THE RECTOR’S MESSAGE January 2019 Volume 19 Number 1 Dear Saints of James, Sunday Schedule 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite I I share this Christmastide blog post by Jim Meisner, 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II 11:15 AM Coffee & Fellowship Jr, from Faith on the Fringe. 11:30 AM Sunday School (ages 3 through grade 12) 5:30 PM South Sudanese The house with the most Christmas lights in my Worship neighborhood had the decorations down by Dec. 30. It perfectly represented Christmas in popular culture.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25, is the day Christianity shakes free of the cultural Christmas and begins the
Christian season of Christmastide. The popular 12 Days of Christmas aren’t the days before Christmas, they are the days after. They are a
daily reminder of the presence of God. They begin 100 th Diocesan Annual Convention Christmas Day and end with Twelfth Night, the January 25-27, 2019 Hotel Roanoke evening of Jan. 5. The next day is Epiphany, when Christian tradition celebrates the arrival of the Magi, 100 th Anniversary Revival the wise men. Epiphany also marks the baptism of January 27, 2019 Berglund Performing Arts Center Jesus and the beginning of his earthly ministry. 9:00 AM Doors Open Christmastide dates back to before the Middle Ages. 10:00 AM Worship Service In some ways, Christmastide is a complementing balance to the Lenten season in the spring. During Lent we reflect on ourselves in God and during
Christmastide we reflect on God in the world. The Christmas season is more than what most people
think it is. Just as God is more than what most Christians think God is. God is the baby born on Christmas and every baby ever born, everywhere.
God is in the church on Sunday and walking with St. James Episcopal Church refugees on Monday. 4515 Delray Street Roanoke, VA 24012 God is the life-giving energy of the Sun and the Phone: 540-366-4157 moon rising to reflect the Sun and illuminate the Fax: 540-366-2851 darkness with a power that controls the tides of the E-mail: [email protected] www.stjamesroanoke.org Earth. (Continues on page 2 . . . .)
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St. James Episcopal Church Rector’s Message Continues . . .
Clergy: The Rev. Susan E. Bentley, Rector God is the night sky, filled with millions The Rev. William R. Eanes, Retired Deacon of stars orbited by thousands of planets, The Rev. Dr. Robert T. Copenhaver, and more wonderful than all the Adjunct Pastoral Associate Christmas lights on Earth. The stardust of creation — the DNA of the Creator — Staff: Mrs. Connie Bierly, Secretary courses through each of us, from the Mr. Andrew Cochran, Choir Director & Organist Christ child in the nativity manger to the Mrs. Donna Parks & Mr. Marshall Hudson, Sextons child abused by the government. God is in all of creation and all of The Connection: Send copy to: [email protected] humanity. Every day, in every one. This All Saints of James, Reporters is the message of Christmastide.
Internet Web Page: I hope that this Christmastide, you www.stjamesroanoke.org Laura Anderson, Web Master have felt God’s presence in unexpected [email protected] places and ways, and that the Light of the celestial star that guided the Wise The St. James Vestry: Senior Warden, Linda Bryant, 776-6886 Men to find the baby Jesus, the Son of Junior Warden, Tim Buchholtz, 520-2947 God, will continue to bring light into the † Clerk, Carol Eanes, 819-7628 †Treasurer, Kevin Shepherd, 556-3011 dark places of your life and the world. †Ass’t. Treasurer, Avis Aheron, 580-9203 † Rec. Treasurer, Danny Fainter, 977-4408 Christmas Blessings, Maile Armstrong, 354-6016 Ann Bird, 366-0996 SEB+ Arby Frost, 989-3054 Gail Fields, 556-0086 Katie Rucker, 362-2205 Cam Srpan, 562-0954 Doug Tuggle, 776-2405 († - Not Vestry members ) ST. JAMES CYCLE OF PRAYER
Standing Committees & Chairs In January, we give thanks for the work of the Vestry. We pray that all Vestry members, Finance: Doug Tuggle, 776-2405; 394-1425 Property: Tim Buchholtz, 520-2947 wardens, and other vestry officers will be Hospitality: Kim Laxton, 632-9148 guided by God’s grace in their deliberations Stewardship: Chris Criscione, 915-2657 and decisions throughout the coming year.
