From the Rector’s Desk HE other week, Priscilla and I had the great joy and pleasure of spending some time in Alexandria, Virginia. The reason for our visit was twofold, it was the 20th T reunion of my graduating class from Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), and it was also the consecration of the seminary's new chapel—the old one was destroyed by fire. Both events were joy-filled, celebratory, and up-lifting. The reunion was a great time to reconnect with friends who have been very important in my life and much loved. November 2015 Some of us have stayed closely connected over the years, but we don't see each other Volume 1, Issue 10 very much as we all work on weekends (clergy problem). The consecration and all of the events surrounding it were also a wonderful opportunity to reunite or meet folks from all Inside this issue over the Episcopal Church. In typical VTS fashion the chapel, food, music, flowers and From the Rector’s Desk…………………..1 preaching were all perfect. The weather was even beautiful the whole time. The highlight of the service itself was the sermon preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Treasurer’s Report ……......….………..…2 Welby. He was deeply heartfelt, uplifting, faithful, and humorous all at the same time. SJ 2020: Envision Our Future……........3 The four hallmarks of what I believe are needed for a good sermon. From the Associate Rector……….….....4 The one overwhelming theme for me the whole week was a renewed and reenergized St. James’s Center for Children...... ...5 hope for the future of our beloved Church. After the service I saw a picture being taken Music & Liturgy.….…..…………………... ..6 of Frank Griswold, the most recently retired Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; From the Seminarian ..... ………...…. ….7 Katherine Jefferts Schori, the current Presiding Bishop; Michael Curry, the soon to be Presiding Bishop; and my dear friend Ian Markham, the dean of VTS (the largest Mission .......................... …………..…....8 Episcopal/Anglican seminary in the world and both Curtis's and my alma mater, so by Around the Parish ......... ………..…. .....9 extension and association the best). My first thought at seeing this gathering was, "If this Readings & Registry……………………….10 is the leadership of the Church, we are in great shape." The only thing is, no matter how smart, faithful, and dedicated these people are or the hundreds of other bishops, priests Women of St. James’s…………….……..10 and lay folks who were on "The Holy Hill" that week, the life, faith, and work of the Holiday Tea Flyer……………………..Insert Church is the responsibility and call of all of us. We all have a part to play in the mission of God. For each of us this work will be something different, but passive participation is not one of the choices. A life of faith and following Jesus is not a spectator sport. It will Highlights in November cost us time, much energy, and even our money to be faithful to God and this community. All Saints’ Sunday HE at 10am then Stewardship Brunch, Nov 1 Like Peter, James, and John at the transfiguration, sometimes it is hard to come down Taste of St. James’s at 7pm in the from the mountaintop, but it is necessary. This work that we are all called to do is parish hall on Friday, Nov 6 important, it is a privilege, and it can be a real joy. Second Sundays: Rhythms of Grace, 4pm / Youth Group, 5:30 pm, Nov 8 Your Brother in Christ, Greater Hartford Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast at 7:15, Thursday, Nov 12 Parish Grounds Fall Cleanup, 9am to 1pm on Saturday, Nov 21 UTO Sunday Ingathering, Nov 22 Thanksgiving Day Eucharist at 10am in the chapel on Thursday, Nov 26 Church by the Pond, Nov 28 at 2pm To Learn, Live and Teach the Values All ages Stocking Stuffing Event, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ 10:45am on Sunday, Nov 29 Vestry Corner Treasurer’s Report—September 2015 Current Position: As we enter the final in the budget. Those earlier than quarter of the year, the overall financial expected payments were the primary position of the church isn’t quite as reason for the surplus positions strong as it has been during most of the reported so far this year. We expected year. In the box below, the overall the amount by which pledges exceed surplus relative to the budget is $1,737. budget to decrease as we moved closer While a surplus is better than a deficit, to the end of the year. The surprise is the surplus last month was close to that we didn’t expect it to close in one $12,500. The reason for the drop is that month. Year to date expenses remain income moved from $10,500 above below budget. Expenses are now budget as of the end of August to $2,940 below budget as compared to $1,200 below plan at the end of $1,987 below budget as of the end of September. As reported in this year’s August. Expenses will continue to be monthly reports, pledge payments monitored. were received sooner than anticipated “Generosity is not merely a trait that pleases God; it is a practice which releases us from bondage to the ego, and also to things.” - Albert E. Day (1884-1973) Income & Expense Summary: Category YTD YTD YTD Total Actual Budget Variance Annual Budget Income (+) $509,433 498,919 10,514 752,400 Above plan Expense (-) 501,782 503,769 1,987 756,900 Below plan Net 7,651 (4,850) 12,501 (4,500) Positive variance to budget Income: Year-to-date (YTD) actual income is $1,203 below budget (or 0.2% below budget). As of the end of August, YTD income was $10,500 above budget (2.1%). Expense: YTD expenses are currently $2,940, or 0.5%, below budget. As of the end of August, expenses were $2,000 (0.4%) below budget. Most of the expense categories are slightly under or over budget. Bring a Friend to Church 2 St. James’s 2020 Updates We are off to a good start with the small groups! On Sunday, October 11 over 30 people attended three sessions to discuss their ideas for what they would like to see happening at HE lay and ordained leadership of St. James's has been in conversation for some St. James’s in 2020, with quite a time about our future and what part we are being called to play in God's Mission. lot of positive feedback. It has become increasingly clear that if our faithful community is to move forward T On Sunday, October 18, we held actively and effectively in God's Mission, we need to take a moment and look inwardly at ourselves and assess our facilities. We believe that the best way to do this is to broad- another round of Vision Group en our conversation to include the wider parish. Meetings. Nearly 45 attended split between four small Our conversation, starting with Vision Group Meetings, will be a vital part of what we groups—one after the 8:00 are calling St. James's 2020: Envision Our Future. We are very excited about this op- service and three after the 9:30. portunity and pray that everyone in the St. James's community will be personally in- These groups were a good volved as we move forward into the future while respecting our past. Over the next 6 representation of the adult months to a year, the St. James's 2020 Committee and the entire congregation will take community within the parish. the following steps together: The age of participants ranged October – November: Between October 11 and November 8 (excluding November 1), from 19 to 90. Engagement was Vision Group Meetings will take place on Sundays after both services. Rather than one high, and many creative and large meeting after the 9:30 service, there will be two or three small group meetings, of thoughtful ideas were no more than 12 people each, taking place at the same time to facilitate discussion discussed. while retaining the diversity of the overall congregation. (Spouses are asked to not The common themes continue attend the same meeting to encourage multiple points of view.) to be somewhat the same as in Please attend at least one of these meetings. Even if you might be uncomfortable previous meetings, with an speaking in a group setting, please attend a meeting to listen to the discussion, and emphasis on mission then contact a member of the St James’s 2020 Committee either in person or by email engagement/community with your feedback. outreach, hospitality, and music, although there were some As these sessions unfold, the Committee will keep track of proposed ideas, and wheth- creative new thoughts on how er our current facilities would support them. The congregation will be continuously to approach these important updated with the ideas coming out of the meetings so that conversations can build up- ministries. on previous Vision Group discussions. This way we all can share in the excitement about the possibilities of improving our great parish and ministries! On Sunday, October 25, three more small groups of adults December – February: The St. James’s 2020 Committee will report all findings that assembled to continue the might impact our current facilities to the Episcopal Church Foundation. ECF will analyze conversation, along with a the results and prepare a feasibility study for funding these projects through a capital group of teenagers led by campaign.