St. James' Parish

Vacation Bible School - July 7-11, 2008

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Vacation Bible School: Friendship TREK is scheduled from July 7 - 11, 2008 at St. James'. Children ages 4–11 are invited to attend our Friendship TREK program from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm--with snacks provided. Kids discover new friends and build a powerful relationship with their Forever Friend, Jesus Christ! Enroll today by contacting Sharon McGlaughlin. Sign-Up sheets will be located outside your child's Sunday school classroom.

Your prayers are appreciated for our Friendship Trek VBS. Ask God to bring children to hear about Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Staff recruitment begins soon. Ask God to provide willing helpers, eager to share His love in Jesus.

Sign-up form: http://www.stjameslothian.com/public-files/registration-form.pdf

Volunteer form: http://www.stjameslothian.com/public-files/Volunteer-signup.pdf

Email forms to Sharon McGlaughlin at slm5987@yahoo.com or drop them off at the Parish or Sunday School teachers.

Christian Formation Strategic Plan Team - May 25, 2008

2008-05-13T21:22:00.005-04:00

Update

A meeting will be held after the 11 AM service on May 25, 2008 for those interested in participating on the Christion Formation Strategic Planning Team. Location to be determined. If you are interested please contact Doug Ellmore, Sr. via phone or email. A team blog site has been setup at http://stjamesparishcpt.blogspot.com/.

Background

The Christian Formation Committee was asked in February to create a strategic plan for christian formation. In March, the Christian Formation Committee discussed issues and ideas for creating the strategic plan. In April we presented a framework to the Vestry.

We are now organizing a team of 8 to 12 members. The draft scope for the strategic planning team is as follows:
- Christian Education for "All Ages"
- Youth and Young Adult Pastoral Care
- Youth Groups
- Christian Youth Service Learning and Leadership

The tentative framework for the processes is as follows:

1. Solicit membership for the team, with an understanding of a commitment for 1-4 hours per week during peak periods from June to November.

2. Hold a formal Church Service to Commission the team and its members on June 1st.

3. Organize and hold 10 or more facilitated focus groups. With Parish membership during the summer, starting first with general topics and then later specific topics for more in depth discussions.

4. Formalize a draft outline of the strategic plan goals and objectives.

5. Gather input on the draft from a few final focus groups.

6. Finalize the plan.

7. Formally deliver the plan to the Parish. We are coming to the end of the school season, which means Parish membership will be taking vacations. Therefore, given the framework of the process, the season of activities before us, it only seemed reasonable to me for the team to have as a goal to work to deliver a high quality and completely communicated plan just before Thanksgiving 2008.

This timeline gives us time to solicit the broadest parish input, time to develop and formalize measurable goals and objectives, and time to define the required resources before the peak of the budget process.

To ensure sustained success, I've proposed that a Vestry member be appointed to continually monitor the execution over the lifespan of the plan.

While this may seem to be a lengthy process, I have also proposed that when and where there is early Parish consensus to implement ideas along the way, the team should introduce and help facilitate the implementation of such recommendations sooner than later, with an understanding that the full plan must capture the strategic view of all goals, objectives and activities within the scope of the team.

If you have a deep interest and time to help us with our mission, I pray you will consider joining our team. I am scheduling having a "pre-committment" gathering to discuss the process on May 25 after the 11 AM service.

I am confident that we will be blessed and empowered to tackle this mission. It will require some time and open-mindedness to listen to the parish membership in order to develop a plan the Parish will support and make their own. You may contact me, Doug Ellmore, Sr. by email at doug@ellmore.net.

Peace in Christ,

Doug Ellmore, Sr.

Vestry Meeting - May 19, 2008

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The Vestry will meet May 19, 2008 at 7:30 pm.

Katie McGlaughlin Fund Raiser - May 18, 2008

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A Bake Sale will be held May 18, 2008 to raise money for Katie McGlaughlin to attend E.Y.E. in San Antonio, Texas. It will be held during the Coffee Hour.

Assistant Rector’s House Walk Through - May 25, 2008

2008-05-13T21:18:00.001-04:00

With the completion of the refurbishment of the Assistant Rector’s house, the Buildings and Grounds Committee will hold a walk-through on Sunday, May 25.

The house will be open after the 8:00 a.m. service at St. Mark’s and the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services at St. James’ for the members of the Parish to see the house and all that has been done to have it ready for the arrival of our new Assistant Rector, Amanda Finkenbinder.

Amanda will be moving into the Assistant Rector’s house on May 26th and will begin her duties with St. James’ on June 1st. At the time of the walk-through, we will have a basket available so anyone who wishes to make a contribution toward a Bed, Bath, and Beyond gift certificate for Amanda, may do so. There will also be a welcome card for everyone to sign.

