Salvation Army Sing Along, December 9 at 6pm

Everyone is invited to the Sing Along! Starting at 6 p.m., there will be light refreshments followed by a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. The Sing Along will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Church. We will conclude by 9:00 p.m. after a wonderful evening of music and fellowship during which the toys will be presented to the Salvation Army in support of their efforts to bring Christmas toys to needy area children. For information, contact Sharon McGlaughlin - slm5987@yahoo.com.

Leadership Exploration Workshops, December 6 at 1 p.m. and December 7 at 7 p.m.

In preparation for our Annual Meeting, which will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2010, we will be holding leadership exploration workshops on Sunday, December 6 at 1:00 and on Monday, December 7, at 7 p.m. You can attend either one or the other. Anyone who wishes to explore a possible calling to serve either now or in the future as a Vestry Member, Committee Chair, Convention Delegate, or Officer of the Vestry is invited to come to one of the workshops. We are asking you to RSVP so that we may have materials and refreshments for you. You may speak to the rector or to one of the members of the Vestry who are rotating off (Donald J. Collins, JoEllen L. Kelly, and Linda L. Rines) for information or to RSVP.

Advent Program, December 2, 6-9pm

Please mark your calendars for St. James’ Parish Christian Formation Committee's first Advent Program on Wednesday, December 2 in the Parish Hall. Homemade Soup Supper will be 6-7 p.m. with separate adult and children's programs from 7-9 p.m. The Children’s program will take place in the Christian education building for children ages 3 yrs-5th grade. The children will be making an Advent craft as well as hearing the advent story!

The adult program will be a Biblical Musical Drama called “Ariella’s Journey to Bethlehem” and will be led by Christian singer and songwriter, Sam Kauffman. Ariella, the crippled daughter of Balthazar, one of the three kings, is called to Bethlehem to worship Jesus, the new king. As Ariella struggles with how to get to Bethlehem and what gift to bring, she experiences the miracle of Christmas. You can learn more about this Program in the November Shell Newsletter or by visiting Sam's website: www.samkservantsheart.com. In order to ensure we have enough soup for everyone, please RSVP to the parish office (410-867-2838) by November 30.

"Under Our Skin," November 23 at 7 p.m.

"Under Our Skin," is a professionally produced full length documentary which deals with the epidemic "Lyme disease." We will view this film in our parish hall on Monday, November 23rd, beginning at 7 p.m. It is open to the public and there is no charge. All are welcome.

St. James' Parish Holiday Food Baskets

As the Holiday Season approaches, please make a donation of cash or a frozen turkey for St. James' Parish's Holiday Food Baskets. If you plan to donate a turkey, please sign up on the sheet in the Parish Hall and place your turkey in the kitchen freezer before November 20 and December 18. The Outreach Committee will coordinate distribution of the 65 Holiday meals on Saturday, November 21, and again on Saturday, December 19. Please contact Linda Rines (Linda.Rines@comcast.net) if you can help between 7a.m. and noon on either Saturday. Thanks for supporting St. James' help of needy families in our local community.

Thanksgiving Day Eucharist, November 26

The Thanksgiving Day Eucharist will take place in St. James' Church on November 26th, at 10 a.m.

The offering received from the Thanksgiving Day envelopes will be presented to the Salvation Army at the Carol Sing on December 9th to be used to purchase toys and gifts for needy children.

Please join us on Thanksgiving morning!

Christmas Pageant Sign-up and Practices

Attention all parents and children!!! The Christmas Pageant is right around the corner and we need your help. If you are interested in helping with this year’s pageant or participating in the pageant please sign up outside of Amanda’s office. Practices are being held immediately following Sunday School until 11:30 in the choir room!

Salvation Army Stockings

Salvation Army Stockings are now available! They will be handed out at all three services on November 1st. Additional stockings can be picked up from the box between the Church offices or the box located in the Church School.

A list of suggested items for stuffing the stockings will be available. Ideas include: small toys, hygiene items, or school supplies. Please do not wrap the items (they will have to be unwrapped). And don’t forget to label your stocking so we know for whom it is intended (boy, age 6-8 years; girl, age 10-12 years, etc).

Stockings must be returned to the church no later than Sunday Dec 6th. For information, contact Nola Meyers - noreme@verizon.net. Thanks for supporting this important program!

