DIOCESAN CONVENTION

Please be in prayer for our clergy and lay delegates as they gather on Friday and Saturday at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City for the 2023 Annual Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri. Learn more about the business of this year's convention here: https://office.diowestmo.org/2023-annual-convention/

ACOLYTE & EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING

As we prepare to begin a new church year on the First Sunday of Advent, Father Isaac and Deacon Suzy will be leading a training session for all who are interested in or are currently serving as acolytes or eucharistic ministers. With the beginning of Advent, a few liturgical changes to our customary will appear, so this will be a helpful time to us all.

Please plan to join for one of the options below. If you cannot attend either session, contact Father Isaac to set up a time to walk through the roles.

Option 1: Sunday, November 26, during Coffee Hour

Option 2: Wednesday, November 29, at 6:30pm

OUTREACH SUNDAY

The second Sunday of each month is designated as Outreach Sunday. Loose offerings in this Sunday's collection, as well as donations marked for outreach, will go to benefit our initiatives to support those in need in our community.

NEW DIOCESAN WEBSITE

After many months of rebuilding from scratch, we have a new diocesan website! The former site (rather, three different sites linked together) were viewed as clunky and confusing by many; our new site is streamlined, organized, and is already proving to be quite helpful. There are still a few more features to roll out, like an interactive events feature, but there is plenty to enjoy. Check it out! www.diowestmo.org

St. James Hosting Formation Event

The Desert Mothers and Fathers of the 4th and 5th centuries have stories that continue to speak to us about solitude and silence, death, grace, and true freedom. Their sayings create an environment that invites our spirit to grow into God’s deepest desires for us.

• The first part of the series, Desert Mothers, will begin at St. Philip's in Joplin on Friday, December 1 at 6:30 p.m.
• The Desert Fathers presentation will start on Saturday, December 2 at 10 a.m. at St. James in Springfield
• And finally, Fr. Brad will share his own desert journey at Christ Church in Springfield on Sunday, December 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Register here: https://spirit.diowestmo.org/2023/09/the-3-part-series-a-journey-with-the-desert-mystics-returns/

SAFE CHURCH TRAINING

Safe Church, Safe Communities is mandated training for all clergy, staff, and volunteer ministers in The Episcopal Church (including elected parish leaders, children/youth volunteers, teachers, key holders, etc.). The training is primarily offered online through short training videos and quizzes, but we will be offering an in-person training on the four universal courses at St. James on Saturday, December 16 at 10am. A second session, featuring the ministry-specific courses, will be scheduled in the spring.

Register and find more information on the upcoming training, or sign-up to complete the training online, here: https://spirit.diowestmo.org/2023/10/safe-church-safe-community-training-in-southern-deanery/

See our diocesan training requirements for each category of ministry leader here: https://office.diowestmo.org/safe-church-safe-communities-training-certification-and-screening-expectations/

THANKSGIVING AT ST. JAMES

Being a Major Feast on our prayerbook's calendar, we will have a Mass on Thanksgiving Day at 10am, followed by a potluck for any who wish to join. The church will provide turkey and ham, and others are invited to bring side dishes.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Please note the dates and times of upcoming special services and events from Thanksgiving to Epiphany.

Thur., 11/23/23, 10am: Thanksgiving Day Mass & Potluck

Sun., 11/26/23, during Coffee Hour: Acolyte/LEM Training

Wed., 11/29/23, 6:30pm: Acolyte/LEM Training

Sat., 12/2/23, 10am: Desert Spirituality Presentation

Sat., 12/16/23, 10am: Deanery Safe Church Training

Wed., 12/20/23, 6:30pm: The Fluffing of the Greens

Sun., 12/24/23, after Advent IV Sunday Mass: The Greening of the Church

Sun., 12/24/23, 5pm: Christmas Eve, Early Service

Sun., 12/24/23, 10pm: Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass

Mon., 12/25/23, 10am: Christmas Day Mass

Tues., 12/26/23, 10am: Mass, St. Stephen

Wed., 12/27/23, 10am: Mass, St. John

Thurs., 12/28/23, 7pm: Blue Christmas Mass, Holy Innocents

Mon., 1/1/24, 12n: Mass, Holy Name

Sat., 1/6/24, 12n: Mass, Epiphany

Celebrations & Prayers