October 11, 2006 Volume 30, No. 10
Inside this Issue:
The next Loaves
& Fishes deadline is Monday, November 6, at 9:00 a.m. Please
forward your submissions to Janine Carmichael at janine@ stjamesleesburg.org or
drop them off in the Church Office.
Dear friends of St. James’:
Some
years ago, I was told of “three biblical characteristics to let you know that
it is God calling you to do something.”
Since
I’ve come here to St. James’, I have shared these characteristics several times
with the vestry, and on occasion I have shared them individually with several
of you. Over the course of the next few Loaves and Fishes, I would like
to share them with you.
The
first characteristic is, “There will be giants in the land, measure them
against God, not against yourself or other human beings.’
That
reference is from the 13th chapter of the Book of Numbers. A bit of background:
the book of Numbers is called in Hebrew a-midbar במדבר, which means
“in the desert.” (A much more interesting title, don’t you think?)
The
people Israel, delivered from Egypt but are not yet in the promised land. They
are in the desert. They are in the wilderness, wandering. Their daily needs are
being provided by God, but only their daily needs. Much of the book is about
their “murmurings,” or complaints (but more about that in part 2).
Finally
they are told to prepare for a major military battle, one that will help them
take the land they have been promised. Prior to the battle, they have been
instructed to send spies into the land they are about to attack.
At
the end of forty days the spies return with their report. They come to Moses
and Aaron and all the congregation and report to them, show them the fruit of
the land. They give Moses this account:
“We
went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!
Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities
are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.”
The
“descendants of Anak,” as we learn a bit later, are the Nephilim, huge people.
Giants.
Think
your worst enemy. Your most
overwhelming, worst-fear-inducing, “this is impossible” problem.
When
the people heard the report, they must have gone into a panic, because Caleb
has to silence the people. He even says (in a moment of braggadocio? – or bold
leadership?), “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can
certainly do it.”
But the men who had gone up with him
said, “We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And
they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.
They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we
saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak
come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we
looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:25ff).
Notice
what’s going on there? The spies come back and say, “The land we want is
fantastic, it’s everything we dreamed of. But “the descendents of Anak” are
there – larger opposition, greater odds, bigger problem than we can handle.
And
they’re exactly right. The opposition is too large, the odds too great, and the
problem bigger than THEY can handle.
But
not bigger than God can handle. What’s
the size of even Manute Bol compared to God?
What is the size of your most overwhelming problem, when compared to God’s
power, might, and influence?
When
you’re called to do a work of God, there will be giants in the land.
Measure
them against God, not yourself or other human beings.
Faithfully
yours,
Fr. John
From Senior Warden Mary Frances Forcier
The
return of Fall has brought a new burst of energy to St. James’! It was exciting
to see this energy in action at our Ministry Fair, to hear it in the excited voices
of children beginning a new church year, and to feel it in the many new
initiatives we are undertaking as a parish.
As
we launch into our new year, I thought it worthwhile to look back for just a
moment, just to see how we came to be in this place at this time.
Beginning
with the Parish Profile survey in the spring of 2005, St. James’ has been on a
journey of discovery and discernment.
The results of the survey, refined and tested in focus groups, became
the basis for our Vision Document, developed during our “sabbatical summer” and
affirmed in January 2006. Three goals
emerged through this process:
1.
To inspire, equip and engage every member of St. James’ as
an active disciple of Christ;
2.
To enable each member to take part in hands-on outreach programs;
3.
To undertake a mission-driven renovation and expansion of
the church’s facilities.
These
three goals have guided us since January as we have:
·
Hired Rev. Kate Bryant as Assistant to the Rector for Adult
Ministries (Goal #1)
·
Begun to develop “neighborhood groups” that will serve as
welcoming and engaging centers for St. James’ throughout our community (Goal
#1)
·
Initiated the process of identifying one common outreach
goal in Christ’s name (Goal #2)
·
Established “Kids with Purpose” as an after-school program
that guides children as they serve others (Goal #2)
·
Undertaken the process of engaging an architect and
outlining our plans for renovation and expansion of our facilities (Goal #3)
·
Begun to plan for a Capital Campaign that will fund our
building plans (Goal #3)
The
adventure continues, guided by the Holy Spirit and energized by the joining of
our time, our talents, and our treasure. I look forward to working with you
side-by-side as we journey forward in Christ’s name.
Faithfully
yours,
Mary Frances Forcier
Senior Warden
Pizza with a Purpose is back!! This
Wednesday night program for youth was a huge hit last year, and we’ll resume
our gatherings on Wednesday, September 20. PwP is kind of Bible study,
kind of “this is what’s happening at school,” kind of “this is the kind of
music I like,” and somehow, we tie it all in! Pastors Mary and Jeunée lead the
program:
Wednesdays: Middle School: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Senior High:
7:30-9:00 p.m.
