ANNUAL PLEDGE DRIVE

Stewardship is both personal and communal

As we turn the corner into the fourth quarter of our church’s fiscal year, the leadership of our parish begins planning for the year ahead. Prayerfully discerning the direction of our ministries for the coming year – and prudently allocating resources for those ministries – is a collective effort of our entire community. We are called to be faithful stewards of all the gifts God has given us, and that stewardship involves planning to the best of our abilities. 

Read Fr. Isaac's full letter here.

Access the online pledge card here: www.sj.church/pledge

To model that we can collectively do more when we each contribute from the gifts we bring, our parish will celebrate the in-gathering of pledges on October 29 with a potluck.

NEWCOMERS' DINNER

Reminder: Newcomers are invited to join parish leadership for a meal on Saturday, October 14 at 5pm. If you have not yet done so, please respond to your invitation from Astry ASAP.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

ALLHALLOWTIDE AT ST. JAMES

Mark your calendars for the following commemorations during Allhallowtide:

October 31: All Hallows' Eve (Halloween)

Trunk-or-Treat: 4:30-6:30pm

Evening Prayer: 7pm

November 1: All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day)

Festal Mass: 7pm

November 2: All Souls' Day (All the Faithful Departed)

Requiem Mass: 7pm

Outreach News for October 

'Stepping Out in Love'

Shoes for Field Elementary Students

October is the month the weather cools and needs change like the leaves on the trees! As in the past, our thoughts and actions turn to children in need.

 Many students at Field Elementary need warm, practical shoes for school. "Stepping Out in Love" is an ongoing effort of St. James to provide tennis shoes and a package of socks to children who qualify for help. Each pair of shoes costs approximately $35 - $50 and each package of socks cost $10 with the discounts that Shoe Carnival gives us. All donations marked "shoes" need to be collected in October. Together, we can make a big difference to children in need.

St James has 3 choir members singing at this concert:

PRIDE IN THE PARK

St. James has an unique opportunity at the end of October to celebrate the diverse human family that God created! The organizers of Ozarks Pridefest have decided to have a Pride event on a smaller scale, by having a picnic in Phelps Grove Park – an Ozarks LGBTQIA+ History Celebration with amazing speakers, bounce houses, poetry, music, and food trucks!

Now, how can we take part in this? Easy! My plan is to get a group of us together and go! I'll have a signup in the parish hall so you can sign up and bring something for all of us to snack on. It will be wise to bring a lawn chair or blanket, unless you want to sit on the grass. If you want to spread the love of Christ, I have a great suggestion for you: find a "free hugs" or Jesus Loves You or similar t-shirt, or something that represents our church!

When: Saturday, October 28th, from 11am to 3pm

Where: Phelps Grove Park 950 E Bennett St, Springfield, MO

Peace be with you,

David Britt 

Celebrations & Prayers