Blood Drive - May 14, 2008

2008-05-09T14:04:00.002-04:00

SAA Lions Club Red Cross Blood Drive will be held THIS WEDNESDAY from 1 – 7 pm in Christ Episcopal Church, West River, Parish Hall. Please call 410-867-2274 to schedule your Life-Saving donation.

Parish Sponsors Needed for Cub Scout Pack 840 And Boy Scout Troop 840

2008-05-09T14:04:00.001-04:00

St. James’ Parish sponsors Cub Scout Pack 840 and Boy Scout Troop 840. We need a member of our parish to be the Chartered Organization Representative. This person will serve as a liaison between the Scouts and our parish.

EfM: Education for Ministry

2008-05-09T14:02:00.000-04:00

EfM: Education for Ministry Classes Every Christian receives the call to Christ’s ministry at baptism, EfM (Education for Ministry) provides the basics of a theological education in order to develop knowledge and confidence about the ministry we all share.

You will find that EfM deepens your faith and your understanding of our Christian heritage, provides you with a new confidence to be Christ’s minister, teaches you how to think theologically, and provides the support of a small group of friends throughout the process. EfM is for the laity of the church. It is a distance-learning program of the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Participants commit one year at a time to meet regularly in seminars led by a trained mentor to study the Bible, church history, and twentieth century theology.

Completion of the entire EfM program takes four years, and there is a cost for each year. Continuing education credits are also available. The seminars follow an academic year and will begin in September. We hope to conduct one seminar during the day and another in the evening or on the weekend.

We are seeking those interested in this kind of serious religious study – St. James’ members or others. For more information, please contact Linda Stewart (lstewart54@aol.com or 443-203-6774) or Marjie Mack (mmack3108@comcast.net or 410-956-4351). A general information session will be scheduled soon.

Feed A Family For Life

2008-05-09T14:01:00.000-04:00

Do you have old athletic shoes just sitting in your closet? Would you like to help Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope provide training in sustainable agriculture and farming to the village of Akramaman in Ghana, West Africa? With every 600 pairs of adult “used but not abused” athletic shoes, Perpetual Prosperity Pumps, a nonprofit organization in Delaware, will provide agricultural training for one of our families in Akramaman village. This is the village where Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope has just built a pre-school and playground and broken ground for a new health clinic. Twelve thousand pairs of used shoes will train 20 families and also provide a mini-farm at our school. There is a box in the foyer between the two buildings to collect the shoes, or contact Marjie Mack at 410-956-4351 or mmack3108@comcast.net for pick up or more information.

Maryland Episcopal Cursillo Weekend #96 - November 6-9, 2008

2008-05-09T13:59:00.001-04:00

Maryland Episcopal Cursillo Weekend #96 will take place November 6-9, 2008- Nancy Horkan is the Rector. Information brochures are available in the rack opposite the parish office and information may be found at http://www.cursillo.ang-md.org/.

Family Fellowship Night - May 16, 2008

2008-05-09T13:58:00.003-04:00

The Family Fellowship Night will take place again on May 16 at Dunkirk Park including a potluck cookout. Meats will be provided. Call Laura Miller 410-798-1826 for more information or to let her know that you will be attending as they need to know to have enough food.

Women’s Monthly Breakfast - June 14, 2008

2008-05-09T13:58:00.001-04:00

The Women’s Monthly Breakfast will meet again on June 14 at 8:30. Bring something to do (or not) and join us. Any contribution to breakfast is welcome, but not necessary. Store-bought is encouraged. Contact: Linda Stewart – 443-203-6774.

Brunch for the Parish - June 15, 2008

2008-05-09T13:57:00.001-04:00

The Women of St. James’ Parish voted to host a brunch for the parish on June 15 after the 10:00 o’clock service.

Help Lighthouse Shelter - May 21, 2008

2008-05-09T13:56:00.000-04:00

The Women of St. James’ Parish are preparing bag lunches for the Lighthouse Shelter on the third Wednesday of each month. They will be doing this again May 21. Please call Pat Rehling 410-867-4709 if you can help. The Women of St. James’ Parish cover the cost of these meals. Please sign up for desserts for the Lighthouse lunches on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the Rector’s office. Pat Rehling

St. James’ Women’s Book Club - 3rd Tuesdays

2008-05-09T13:55:00.002-04:00

The St. James’ Women’s Book Club is meeting on the 3rd Tuesday in each month at 8 p.m. at Brooke Steuart’s house (301-980-3920). Everyone is invited to come to the Book Club.