Christmas Boxes for Seafarers

Many seafarers are at sea for many months and not able to be home with family for the holidays. The Women of St. James’ Parish are asking for your help to provide Christmas Boxes which will be distributed by the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center to the many men who find themselves in this situation for the holidays. We are planning to fill at least 25 boxes, and would be overjoyed to fill many more! This would be a very meaningful family holiday project.

Here is what you need:

• A medium size shoebox – (Ladies size 8 maybe?)
  
• Toiletries that are sealed – Almost all of the seafarers are men.
  
• A new warm scarf or hat
  
• Some of the following: pens & pads, warm socks or gloves, playing cards, postcards of Baltimore.
  
• Each box also must have a paperback Bible which will be provided by the Women of St. James’ Parish and a greeting with our parish’s name and address on it.

Here is what you do:
Put your items in the box and bring it to the parish office to get the Bible and the greeting. Then, wrap the box as a Christmas gift, and bring it to St. James’ by December 13 where it will be kept in a secure place until we deliver them to the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center.

Please help to make the holidays for the seafarers a bit brighter and warmer with your gift. If you have questions, please contact Peggy Horn at plantlady04@hughes.net.

Atrium Fellowship - Halloween Party, October 30 6-8pm

Atrium Fellowship! All Atrium Classes are invited to the St. James’ Halloween Party from 6-8 pm. Wear your favorite costume and get ready for thrills, chills, and fun! Sign up outside of Amanda’s office if you dare!!!!

Youth Group Lock-In, October 30-31

Our first youth group lock-in of the year. 6th-12th graders will be meeting at the church at 4:00pm Friday to set up for the Halloween party and lock-in. The lock-in will end at 9:00am Saturday. Sign up outside of Amanda’s office!

Horizons Gathering at St. James', October 29 at 6pm

The Horizons Gathering: Nearly 150 people representing churches, clergy and institutions accepted Bishops Sutton's invitation to be part of the newly formed "Horizons Gathering." Their first meeting took place on October 3 at the Bishop Claggett Center. The next step is five regional meetings that are open to all. Join members of the Horizons Gathering and facilitators from the Mission Strategy Group as we discuss the future of the Diocese of Maryland. One of these regional meetings is at St. James’ on Thursday, October 29, at 6 pm. Come see for yourself and give your input! Visit the Horizons Page on the Diocesan website (www.ang-md.org) to learn more about this exciting time.

Bowling for Jesus!!!, November 1

On Sunday November 1, 2009 we are going to have our monthly Atrium Fellowship for Atrium 1, 2 and 3 (Pre-K to 5th grade). The children will be leaving St. James Parish at 11:15 in order to arrive at Lord Calvert Bowling Alley (Calvert County) by 11:45. The children will be fitted with shoes and can begin bowling at 12:00. Pizza and drinks will be provided for the children and chaperones. We anticipate being back at St. James by 2:30 – 2:45.

Since we have to pay in advance to reserve lanes, we need to have an accurate count of who is attending before the event. In order to participate, we are requesting that you fill out this form and return it to your child’s teacher on or before Sunday October 25, 2009.

Halloweeen Party, October 30 6-8pm

Halloween is just around the corner! This year the youth group will be hosting a Halloween party for the children of the parish on Oct. 30th from 6-8pm, but we need your help! We are looking for these materials: straw bales, jeans (all sizes), shirts, pantyhose, and gloves. If you can donate any of these materials or would like to help in any way we would greatly appreciate it. Please email Amanda at Amanda@stjameslothian.com. THANK YOU!

Newcomers’ Brunch, October 25

“….extend hospitality to strangers ….” Romans 12:13. On October 25, following the 9 o’clock service, there will be a special brunch to provide everyone an opportunity to meet and greet our newcomers. This is a ministry that all parishioners can participate in – a ministry to make newcomers to St. James’ Parish feel welcome. It would be wonderful if all parishioners, from every worship service, would plan on attending this special event. Donations of food items (breakfast casseroles, etc.) would be appreciated. If you would like to volunteer a dish, please email Susan Dowling at dowlingsa1@comcast.net. As a congregation, St. James’ strives to welcome newcomers. We offer a caring environment that inspires individuals on their journeys of faith. First and foremost, we all need to work together to make our newcomers feel welcome. Please mark your calendars now to attend this important event!