* * * * * * * * * * Episcopal Church Women: Doris Mattox 992-3088 Daughters of the King: Pat Ball 725-8730 St. James Connection January 2019 3
VESTRY CORNER . . . NEWS FROM BOYS HOME OF VA. . . By Linda Bryant Congratulations to the new Vestry members elected for 2019: When reflecting on the year, these are some of Linda Bryant the many miracles that happened at Boys Arby Frost Home: Cam Srpan One of our middle school student’s art entry The Vestry Officers for 2019 are: being selected as Best in Show at the Senior Warden, Linda Bryant middle school regionals in Charlottesville, Junior Warden, Tim Buchholtz VA. Treasurer, Kevin Shepherd One of our seniors (Class of 2019) being Assistant Treasurer, Avis Aheron accepted to three colleges—and he is Receiving Treasurer, Danny Fainter eagerly waiting to hear from the fourth. Clerk, Carol Eanes Two middle school students performing so exceptionally well in the Accelerated Reader A special thank you to those who served on the program that they were each awarded brand new mountain bikes for their hard 2018 Vestry: work! Maile Armstrong One of our 2018 graduates partnering with a Ann Bird local medical facility so he could be trained Betsy Briggs as a certified nursing assistant. He is now Tim Buchholtz employed by the medical facility and is Danny Fainter preparing for CAN certification. Gail Fields Dorothy Herndon I thank all of the Saints of James that have Katie Rucker donated this past year. Doug Tuggle
Especially to Betsy, Danny, and Dorothy who STEWARDSHIP CORNER. . . have faithfully served their 3-year term. By Doug Tuggle
More Time, More Talent, and More Treasure YOUTH NEWS. . . You have more time, more talent, and Youth @ Convention: plans are underway for more treasure than you think you do. And I the youth during the annual Diocesan hope you will share some of each with Convention, January 26-28, 2019. This is a St. James. special weekend as we celebrate the 100th Because “work expands to fill available anniversary of our diocese and welcome our time” (Parkinson’s Law), you can spend all day Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, to our reading the paper, mowing the lawn, or diocese. He will be spending time with our shopping for your roast chicken dinner. youth at St. John’s on Saturday afternoon. Whatever your task, just get it done (will your Registration is on line: family really notice if your potatoes are not as https://dioswva.org/governance/annual- large as they usually are, your green beans as Convention.html and is $100 . Scholarships are snappy as they usually are?), and use the available; see the Rector. extra time for something productive. You used to sing as a kid, but you no longer do so. Why? You’re afraid you’ll sound St. James Connection January 2019 4
silly. There’s a famous story about an art TREASURERS’ CORNER . . . professor on his way to college one day when By Kevin Shepherd he was stopped by his young daughter who asked what he was about to do. He explained Financial Statement that he was about to teach people how to draw, Year to Date as of November 30, 2018: and his daughter, astonished, said, “you mean they forget?” Jesus (Matthew 18:3) asks us to Operating Income: $188,498.03 “…become as little children...” Talk with a Operating Expenses: $168,047.21 friend, and learn what talents you have that Net Operating Income: $20,450.82 have gotten rusty over the years, and take them up again. You’re old enough to enjoy those pleasures you once exercised as a child. 2019 ADOPT-A-DAY GIFTS . . . As a member of the choir, I note that we have (Gifts in bold were received after printing our last month’s issue) lost many voices due to illness and relocation. We don’t expect perfection; we can weave your February 24 adopted by Frances Stebbins in memory of her son, voice into the tapestry that makes a pleasing C. Harvey Stebbins, Jr. noise. March 30 adopted by Frances Stebbins Finally, behavioral economists tell us in memory of her husband, Charles H. that most people are quite fearful of losing their Stebbins, Sr. possessions. Since the financial ones are the easiest to count, typically they are at the top of the list. We all hoard money (and food, and ANNOUNCEMENTS . . . “stuff”) for the disaster that never comes. Even when banks fail, the government bails them out. Even when your house burns down, your Baptismal Dates for 2019 friends and neighbors and compatriots at St. James help you get back on your feet. So, if “Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at you regularly contribute $5 a week, try tossing the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on