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Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware
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Jesus and the disciples continue on their way to Jerusalem, but first, they have a stopover in Jericho. Scripture tells us that as Jesus, his disciples, and a large crowd are making their way to Jerusalem, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, hears that it’s Jesus of Nazareth who is coming near.
Bartimaeus then calls Jesus by a title that we haven’t heard up to this point in the story: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me,” he says. “Son of David” would have been a messianic title, so we see that the gospel has Bartimaeus proclaiming something about Jesus that we as the reader know, but over the course of the story, this hasn’t been revealed yet. We end up discovering that Jesus is a different kind of messiah than the people were expecting, but Bartimaeus’s recognition of Jesus is still an important point in the narrative as we draw closer to Jesus’s last week.
Jesus hears him call, and he says, “What do you want me to do for you?” Notice that Jesus makes no assumptions. Instead, he asks what he needs, and Bartimaeus replies, “Let me see again.” Again.
Bartimaeus wants to be able to come back from whatever has kept him away. In this story, it’s his blindness that has separated him from something, but notice that it doesn’t say that Jesus restores his sight. Instead, he simply says, “Your faith has made you well.” Being heard and noticed was enough to restore him back to the community, and after proclaiming him as “Son of David,” Bartimaeus joins the group going to Jerusalem and gets to sing the praises of Jesus again.
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Thanks from Liz
I don’t think there are enough words for me to describe how happy, lucky and blessed I am right now. That’s how you all made me feel this past Sunday during the Farewell party that you all lovingly put together for me. It was so great to see you all, to get a chance to catch up and chat. I really, truly have missed you.
Thank you so much for the lovely and generous gifts! Oh my gosh, I never expected anything like that. I still can’t believe my eyes when I look at everything I received from you on Sunday. Honestly, I was just so happy to see everyone once more. As always…the folks of St. James’ pull out all the stops; your love and warmth shines through with everything you do and everything you touch.
The time we’ve spent and the moments we’ve shared are ones that I will cherish and treasure for the rest of my life.
For those of you I didn’t get a chance to see or chat with here’s a bit of information to let you know what I’m up to these days.
I’m the new Admissions Specialist at Autism Delaware. I’m the first point of contact, which means that when someone calls looking for help, I’m the one that answers the phone and points them in the right direction. I also connect parents and guardians with other amazing people that can answer all of their questions and will connect them to other agencies that can provide the help and services they need to help their child with autism.
It’s safe to say that everything I learned at St. James’ prepared me for this new position. I’m still learning something new every single day, and thankfully the folks there have a lot of patience with me while I learn the ropes. But it makes me so happy when I’m able to help someone that is in the same situation I was in not so long ago.
I’m still writing and doing little events here and there. So keep an eye out, you might spot me somewhere selling my books and knick-knacks.
I will definitely be popping in and out at church whenever I can. So don’t worry….you will see me again! St. James’ and all of the lovely people there will always be near and dear to my heart.
Thank you again!
Much love and many blessings,
Liz Lichtenstein
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Keith St. John Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Our own Keith St. John, organist and music director at St. James', spends his weeks between Sundays working as an epidemiologist and infection prevention specialist. Many of you will remember that St. James' relied on his experience and expertise managing the parish's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, Keith was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
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Congratulations to Keith, and thank you for your hard work and the way you use your various gifts to care for all of God's people! | |
Emmanuel Dining Room Trick or Treat!
Halloween Treat Bags
St. James' is providing lunch (meatball subs, chips, fruit, cookies, and milk) to those in need at Emmanuel Dining Room on Walnut Street in Wilmington on Thursday, October 31st--Halloween day. As a special treat, we traditionally offer Halloween treat bags and peanut butter crackers as "takeaways".
What You Can Do
Donate a bag or two or snack sized candies (any candies will be welcome) or a box or two of packets of peanut butter crackers.
Where You Can Leave Them
The bag(s) can be left in the parish hall kitchen or dropped in the Blue box outside the parish hall (Mon-Thurs. 9-1 p.m.) or the green box in the foyer of the church and label them EDR.
When We Need Them
Please bring your candies by Sunday, October 27th.
Questions:
If you have any questions about this, please call/text Pat Minor (302-983-6299) or Cindy Fauerbach (302-584-8053).
Thank you!
The Great 🎃
Cindy Fauerbach
302-584-8053 cell
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2024 Annual Bazaar
Friday, November 1st & Saturday, November 2nd
The Bazaar Ladies have worked all year to create items for our Bazaar.
There are still some tasks to be done that the Ladies are unable to do.
Your help is needed to complete those tasks.
Please Plan to Help on the Following Dates
Sunday, October 27th
After the 9:30 Service
Items in the Bazaar Workshop need to be brought upstairs to the Dining Hall.
Bazaar Bake Shop
We will have Homemade Items again this year.
Please bring your baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, candies, etc. to the
Parish House at the following times.
Thursday, October 31st 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday, November 1st 8:00 am – 2:30 pm
Saturday, November 2nd 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Don’t Forget to Sign-Up to Help During the Bazaar
Sign-Up Sheets will be Posted in the Parish House
by Sunday, October 6th
Please stop by and see how you can contribute to the
success of this year’s Bazaar.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Shirley Alexander (302-738-5331)
or
Nancy Patterson (302-239-7649)
Any amount of time you are available to help will be appreciated.
THANK YOU!
The St. James’ Bazaar Ladies
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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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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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Annual See's Candies Fundraiser
Support Your National Cathedral!
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Sunday Breakfast Mission Turkey Donations Needed!
Every year 1,000’s of needy families in northern New Castle County reach out to the Sunday Breakfast Mission for a turkey for their Thanksgiving meal. This year, they are expecting a record number of requests.
How to help: Donate a frozen turkey or two (consider using your ZINGO feathers or ACME “free turkey”)
Where to bring it: call the Sunday Breakfast Mission 302-656-8542 and let them know you’d like to drop off a turkey OR bring it to the parish house (Mon-Thurs 9-1 or Sunday after church) and we’ll put it in the freezer and have it delivered
Deadline for deliveries: Friday, November 15th
If you’d like a tax receipt, please let the office know and we’ll be sure to get you one from the Sunday Breakfast Mission.
Questions, please call Cindy Fauerbach 302-584-8053 or parish office 302-994-1584
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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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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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