Vacation Bible School - July 7-11, 2008

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 Members Needed

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 considering having a "pre-committment" gathering to discuss the process. If you are interested let me know.

Finally, I've set up a team blog site at http://stjamesparishcpt.blogspot.com/.

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.

Parish Life Committee Members Needed For Newcomers Program

At the Vestry Retreat, held on February 16, the vestry defined the top 3 priorities for the next year. One of those was to "expand and enrich our Newcomer’s Program" to support development of on-going programs and to welcome and retain new members. People are needed to help define and formalize a framework of measurable goals and objectives, gather information, and to develop a plan to present to the Vestry. It would be especially helpful if recent newcomers would share with us why they chose St. James' and why they have stayed with us. If you feel called to help with this ministry, please contact Linda Stewart by email at lstewart54@aol.com or phone 443-203-6774.

Parish Wide Picnic! - June 1st, 2008

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 Education Committees, will be held on the west lawn of the Parish Hall, or inside if it rains. All newcomers to the Parish are especially encourage to attend as we welcome them, plus Amanda Finkenbinder and her fiancé, John Knouse. Amanda will be joining the staff as assistant rector also on June 1. In addition, we will take a few moments to recognize Deacon Bob McCoy who has helped us so greatly over the past, often difficult, year.

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 (lstewart54@aol.com) or call (443-203-6774) Linda with your questions, or just to let her know if you are attending.

For parents of kids 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 and to say thanks to our deacon.

Regional Confirmation - May 5, 2008

Regional Confirmation will be held May 5, at 4 p.m., in St. James’ Church.

The following people will be confirmed: Kenneth Donald Arthur, Sandra Kay Brigman Ashley, Casey Margaret Buffaloe, Dwayne Ray Crawford, Julie Marie Crawford, Wendy Marie Crawford, Hailey Morgan Davis, Zachary Sunderland Dowell, Brittney Lynn Foster, William Douglas Galebach, Catherine DeVote Garretson, Robert Grey Hoffman, Pierce Sanborn Hurlbutt, James “Jay” Henry Hurtt VI, Madeline “Maddie” Ray Hurtt, Margaret Connolly Johnson, Woodruff Barnes Johnson, Jr., Dawn Louise Kilheffer, Anna Dearing Milbradt, Allison Jane Parker, George Anthony Pickart, William Anthony Pickart, Tyler Wayne Poss, and Katelyn Jessica Rozenbroek.

The following individuals will be received from the Roman Catholic Church: Lucy Lee Dorr Arthur and Jeffrey William Parker.

Hike with Arundel Habitat for Humanity - May 17, 2008

Hike with Arundel Habitat for Humanity! Saturday, May 17, starting at Marley Station Mall; 7 miles. Ask family, friends, etc. to sponsor you, and then come hike with us. All monies raised will go directly to Arundel Habitat to support the Ecumenical Build on Freeman St.; Registration – 7 am to 8:30 am. $25 for each hiker over age 12. Free t-shirts (adult-sizes) will be available to all hikers at registration. Contact Sarah Moseley 410-384-9212 x124. By e-mail at sarah@arundelhabitat.org. Contact David Schultz 410-757-5505.

Help Prepare Lighthouse Shelter Bag Lunches - May 21, 2008

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.

Raymond George Kostanecki Scholarship - May 31, 2008

Raymond George Kostanecki Scholarship – 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.

Yard Sale 8 AM to 2 PM - May 3, 2008

All of your TREASURES that are sitting in the garage or the attic or basement are needed. The yard sale is NEXT Saturday from 8 am until 2 pm. Grilled chicken dinners will also be sold. Tables are available for $20. If raining, the sale will be held in the parish hall. As we get closer I will print the numbers you can call to get stuff picked up. If you want to help, we need you. Please call Shay Hall (410-956-3351) or anyone on the Outreach Committee. It will be fun and all money goes to the Lighthouse Shelter in Annapolis.

SAA Lions Club Red Cross Blood Drive - May 14, 2008

SAA Lions Club Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on May 14 from 1 – 7 pm in Christ Episcopal Church, West River, Parish Hall. Please call 410-867-2274 to schedule your Life-Saving donation.

EfM - Education for Ministry

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.

Old Athletic Shoes for Ghana

FEED A FAMILY FOR LIFE 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.

Yard at Assistant Rector’s House - May 4, 2008

Please consider donating some Time, Talent or Treasure to help us improve the yard at the Assistant Rector’s house. Our goal is to clean it up and plant some colorful spring flowers before Amanda arrives in late May. Please join us in the garden on Sunday, May 4, from 1 – 4 pm. If you want to donate money or plants, these will also be greatly appreciated. Linda Rines (Linda.Rines@comcast.net or 443-534-8791) is coordinating this project, so contact her with your suggestions and/or to volunteer to help. We are looking forward to having fun with this rewarding, short-term ministry.

Vestry Highlights - April 21, 2008

1. The work on the Assistant Rector’s home is coming along beautifully. Our thanks to everyone who has worked so hard.

2. The Buildings and Grounds Committee is working with the contractor who installed the baseboard heating around the walls of the auditorium. The job was not done well and we are trying to correct the situation.