in another dollar bill each week for a while, and All Saint’s Day or the Sunday after All Saint’s see if calamity strikes you. When it doesn’t, Day, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, (the you will learn that you can in fact contribute first Sunday after Epiphany), and the visitation more comfortably. Similarly, if you contribute of the Bishop. It is recommended that, as far $100 a week (and lots of folks at St. James as possible, baptisms be reserved for these do), try tossing in another five-dollar bill and occasions or when a bishop is present.” The draw the same lesson. Besides, the economy Book of Common Prayer, page 312. is growing, unemployment is down, and wages The Baptismal dates for St. James in 2019 are moving up. Kick a little of that good fortune are: The Baptism of our Lord, January 13; the St. James’ way, and see if you notice any Visitation of The Bishop, March 24; the Easter difference in your lifestyle. Vigil, April 20; the Day of Pentecost, June 9; So, what are you going to do with that and All Saints Sunday, November 3. If you extra time, those underused talents, and that would like to be Baptized or have a child you surplus treasure? would like to be Baptized, contact the Rector. Doug Tuggle
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Bishop’s Visitation: https://alliance.wufoo.com/forms/z18wh0d70k1 Confirmation, Reception and Baptism f7e2/ . Specific information for the weekend schedule is found on the diocesan website, Bishop Bourlakas is scheduled to come (https://www.dioswva.org/governance/annual- to St. James for his regular visitation on the Convention.html ). third Sunday of Lent, March 24th. Mark your Sunday morning, January 27th, Bishop calendar now so that we can welcome our Curry will lead a Revival for our Diocese of Bishop with our signature hospitality, during the Southwestern Virginia and guests. A large part service as well as for a gourmet luncheon. If of the Revival’s success will depend upon us you are an adult who wishes to be Confirmed praying and inviting. Bishop Mark is asking us or Received into the Episcopal Church, contact to pray about who you might ask to come to the Rector as soon as possible so we can set the Revival - family members, friends, up the Inquires Class. Any youth who are neighbors, co-workers, community members. interested in exploring Confirmation need to let St. James will have the 8:00 am service, but the Rector know so they can begin working no 10:00 am service that morning. with their Confirmation mentors. The Bishop’s visitation is also an occasion for Baptism, so if 100th Anniversary Revival: Practicing the you or one of your children are interested in Way of Love being Baptized, please let the Rector know. January 27th, 2019 The 100 th Diocesan Annual Convention Berglund Performing Arts Center Roanoke, Virginia The 100 h Annual Diocesan Convention will General Admission-no tickets be held January 25 to 27, 2019 at the Hotel 9:00 am Doors Open Roanoke Conference Center. The St. James 10:00 am Service Delegates to Convention this year are: Tim Buchholtz, Danny Fainter, & the Rev. Susan Please include this DSWV Revival prayer in Bentley, alternates Doug Tuggle and Beth your personal daily prayers: Wiegandt. All members of St. James are invited to attend Council as a visitor; the theme Gracious God for one hundred years you have is: Still in the Mission Field: Following the Holy guided and sustained the mission and ministry Spirit, Practicing the Way of Love, and our of this Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Presiding Bishop, the Right Rev. Michael Curry Virginia. As we prepare for another century, stir will be with us for the weekend. The Friday evening Festival Eucharist will up your life-giving Spirit in our congregations to be at 7:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Catholic revive and renew us for the spreading of the Church, with Presiding Bishop Curry as the Gospel: Draw us out among our neighbors and Celebrant and Bishop Mark preaching . The help us understand the deep longings of their Presiding Bishop’s keynote address will be at hearts. Guide us forward so that we may be 9:00 am on Saturday morning, at the Hotel leaven for the world; a gathering strong for Roanoke, Crystal Ball room; visitors are service and glad in praise; and a people welcome at all the weekend events especially Saturday @ Council; registration for Worships listening and responding to your presence; is on line: through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and steadfast companion. Amen.
