of that last great judgment as the Son of Man separates the people of the Earth as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and it’s important to note that the people are separated into groups, into nations, not individually. This is important because the judgment isn’t something that comes for me and you; instead, it’s something that comes for us.

This cuts two ways. One way is that we’re reminded that it’s not all on any one of us to fix all the broken parts of the world, and that can be a relief. However, the other way this cuts is that we are reminded that we will all be judged by the actions of our collective community and nation in how “the least of these” are treated. This could be a chilling prospect, especially as we look at the world around us, but the good news is that this judgment has not yet come, so there continues to be the opportunity for us to turn around and re-orient ourselves to the way Christ calls us to live to help make the kingdom of God know in this world.

Diocesan Convention Update

The 239th annual convention of the Episcopal Church in Delaware was held the weekend of November 17th and 18th at Clayton Hall in Newark, Delaware. At the convention we did the necessary work (budgets, elections, and reports) of an annual meeting, and we enjoyed hearing the wisdom shared by Dr. Catherine Meeks, as she talked to us about doing the hard work of making ourselves better in the pursuit of racial reconciliation in our church and nation and world.

Our parish was well-represent by Val Hall, Dave Perry, and Aly Hall. Bruce Vrana was our alternate delegate. Thank you to them for representing our parish, and thank you to everyone at St. James’ for your faithful work as member of the Episcopal Church in Delaware!

Racial Justice and Reconciliation Quilt Project



As part of the work of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission parishes were invited to contribute a square for a quilt that would be displayed at the annual convention this year. A number of parishes contributed to this project, and the individual squares showed the diversity of our diocese and the common hope for racial justice. Our own Fran Mayhew shared her gift of quilting and her knowledge of fabric and colors as a contribution from St. James’. Please see the included photos, and in the coming weeks we will have this portion of the diocesan displayed so that we can see her handiwork up close.

Thank you, Fran, for your contribution to this display and ministry!

Service of Lessons and Carols with St. James, Newport

As a special celebration of the 200th anniversary of our church building, we will have a Service of Lessons and Carols with our sibling parish St. James, Newport, at 3 PM on Sunday, December 10th. Join us as we sing Advent and Christmas hymns and hear the stories that prepare us for the celebration of Christmas. Afterwards, we will gather in the Parish House for a light reception hosted by the Parish Life committee. We hope to see you there!

Lighting the Advent Candle

Advent is quickly approaching, as it has been our tradition we will light the candle on the advent wreath and light an additional candle each week. We are asking if you would like to participate in lighting the advent candle and read a prayer.

If so, please call Liz in the office at 302 994 1584 or send her an email at

office@stjamesmillcreek.comcastbiz.net

Stewardship Reminder

Hopefully you all received your annual stewardship mailing by now and have had time to think and pray about your annual giving for 2024. We’ve received 27 pledges so far, and we’re hoping to have a majority of them in by November 12th so that we can begin budget preparations for the upcoming year. If you didn’t receive a card and a mailing by now, or have misplaced yours, contact the Parish Office, and we’ll get you taken care of! Thank you to everyone for continuing to help us remember that we are “rooted in abundance” at St. James’ Episcopal Church!

Thanksgiving Day - November 23rd

Our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23rdin observance of Thanksgiving Day.

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

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

Prayer Team Updates

The prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office at 302-994-1584, 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. They are compiled weekly and then these requests are lifted up in the daily prayers of the team members. 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

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.

“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.  

Colossians 3:15

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Prayer for the Feast of Christ the King



Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/