Vestry
It sounds a little surprising, but the vestry decided to move their November meeting to the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. We normally meet on third Tuesdays. That would’ve been the 15th, but many members had schedule conflicts that day.
This is the time of the year when the treasurer and vestry begin preparing next year’s budget. Thank you to everyone who pledged to support our parish next year, we wouldn’t be here without you. Our treasurer, Natalie DelRegno, is collecting updated information on the costs of insurance, electricity, natural gas, elevator inspections, and dozens of other items. Very few of the line items in our annual budget are discretionary. The budget will be presented for the congregation’s approval at the annual meeting in January.
Three members of the current vestry will complete their current terms in January – Matt Kastel, Rainey Stafford & Dave Rak. They have reviewed the names of candidates nominated to serve on vestry. Starting next week they will approach these parishioners to describe the position, answer questions, and ask the candidates if they’d be willing to serve on vestry. If you’re asked, please consider it prayerfully – it’s important that our vestry accurately reflects our parish.
If you can, please take an extra angel from our angel tree this year. We’re supporting several organizations this year, there are more angels available.
Finally, thank-you to Kristin, Zachary, and Jasper for sharing their experiences from the Holy Land with us last Sunday. It made it a lot more real and they brought it to life with middle eastern foods like pita bread, hummus, baklava and imported candies. We enjoyed viewing the slides.
Thrift Shop
As the holidays are now upon us, we at St. James Thrift Shop give thanks to so many people in our community for their donations. We thank our many volunteers and our staff for all their hard work.
The shop is bursting with Christmas merchandise. Our displays are filled with many wonderful Christmas treasures. And there is plenty more to put out yet!!
Now that our new store manager, Lori, has begun to settle into her position, she now has focused some of her time to get to know a few of the local businesses. Lori’s visit to Town Hall resulted in having our front display windows hand painted by Alice, a MAMSA volunteer. She did a wonderful job, and we hope everyone will come by to enjoy our painted windows!
This Friday Nov. 19th our shop will join the MAMSA in honoring our Vets with extended store hours to 8pm. And an extra 25% off will be given to all our Vets who shop with us that day. It is a start to our new involvement in the community events for this holiday and the future.
A reminder to everyone to join us on Sat. Dec. 3rd from 11 am to 3 pm as we host the “Santa Workshop”. Please spread the word!
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER
Nursery School
The teachers and students at St James Nursery school had a busy and fun October. Field trips were taken to Gaver Farm where the children played, went on hayrides, and received pumpkins to take home. The students and staff ended October with a Halloween parade. The students dressed up in their costumes and paraded around the parking lot while the parents handed out treats to the students while they trick or treated. After, the students went back to their classrooms to continue the Halloween festivities.
November is shaping up to be a busy month at the Nursery school too. The first week of November the Lions Club provided vision screenings to students whose guardians requested they be checked. Overall a total of 105 children received free vision screenings.
November also marks the beginning of the cuddle up and read calendar. Students who read 15 minutes or more a day with their caregiver for 20 days or more days a month will receive a free book to take home. This wonderful program not only encourages family time but is also great for literacy.
We are very happy to announce that chapel will begin this month for the 3s and 4s classes. The students will be able to sit in the sanctuary where Rev. Kristin will lead chapel time. This is always a fun time for students to see the upstairs of the church, sing songs, and learn about God.
The teachers have been educating their students on fire safety and prevention. As a special treat the Mount Airy Fire dept will be visiting St James November 17 and 21 to speak with the children, show them the fire fighters equipment, and bring a fire truck for the children to tour.
This month will end with a Thanksgiving feast for the children and their teachers. They will feast on chicken nuggets, tater tots, and other tasty treats!
Sunday Worship Information
Join us on November 27th for The First Sunday of Advent. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary at 8:30 am and 10:30, or watch the 10:30 service livestream on Facebook.
A printable bulletin can be found here.
Lectionary Readings
Facebook Livestream
We plan to begin streaming to Facebook at 10:30 am. If you arrive at Facebook and you don’t see the video, please refresh your screen. There is a delay.
Announcements
Advent Wreaths & Devotionals
Advent begins this Sunday! Join us at 9:30 am downstairs to make an Advent wreath for your home. Advent devotionals for the whole family will be available at a table in the narthex. This year our two featured resources are Naming Jesus ~ A Family-Friendly Advent Devotional and The Dawn Chorus ~ An Advent Devotional on the Wonders of Birds. Pick up your copies and check out the other seasonal materials set out. If you would prefer a digital pdf version of either featured devotional, please email Rev. Kristin (rector@stjamesmtairy.org).
JUST A FEW MORE AND THEIR WISHES WILL BE FULFILLED!!
Please, please help as you can to help us fulfill all of the wishes of needy families and seniors in our community. Tis the season!!
Our Angel Tree must be emptied of tags on Sunday (today) to allow for time for you to shop and wrap. Please return your wrapped gifts to our church narthex with the identifying Angel tag attached to each gift by NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th.
Gifts will be sorted and delivered by our Outreach Committee “elves” during the following week.
Your generosity will make the season bright for so many during the holidays!
Advent Series ~ An Exploration of Benedictine Spirituality
Benedictine principles have guided individuals and communities through the centuries. Join Rev. Kristin for three Sunday sessions in Advent to explore the Way of St. Benedict, the core practices of Benedictine spirituality, and how we can inhabit this spirituality in our daily lives. We will gather on December 4, 11, & 18 at 9:30 am in seating area in the narthex.
NOVEMBER 29, 2022
LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION IN YOUR INBOX THIS MONDAY
Next Week’s Commemorations:
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2022 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you pray to on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Charles and Susan Riel
Chris and Kara Rosenker (Vivienne, Gwenyth, Penelope)
Nicholas and Rebecca Sach (Alexander, Juliana, Sophia, Colin)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
YOUTH
Happening Retreat
February 10-12, 2023
9th-12th Grade The Claggett Center
Cost: $100
Happening is a national program designed, staffed, and run by Episcopal youth! This weekend will deepen your relationship with Jesus and connections with those on similar spiritual journeys. Most of this weekend is kept a surprise for those attending so they can fully live into the moment and the community. General activities include large group talks, small group discussion, prayer through art, and games! This retreat is similar to New Beginnings for middle schoolers and Cursillo for adults. Happening is being held at Claggett Center in Adamstown, MD.
Register Here!
New Beginnings Retreat
April 21-23, 2023
6th – 12th grade
Camp Wright, Stevensville
Cost: $75
The annual retreat for middle school youth is a fantastic weekend at Camp Wright in Stevensville, MD. Previous New Beginners that have reached high school serve as the design team and staff for the weekend. These peer ministers know what it is like to be a first time camper or an eighth grader about to enter high school. This is a whole weekend dedicated to youth working through the transitions of middle school with peer minister talks, skits and small group. We even have a talent show on Saturday night! New Beginnings is place where they can find community in Christ and mentors in high school students and adult leaders.
