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Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware

September 1st, 2024

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Sunday Bulletin (Sept 1st)

The collect for this upcoming Sunday describes the Lord as “the author and giver of all good things.” This could lead us to say, “Where do all the bad things come from, then?” Following the idea from John’s Gospel, that would be from the brokenness and fallenness of the the world and what we get up to and not from God.


What we ask the Lord to do in this collect is four things: to graft the love of God’s name in our hearts; to increase true religion in us; to nourish us with all goodness; and to bring forth in us the fruit of good works. The thought of something being crafted and grown and harvested within us as we draw closer to the end of summer and ever closer to autumn is a rich agricultural image of the Lord doing something good with Creation, within us. These words help us to remember to pray for recognition of the movements and actions of the Lord in our lives.


Coupled with this week’s Gospel lesson, this collect reminds us that God moves and acts differently in each of us. As the Pharisees accuse Jesus’s disciples of eating with dirty hands, Jesus reminds them that just because they wash their own, that’s not what makes them clean. He goes on to say that it’s what comes out, not what goes in, that defiles. Our prayer is in response to this: with the love of God grafted in our hearts, all that comes out will be good and will be used for good and that something about God’s love can be made known through us.

Pot Luck Luncheon Sept. 8th


Coffee Hour begins Sept. 8th, so to kickoff the fall programs we will have a Pot Luck Luncheon on Sept. 8th. Bring a dish to share if you can, and if not come anyway. As the name implies, our luncheon will be a "Pot Luck". Dishes can be dropped off in the Parish House kitchen before church or brought in when you come over after church.


Hope to see you there!

A time for you ...

to discover something new within yourself!


Sponsored by The Episcopal Church in Delaware's Commission on Ministry, the Diocesan Day of Discernment is an opportunity for all to come together to discern their Baptismal call of service to our church whether it be a call to lay ministry or a potential call to ordained ministry. 


This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about our partnership with the Stevenson School for Ministry in raising up new leaders for our parishes.  


RSVP by October 10 to COM@delaware.church.


For more information contact the Rev. Jeffrey A. Ross

Chair of the Commission on Ministry at jross@stpeterslewes.org

  • Saturday, October 19
  • 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
  • St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
  • Followed by the Philadelphia Eleven film at 3:00 p.m.


In an act akin to civil disobedience, a group of women and their supporters organize their ordination to become Episcopal priests in 1974. The Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia welcomes them, but change is no small task. The women are harassed, threatened, and banned from stepping on church property.


In this feature-length documentary film, we meet the women who challenge the very essence of patriarchy within Christendom and succeed in building a movement that transforms an age-old institution.


Everyone is invited to the film screening at 3:00 p.m. on October 19, in the Englehard Theater at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown. There will be a panel discussion following the film, where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. The discussion will be moderated by the Rev. Louise Howlett (the fifth woman ordained in the Episcopal Church in Delaware, the first woman chaplain at St. Andrew’s School, and founding chaplain at St. Anne’s Episcopal School) and Canon Marianne Ell (the first woman ordained in the Diocese of Easton and the Canon for Strategic Mission in the Episcopal Church in Delaware).


Advance registration is required. Reserve your spot today by registering here


Small note from Carol Bruno:


Thank you!!


Last week, our Sexton, Borden Adams moved all the large rocks from the side of the church. Kathy Jackson finished the stone path next to the 3 graves. Plus the dirt was leveled in the area.


Thank you to Kathy and Borden for all their hard work, and everything they accomplished in this area. Other garden members helped, as well, but Kathy is the shining star. 


Borden also moved the smaller left over rock that we designated to be used to finish the border around Kathy K’s Garden.


Today, after I finished watering and some weeding. A woman driving on St. James Church Rd., slowed down, she said ‘the gardens and church are beautiful.”

The parish office will be closed Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day. Thank you very much for your kindness and understanding.


Have a safe and Happy Labor Day!


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

 

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.

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.  


Jeremiah 29:11


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Prayer for Love, from Daily Prayer for All Seasons


Creator and lover of our souls: Teach us to release

our burdens and accept your love.

May your love be the deepest reality of our lives,

and may we offer real love to others. Amen.

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St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

302.994.1584