Rector – St. James’ Thrift Shop Celebrates 50th Anniversary
This month marks 50 years since the founding of St. James’ Thrift Shop. To celebrate, come shop on Wednesday 9/26 when everything in the store will be 50% off – and the first 50 customers will receive a $5 off coupon to be used on their next visit!
The Thrift Shop has seen many changes over the last half century, but one thing that has remained the same is its sense of mission. Founded by Ruth Webb and Gert Pusey in 1968, it was envisioned as a way to provide greater outreach services to the community. This it has continued to do, even as it has changed locations and leadership over the years.
Today our Thrift Shop serves people near and far. We are connected to Mt. Airy NET and work with them to support local people in immediate need. In additional to our regular loyal customers, we have an emerging presence on eBay thanks to coordination between two parishioners who have embraced this as their ministry, and our Manager, Sandy. Clothing we cannot sell is passed on to the Frederick Rescue Mission, and other items are shared out to more than a dozen other non-profits to reduce the amount that goes into the landfill. We also do in-kind business with other Main Street businesses, growing stronger community ties.
What the Thrift Shop always needs is volunteers! Our community is very generous and we are often overwhelmed with donations. This is a good problem to have – but it means that when our shed and sorting room are at capacity we sometimes have to stop taking donations temporarily. The more people to help sort and organize the store, the less often we have to do that – which means we’re not losing out on great donations or risking people going elsewhere. So please consider spending an hour or two at the shop whenever you can – no experience necessary and it’s a lot of fun!
As we celebrate the last 50 years, my prayer is that we can all work to make the Thrift Shop a successful outreach ministry for years to come.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Nursery School
We Welcome St. James’ Nursery School New Board Representatives
We’re excited to welcome two new people serving on the St. James’ Nursery School Board. Brittney Shutta has two children at school here and has volunteered to serve as the Parent Representative. Sam Gass teaches three-year-olds at St. James’ Nursery School and will serve as the Staff Representative. Brittney and Sam will participate in the monthly Nursery Board meetings.
Others who serve on the Nursery Board include Dave Rak, Chair; Ashley Conlon, Secrectary; Phillip Massay, Vestry Representitive; and members Sarah Brown, Yvette Allen, and Mary Hutchins-Danna.
As we begin a new school year, Pat Castle, Executive Director, and Sharon Hansen, Business Manager, are always open to questions, comments, suggestions, and new ideas. Thank you to our staff and teachers, and all those who serve our St. James’ Nursery School community.
Altar Flower Ministry
Ashley Conlon, Linda Bonifant-Travers, and Peg Pelch coordinate altar flowers for our worship services using the resources of local florists and members’ gardens. Anyone who wishes to honor a loved one or commemorate a special occasion may sign up on the calendar on the narthex bulletin board and turn in your completed form to the parish office. We ask a minimum contribution of $35.00; please write “flowers” on your check or envelope.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office Hours Week of September 23
Monday – Thursday 10-4
Care Packages for College Kids
If your child is away at college and would enjoy a care package please contact the parish office with a current address. Packages will be mailed in early October.
Basket Raffle will take place on TWO Saturdays this year!
Our 12th Annual Basket Raffle & Silent Auction will begin at our Thrift Shop during the Oktoberfest to be held in downtown Mt. Airy on September 29th, two weeks before our larger annual raffle at the Lions’ Club Fall Fest on October 13th—two great opportunities for our fundraising!
This will mean we will need a group of helpers for each event.
Event Volunteers will be needed to assist with ticket sales before and during the Basket Raffle & Auction, to assist with transporting baskets between St. James’ Church and the Thrift Shop then the Carnival Grounds the day before the raffles, setting up tents and tables, as well as, calling winners of Baskets and Silent Auction items.
An online Volunteer Sign Up form is available at :
Thank you so much to those who have already donated items as well as their time and talents!!
Our wonderful “Basket Brigade” has created 65 beautiful filled baskets to be raffled. The baskets will be on display in the sanctuary from Monday, September 24 through Friday, October 12. You may purchase advance raffle tickets following each church service.
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2018 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you to pray on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Tom and Carla Kaufman
Patrick and Jennifer Kearns (Caleb)
Jason and Molly Kilmore (Connor, Reagan)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