3. The recent youth trip to Amish country was a big success.

4. Plans are being made for a picnic on Sunday, June 8.

5. The Human Resources Committee, consisting of Earl Buffaloe, JoEllen Kelly, Cal Steuart, and Brenda White, is working hard preparing Letters of Agreement for all salaried employees and other details regarding compensation and review.

6. The Rector expressed his thanks to the Library Committee that hosted the wonderful coffee hour in celebration of his 35th anniversary as Rector of St. James’ Parish.

7. A memorial labyrinth and garden in memory of Eileen C. House+ and other loved ones are in the planning stages.

8. The Vestry reviewed the Initiatives which were drawn up at the annual Vestry retreat. A presentation was made by JoEllen Kelly
showing which initiatives have been met, and how we may work on better defining our goals.

9. Annual meeting is set for Jan. 11, 2009.

10. Susanne Smith and Patti Sachs will begin to organize and maintain a list of parishioners who, through sickness, age or disability, can no longer attend church so we may keep up pastoral visits.

Bishop Elected on Historic Day - Promises Action, Reconciliation

By Val Hymes

March 29 was a gray and chilly day in Baltimore, but one that was historic for the Diocese of Maryland.

That day, the St. James’ Parish delegation to the election convention of the 14th bishop of Maryland joined an estimated 450 fellow Episcopalians in historic St. James’ Church on Lafayette Square.

They filled the pews, the choir loft and folded chairs for a Eucharist celebrated by Bishop John L. Rabb and then they voted on the first ballot. While they waited, they visited and drank gallons of coffee in the fellowship hall. They expected more ballots to select one of the remaining five nominees. But there was no second ballot.

Bishop Rabb stood and announced, “We have an election.” Clergy and lay delegates leaped to their feet, shouting, throwing their hands up in the air and applauding. The Rev. Canon Eugene T. Sutton, 54, pastoral associate at the Washington National Cathedral, had received 210 of the 370 ballots cast, needing a majority in the same ballot from both clergy and laity.

The bishop-elect responded to the news with a prayer. “May our life together be infused by the grace of truth and the spirit of reconciliation; in times of celebration may we freely rejoice, and in times of distress may we listen to and forgive one another in love, always eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

The election of the first African American elected bishop of the Diocese of Maryland was held in the first black parish established south of the Mason/Dixon line in Baltimore. The election on the first ballot for diocesan bishop was only the second time that has happened in the diocese’s 227-year-old history.

The first time was for the Rt. Rev. Thomas John Claggett, the first bishop consecrated on American soil in 1792. Two years earlier, the first American census of 1790 showed that the overwhelming majority of clergy and lay delegates to the convention of the Diocese of Maryland owned slaves. They included Claggett, who was listed as owning seven slaves while serving as rector of St. James’ Parish. The archives also show, “The Lay Delegate from the parish, Richard Harwood, Esquire, owned 35 …” Bishop-elect Sutton was born in segregated Washington, D.C. He said of Bishop Claggett, “As spiritual and gifted as he was, I think on March 29 he was rejoicing in heaven, saying, ‘Thank God, they are finally getting it. They are undoing some of the injustices that even I was a part of’ and that he is resting in peace a bit better.

“Just as the Thomas Claggett ordination was an occasion for bringing about reconciliation in the Episcopal Church in his day,” said Sutton, “I want my ordination and ministry to be characterized by Maryland leading the way toward more reconciliation in the Anglican Communion between traditionalists and progressives, black and white, rich and poor.”

The bishop-elect plans to be proactive in the often-violent community surrounding the diocesan center. “When a young person is killed on the streets of Baltimore,” he said, “these are our people living in our diocese. As bishop, I want to be there praying with the family, to be present, I want our people to know the Diocese of Maryland cares; that the church is there and God cares.”

He also plans to be an advocate for the environment. “More than being known as the first black bishop of Maryland, I’d like to be known as the ‘green bishop.’” He said he wants to initiate discussions on a statewide level about what the diocese and congregations can do to protect the Chesapeake Bay for future generations.

The youth of the diocese are vital to its health, he said. “I came to my commitment to Christ as a 17-year-old through the ministry of Young Life.” he said. “I will make myself available to young people, sharing my faith with them.”

On the issue of gays and lesbians, Sutton said, “We have to welcome all people. I’ve had a conversion. I used to believe that gay people were going to hell; that they chose to remain in sin. I’ve had to repent of that bigotry and that I used the Bible to justify my own prejudice. But the Gospel agenda is not a bigotry agenda,” he said.

Reconciliation, he said, is the key to the health of the diocese – and the church. “It begins with prayer, reconciling each individual to God, and then it spreads out into all the world. There is no situation in the church – however toxic, distrustful or destructive – that cannot be redeemed.”

Canon Sutton will be consecrated by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori June 28 in Washington National Cathedral. He succeeds Bishop Robert W. Ihloff who retired in April 2007. Bishop-in-charge John L. Rabb will resume his former position as bishop suffragan of the diocese.

Sutton’s, wife, Sonya S. Sutton, is director of music at St. Alban’s Parish in Washington. They have four children and stepchildren.