The Shell Newsletter – April 8, 2020

From the Rector & Vestry

St. James’  Financial Update

 As we continue to navigate all the changes necessitated by this pandemic, we want to keep you informed as to how we are stewarding St. James’ financial resources in order to fulfill our obligations and take care of the amazing people who work at our church, the Nursery School, and the Thrift Shop.

If you usually follow the weekly financial updates in the bulletin you will know that our monthly mortgage payment on our loans is substantial.  To help with cash flow while we are unable to gather together in the church to worship, we have applied for a three month deferment of loan payments.

In addition, last week we applied for a loan under the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). The recent CARES Act authorized a forgivable loan program for small businesses and religious organizations to pay employees during the COVID-19 crisis. If approved, this loan will cover the cost of payroll, rent and utilities for an 8-week period allowing us to keep all employees at full pay for the next two months.  It will turn into an interest free grant in late 2020 if the funds are used for the specific needs outlined in the Program.

We have tightened our belt on expenses as well, though this is an area we always work to control.

Our hope in the coming weeks is that those of you who are able to will continue to give to St. James’.  Thank you to everyone who has already switched to mailing in your pledge.  If you’ve been meaning to set up your offering as a recurring bill pay with your online banking, now is the perfect time.  You can also drop an envelope in our locked mailbox in front of the church if you are out making an essential trip.  We are thankful to the Diocese of Maryland for opening up online giving for all parishes in the Diocese through mid-May.  Click here to give online. If it is your usual practice to make a special gift for Easter you can do so in any of the above ways.

We are facing a time unlike any of us have known before, and coping with the uncertainty of our future – be it tomorrow or two months from now – is difficult.   May we trust that God is with us in this unsettled time and in the promise of the resurrection we will celebrate on Easter Day.  Together we will face the days ahead.

Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+ & The St. James’ Vestry

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At Home Worship/Formation

Virtual Worship

• Join us for Zoom Easter Day worship at 9:30 am followed by Coffee Hour this Sunday, or watch the livestream on YouTube.  A printable bulletin is available here.

• Virtual Compline services on Facebook are Monday through Friday at 8:30 pm.  You do not need to have a Facebook account to “attend” – just click here to participate.  While your at our Facebook page be sure to “follow” and turn on notifications so you will be alerted when we go live or post updated information.  Compline order of service

Resources:

For a complete listing of resources visit our At Home Worship/Formation page.

• • • Compline order of service
    • The popular daily devotion Forward Day by Day is posted each day online, and it too is available as a podcast.
    • Lectionary Readings for Easter Day:  Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18

    • Next Week's Commemorations (A Great Cloud of Witnesses, 2020)

      Apr 12	Adoniram Judson, Missionary to Burma, 1850
      Apr 14	Edward Thomas Demby, 1957, and Henry Beard Delany, 1928, Bishops
      Apr 16	Damien, Priest and Leper, 1889, and Marianne, Religious, 1918, of Molokai
      Apr 17	Mary (Molly) Brant (Konwatsijayenni), Witness to the Faith among the Mohawks, 1796

 

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Outreach

Hello everyone!  Hope this finds you and yours well as spring with it’s warmer weather and Easter are finally arriving.  Hallelujah!!

As was mentioned in last week’s bulletin, the Mt. Airy NET is not accepting donations at this time, therefore, please hold onto your Lenten collections until they reopen.  Meanwhile, if you would like to make a monetary donation, the Mt. Airy NET asks that it be made through their website at MtAiryNet.org OR mail a check to Mt. Airy NET, Inc., 403 S. Main Street, Mt. Airy, MD 21771.

The Outreach Committee will not be able to meet this month, but we hope to catch up before summer at our regularly scheduled meeting on June 18th at 6:30 p.m.  If you enjoy supporting our community, please join us in the church kitchen at that time or at a future meeting on any of the following dates: Aug 20, Sep 17, Oct 15, Nov 19 or Dec 10.  Please contact our Chairperson Gabby at gabbyn.m.4272@gmail.com for any further information.

At our meetings we will be beginning our plans for the upcoming fall and winter holiday seasons.  Among other smaller projects, we will discuss plans for Thanksgiving dinner collections and deliveries for a few Mt. Airy NET families, as well as, Angel Tree preparations for Christmas gift donations for foster children and our local nursing home.

We strive to help our community and congregation in any way we can, therefore, always appreciate new members and their ideas!

Continued blessings to each of you from your Outreach Committee.  Stay safe!

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WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Parish Administrator Hours for the week of April 12, as needed from home.

Spring Clean Up  The spring clean up scheduled for April 18 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for May or June.