Raymond George Kostanecki Scholarship Due May 31, 2008

2008-05-09T13:55:00.001-04:00

Scholarship Applications for the $2,000 Raymond George Kostanecki Scholarship Award are available in the parish office. The deadline for submission is May 31 and requires not only the application but a letter saying why the scholarship is wanted and needed for tuition, two letters of recommendation (other than relatives and clergy), a list of activities and work in and outside of school. The award was established by a $25,000 gift given by Dorothy W. Kostanecki in loving memory of her husband. For information, call the parish office at 410-867-2838.

Library Committee - May 19, 2008

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The Library Committee will meet again on May 19 at 9:30 am for a Work Day.

Crafts Table at the Spring Dinner

2008-05-09T13:54:00.001-04:00

The Crafts Table at the Spring Dinner will contain jewelry again this year. Please suggest a good price for the jewelry you donate. Contact: Joy Wiley 410-867-8504.

Parish Wide Picnic - June 1, 2008

2008-05-09T13:53:00.002-04:00

Parish Wide Picnic! Everyone in the Parish is invited to attend an end-of-the year picnic on Sunday, June 1st beginning at noon until 3 pm. This event, co-sponsored by the Parish Life & Christian Formation Committees, will be held on the west lawn of the Parish Hall, or inside if it rains. All newcomers to the Parish are especially encouraged to attend as we welcome them, plus Amanda Finkenbinder and her fiancé, John Knouse. Amanda will be joining the staff as assistant rector on June 1.

The sponsoring committees will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, chips & drinks for the occasion. We would appreciate if attending families and individuals would donate salads, side dishes and desserts. Linda Stewart, chair of the Parish Life Committee, will post a list of what is needed and a sign-up sheet. Please email Linda (lstewart54@aol.com) or call (443-203-6774) her with your questions, or just to let her know if you are attending. For parents of children attending church school that day, be advised that we will keep the younger children for their fellowship meeting between 11 and noon; while the older middle school and high school students will be asked to help with set-up. Eleven o’clock parishioners are advised to wear picnic clothes to church that day, as the croquet and potato sack races could get a little strenuous! Come out for some fun, to meet new people, to welcome our new assistant.

Spring Ingathering - May 28, 2008

2008-05-09T13:53:00.001-04:00

The Spring Ingathering of the United Thank Offering will take place on May 28 at Severn Parish, St. Stephen’s Church, Crownsville. Offerings should be submitted by May 25. Blue boxes in which to save money and envelopes for the offering are available in the rear of the church and chapel. Contact Caroline Chisum at 410-257-2208 for more information. Write out a check to St. James’ Parish for your offering, note UTO in the memo part of the check and place it in the offering plate. The blue boxes are not to be turned in.

Please help with Amanda’s Garden

2008-05-09T13:52:00.001-04:00

Our new Assistant Rector, Amanda Finkenbinder, will be moving in late May. We are making good progress working in the yard and getting commitments to donate plants. Thank YOU to so many who have signed up. Please bring your plant donations to Amanda's front porch on or before May 24. We will do most of the planting Memorial Day weekend and hope that many will arrive to help us. Two hours from many people will make the work go very quickly. Please contact Linda Rines (Linda.Rines@comcast.net, 443-534-8791) if you want to donate a plant (herb, perennial, annual, vegetable) or if you have time to do some garden preparations or move perennials before May 24. We are looking forward to having fun and surprising Amanda with this rewarding, short-term ministry.

Cursillo Ultreya - May 23, 2008

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The Ultreyas start at 7 pm with fellowship and then at 7:30 pm with the actual Ultreya. The next Ultreya will meet on May 23 in the Parish Hall.

Nurse Practitioner Visiting J2A - May 18, 2008

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Nurse Practitioner Nancy Long will be visiting the J2A Class (Senior High) next Sunday, May 18, to discuss and answer questions concerning teen sexual activity, STD’s, and the benefits of abstinence. For additional information, please contact Renée Wilson or Steve Dorsey.

Middle School Teachers Needed for 2008-2009 School Year & Beyond

2008-05-09T13:49:00.000-04:00

The Christian Formation Committee is looking for two volunteers (male or female) who are interested in teaching Sunday school next year. If you think you are interested in this rewarding experience, and would like more information, please contact Steve Dorsey at 410-867-3679.

Spring Dinner Is Rapidly Approaching

2008-05-09T13:48:00.000-04:00

May 17th, the date of our Spring Dinner is rapidly approaching. If you have been responsible for any function using the kitchen and left anything in the refrigerators, freezers, or cabinets, we ask that you remove any leftovers, condiments, etc. on or before Monday, May 12. We also need to have you reclaim any dishes you may have left in the kitchen. We appreciate your cooperation as we will be needing every square inch of space!

We have had many parishioners who have graciously volunteered their time and talents to help with the dinner. But we can always use more help! Please call Wendy Crawford at 410-741-5679 or Peggy Horn at 410-867-7499 and they will put you in touch with the appropriate person.

See you on May 17th!