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Altar Flowers Sierra Club Earth Friendly Friday presents…. The flower chart for donating Sunday altar Canada to Mexico by Bike flowers is currently up on the bulletin board next to the kitchen and there are many Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Unitarian Sundays available for donating altar flowers for Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin 2019. If you have a particular Sunday which Road, SW, Roanoke, at the intersection of you wish to donate flowers, please put your Grandin & Brandon Ave, 6:30 pm Social Time name on the chart, or call the church office and 7:00 pm Program. (366-4157) and leave a message. Flowers Hunter Bell, Matt Bentley and Alex donations are $20.00 per week; checks can be Bentley will share as much as you care to made out to St. James Episcopal Church, with know about their 2,850-mile bicycle ride from a memo of “flower fund” and given to Lynn Banff, Canada to the Mexican border at Wright, or put in the offering plate. All flowers Antelope Wells, NM. They followed the longest are given to the glory of God and you may add mountain bike touring route in the world known an additional dedication. If you know what as the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route dedication you would like for the flowers, you (GDMBR) which sticks closely to the can give that to Lynn with your money. If you geographic continental divide of the United are not sure at this time, then you will need to States. Come enjoy stories and photographs, leave that information at the Church office prior check out the maps, and ask your questions. to the Sunday you will be giving flowers.
2019 Treat of the Week JANUARY BIRTHDAYS. . .
The Treat of the Week continues to be a January 1 Marjorie Taylore Price fun addition to the community building nature January 1 Nelson Walla of our parish coffee hour, and adds, on a good January 4 John Bird Sunday, about $30.00 of income to our January 4 Sandy Maxwell Building/Property Maintenance account each January 5 Carla Spencer week. Thank you to all who have generously January 8 John Whitcomb supported the Treat of the Week with your treat January 14 Sarah Perry donations as well as your weekly ticket January 16 Lynn Wright contributions. Also a loud shout out of thanks January 16 Pam Reilly to Cam Srpan who has been the coordinator January 17 Ian Johnstone for 2018 and is now handing over the January 19 Doug Tuggle leadership to Michael Bentley and assistant January 19 Anthony Jones Tricia Champion. January 20 Gina Wellford Additional treats are needed as we January 24 William Ostrom begin this new year. Treat suggestions are: January 25 Grace Aheron gift baskets, food items, gift cards (maximum of January 25 Sara Ostrom $25.00), gender neutral items, seasonal items, January 25 Evan Lee Miller items that highlight your particular gifts and January 26 Katie George talents…. January 26 Darryl Perry January 30 Brittany Frost January 30 Tom Orville
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JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES. . . NOTES OF THANKS. . .
January 1 Sharon & Jerry Miller January 14 Pam & Wayne Reilly Many thanks to the "helping hands" who January 17 John & Pat Whitcomb decorated the church for the Christmas January 30 Mimi & Bob Copenhaver season. They are: Lonnie Bower Betsy Briggs (always creates beautiful St. James Partners with Canaan Palestine sconces) Boots Ingram St. James continues a partnership with Odell James Ray Kasey Canaan Palestine selling their fair trade, Kevin and Ryan Laxton organic olive oil, to earn some additional funds Sharon Miller which will support ECW’s many benevolences. Renee Toth Canaan Palestine is a for-profit Palestinian Gina Wellford owned company that buys high-quality Debbie Williamson products, primarily olive oil, from farmers who Dottie Wrabel are members of the Palestine Fair Trade Your help is much appreciated and all the Association. Canaan Palestine and the PFTA greening will be admired for the season. work together to improve conditions for farmers Lawton Kasey and to build the future. Joint ventures have included everything from specialized training in Dear Saints of James, pruning for olive growers to micro-loans for Christmastide is a season when we focus women producers, to university scholarships on the gift of love, often through tangible gifts. for children of farmers, to the creation of the The Saints of James are always so generous Canaan Center for Organic Research and at this time of year with staff gifts and I am I Extension. very appreciative. Thank you for your love, Each month, Art Tatman will coordinate support and gracious Christmas bonus. 