Labyrinth Crusade – Become a POET!!

Labyrinth Crusade – Become a POET!! Join us in honoring the memory of Eileen C. House by joining Pals of Eileen’s Together (POET) and contributing to a memorial labyrinth.

The labyrinth will be the centerpiece of a larger “healing garden” dedicated to our loved ones. It will have beautiful landscaping and benches for rest and contemplation here on the grounds of St. James. The final location is still under consideration.

We are planning on purchasing our labyrinth from the Labyrinth Co., of Baltimore, see http://www.labyrinthcompany.com/.

The “Chelsea a la Chartres” pattern has been chosen for its simplicity and traditional pattern.

Together we can make this happen! Make your contribution payable to St. James, with Eileen House Memorial Fund in the memo line. And thanks!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Lenten Reflection - March 12, 2008

“Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?” - Mark 10:1-16

Reflection by John Huntington+

“…as was his custom, he again taught them.” To teach is to change a life forever. Jesus wanted to change their lives forever. But to test him the Pharisees chose the subject: divorce. They asked “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Referring to Deuteronomy 24:1-4 and Jeremiah 3:8, Jesus grounded in creation (Gen 1.27; 2.24) a restrictive interpretation permitting divorce but prohibiting remarriage. And he did this in a way that equalizes the rights of husband and wife. But remarriage was to be considered as adultery against the first spouse. The punishment for adultery could be death. So, to equate remarriage with adultery seems shocking to us.

Some who read this will have been divorced and remarried. Indeed, this is true of some clergy. So, how is it possible to be a faithful Christian—to wholeheartedly accept the life-changing teaching of Jesus—and yet to divorce and remarry?

In the Episcopal Church a priest must obtain his bishop’s permission in order to remarry a person who has been divorced. But remarriage is not prohibited. How would you personally justify this policy in view of this passage from Mark’s gospel? It is easy to see how a person could be accused of adultery if she or he divorced a spouse simply because another person seemed more attractive. But, isn’t it more commonly true that divorce occurs only after a marriage is long dead? After the obligations of intimacy and mutual support have long been abandoned?

Archive

Contacts and Committees

Parish Contacts:

Parish Contacts:

 

Rector

William H.C. Ticknor

Deacon                     

Robert M. McCoy

Diocesan Deacon

Carl W. Rehling

Senior Warden

Victor E. Cornellier

Junior Warden

Dana L. Green

Registrar

Lillie T. Barrett

Treasurer

Julia T. Cornellier

Parish Administrator

Janet F. Bruce

Verger

Valerie B. Hymes

Admin. Assitant

Lillie T. Barrett

Chancellor

R. Calvert Steuart

Music Director

Michael S. Ryan

Senior Choir

Michael S. Ryan

Celebration Choir

Cynthia M. Steuart

Youth Choir

Brooke E. Steuart

Organists

Patricia A. Tyndall

Robert Waddell

 

 

Parish committees are always seeking members to share in fellowship and service. Contact the chairs of the committees:

 

Buildings and Grounds

Dana L. Green

Christian Formation                     

Steven E. Dorsey

Sharon L. McGlaughlin

Communications

Claire and George A. Pickart

Finance

K. Donald Arthur

Library

Beverly A. Fahlstrom

Parish Life

-         Prayer Shawl

-         Chicken Soup

-         Fellowship (Coffee Hour)

-         Newcomers

Linda M. Stewart

–        Jeanie Zseltvay

–        Claire Pickart

–        Brooke Steuart

–        Linda Stewart

Outreach        

Shay K. Hall

Stewardship

Sarah K. Zollars

Women of St. James’ Parish

Peggy E. Horn

Worship and Music

Tyler G. Webb

 

Our Vision Statement: Who We Strive To Be

St. James' will build a lasting Christian community, grounded in faith and bound by love and the teaching of Christ. We will be a leader and innovator through our success in:

-- Enhancing the spiritual lives of our parishioners through our ministries;

-- Creating a loving and supportive community of Christian fellowship among parishioners; and

-- Positively impacting the welfare of the whole community through outreach, promoting faith through action.


Our Mission Statement: Who We Are

St. James' is an historic Episcopal parish that is expanding and changing to meet the diverse needs of its parishioners and community. In order to better respond to the will of God, we meet these needs through worship and music, Christian education and formation, pastoral care, fellowship, and outreach.

Our View on Stewardship

We the Vestry, Officers, Clergy, and Lay Leadership of St. James' Parish recognize that everything we have and all that we are is a gift from God -- a gift that we are to use in ways that further God's purpose.

Stewardship is a thankful response to God's graciousness to us and an opportunity to praise God with our lives in thanksgiving. Stewardship is our faith in action. Therefore, we commit ourselves to a discipline of regular worship and planned giving. This commitment includes returning a definite portion of our time, talents, and treasures to accomplish God's will.

We urge every member of this congregation to accept this challenge and adopt this standard.