2018 the sale of Canaan’s olive oil, in the large had its losses of beloved members, but we are bottles, as well as the smaller flavor infused a strength to each other, and I appreciate your olive oils. If you wish to purchase any oil at faithfulness in ministry with me. May you and other times, contact Art (400-7706) or the our parish be richly blessed in 2019. Parish Office (366-4157); prices are set so that God’s peace and love, the ECW receives 20% of the sales for their Sue+ benevolences. Rumi, Nabali large bottles: $25 Dear Saints of James, Jenin, large bottle: $20 Many thanks for your Christmas gift. I feel Garlic, small bottle: $14 very blessed to continue serving at St. James. Chili, small bottle: $14 Your kindness and warmth are beyond Thyme, small bottle: $14 compare! Thanks again and I pray you each Basil, small bottle: $14 have a safe, happy, healthy 2019. Lemon, small bottle: $14 Jenin, small bottle: $14 Connie Bierly Your purchase of these superior products will help sustain neighbors near and far and they in turn will be sustaining you with their superior, organic olive oil, and the knowledge that you are helping many others through the ECW’s outreach offerings. January 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Year's Day 2 3 4 5 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM AA AA Bible Study 7:00 PM AA
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 10:00 AM 6:45 PM Bible Study AA Suday School Prayer Group Little Church 7:00 PM 11:30 AM (ages 3 to grade 12) 7:00 PM Social Club AA South Sudanese 3:00 PM AA Women’s Sewing AA 5:30 PM South Sudanese Worship 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 10:00 AM Bible Study Down Syndrome AA Suday School Prayer Group 7:00 PM Support Group 11:30 AM (ages 3 to grade 12) 7:00 PM AA South Sudanese 3:00 PM AA Women’s Sewing AA 5:30 PM South Sudanese Worship 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Martin Luther King Jr. 6:45 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 10:00 AM Little Church Bible Study AA 7:00 PM Suday School 7:00 PM Prayer Group Social Club (ages 3 to grade 12) 7:00 PM AA 3:00 PM Vestry AA AA 5:30 PM South Sudanese Worship 27 28 29 30 31 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM Prayer Group Bible Study Only 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Service at St. AA AA James Episcopal Church 10:00 AM Revival at Berglund Performing Arts Center 3:00 PM AA
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SERVER SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2019
Jan 6 8 AM Lector and Chalicist – Tim Buchholtz 10 AM Crucifer Cole Mattox Ushers Samson Mamour, Wasuk Kenyi Acolyte Sherry Powell Coffee Art Tatman, Gail Fields, Gina Wellford, Karen Martin T Bearer Now Now Kenyi Nursery Ann Bird, Butch Johnstone Grant Rucker Tellers Tricia Champion, Michael Kennedy Chalicist Arby Frost Altar Guild Betsy Briggs, Lawton Kasey, Pam Reilly Lector 1 Doug Tuggle Lector 2 Michael Bentley Prayers Samson Mamour
Jan 13 8 AM Lector – Bill Barksdale, Chalicist – Tim Buchholtz 10 AM Crucifer Abby Price Ushers Jackie Leonard, Jim McGlothlin Acolyte Madde Shepherd Coffee Gawor & Wiegandt Families T Bearer Grace Gawor Nursery Jessica Price, JoAnn Criscione Poni Kenyi Tellers Arby Frost, Katie Rucker Chalicist Samson Mamour Altar Guild Linda Bryant, Dorothy Herndon, Sharon Miller Lector 1 Brandt Gawor Lector 2 Betsy Briggs Prayers Chris Criscione
Jan 20 8 AM Lector Tim Buchholtz, Chalicist – James Kyle 10 AM Crucifer Ryan Laxton Ushers Chris & JoAnn Criscione Acolyte Jen Fitzgerald Coffee Carl & Pat Ball T Bearer Maddie Linkous Nursery Kim Laxton, TBD Jordyn Price Tellers Larry Mattox, Lonnie Bower Chalicist Art Tatman Altar Guild Boots Ingram, Odell James Lector 1 Avis Aheron Lector 2 Jackie Leonard Prayers Michael Bentley
Jan 27 Diocesan Convention 8 AM Lector – Phil Wheeler, Chalicist – Tim Buchholtz 10 AM No 10 AM Service Today
Feb 3 8 AM Lector and Chalicist – Tim Buchholtz 10 AM Crucifer Thomas Rucker Ushers Michael Kennedy, Grant Rucker Acolyte Poni Kenyi Coffee Avis Aheron, Lawton Kasey T Bearer Grace Gawor Nursery Ann Bird, Butch Johnstone Madde Shepherd Tellers Tricia Champion, Michael Kennedy Chalicist Laura Anderson Altar Guild Laura Anderson, Lonnie Bower, Danny Fainter Lector 1 Carla Spencer Lector 2 Art Tatman Prayers Brandt Gawor
Note: If you can't meet your scheduled time please find a substitute and let the Office know.