In the
Catacombs at St. James’
No need to sign
up, just show up!
The Shankle family has graciously offered their
home to the Senior High Youth Group. Our regular gatherings will take place at
their home, complete with ping-pong, air hockey, and pizza! For those who live
near the Shankles, meeting at their house is perfectly fine. We will always
offer a “shuttle” from St. James’ and back, so youth can also be dropped off
and picked up at the Church.
Please make sure you’re on the Youth Group
email list!!!! We communicate via email—not through postcards anymore!! Also
check out our website for a calendar and information about upcoming events.
Youth Group
Calendar
October 22: Middle School & Senior High: Build-a-Float-a-thon! Help out with the
building of the St. James’ Halloween Parade Float. We need LOTS of builders,
painters, and decorators. 4:00-8:00 p.m.
at St. James’.
October 29: Middle School & Senior High: Build-a-Float-a-thon Round II! We need to put the finishing
touches on our float! Come for pizza and decorating! 4:00-8:00 p.m. at St. James’.
October 31: Cheer the St. James’ Float to victory in the
Halloween Parade! Be on the lookout for a fire-breathing, mythical creature
making its way down King Street!
November 5: Whew, we’re tired from all that building. . . and school’s out. . .
so we’re taking a break from Youth Group!
November 10-12: 6th and 7th Grade Weekend at Shrine Mont is an awesome
gathering of youth from all over the Diocese. We hike, play games, sing,
worship, and have a good ole’ time in the mountains. Please see Pastor Mary for
more information. Cost is $120; scholarships are available.
November 12: Senior High
Youth Group at the Shankles’. 6:00-7:30. Meet there or take the St. James’
shuttle which leaves the church parking lot promptly at 6:00.
November 19: Victory Dinner at
Ida Lee! While the adults are socializing and doing grown-up stuff, we’ll be
playing games in the gym!
November 25: Happy
Thanksgiving! No Youth Group.
Scholarships are available for ALL youth
events. Please contact Pastor Mary for more information.
The Rev. Walter Wheeler Williams, Rector of St. James’ Episcopal
Church (Part TWO)
The
Williams’ made friends with their neighbor, John Janney, and became frequent
visitors. This friendship would prove
to be a wonderful gift for both Rev. Williams as well as Mr. Janney.
Within
the first year, tragedy struck with John Brown’s raid on the Federal Arsenal at
Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia).
The parishioners of St. James’ were worried about this terrorist action. Rev. Williams worked diligently to reassure
his parishioners by holding several prayer meetings. John Brown’s trial and subsequent execution would seem to have
ended the concern.
During
1860, Rev. Williams cultivated his friendship with John Janney, discovering a
kindred spirit in his politics and in his faith. Both men were opposed to secession and prayed diligently for the
reconciliation of the Union. They were
not alone. Most of Loudoun County was
for preserving relations with the Union as a whole. Loudoun County voted for John C. Breckenridge, a Unionist, in the
Presidential Election of 1860.
In
March 1861, Loudoun County sent to the Secessionist Committee John Janney and
John Carter to represent their interests.
Loudoun was divided in its sympathies with the Southern and Eastern
section (east of the Catoctins) supporting secession and the Northern and
Western sections supporting preservation.
Both Janney and Carter were Unionists, with full support for preserving
the Union. Upon arrival, John Janney
was elected the President of the Secessionist Committee. Unfortunately, in May 1861, the Committee
voted to secede, with Loudoun’s vote coming at 1626 to 726 to secede. Although Janney and Carter both voted against
secession, Janney presented Robert E. Lee his sword to command the Army of Northern
Virginia.
For
Rev. Williams, this added a new dimension to his pastoral skills. He immediately began giving the boys of his
Sunday school class Bibles of their own.
He instructed the boys on daily readings and prayer and requested that,
no matter what happened in their futures, they diligently follow his
instruction. Once Virginia seceded from
the Union, Leesburg decided to burn all bridges leading from Maryland and
western Virginia, a desire carried out by Thomas J. Jackson. In addition, three forts were built around
the perimeter of the town: Ft. Johnston
to the west, Ft. Beauregard to the southeast and Ft. Evans to the East. Ft. Johnston and Ft. Evans can still be seen
today.
Within
Leesburg, panic ensued. As a border
county with enemy territory nearly just a stone’s throw away, the people were
afraid for their lives. Rev. Williams
worked tirelessly to preserve the grace and dignity of his parishioners through
prayer and teaching of the scriptures.
He was greatly admired for his stamina and ability to hold up under the
pressures of the difficult times. With
the enlistment of so many of his boys from Sunday school, his work became
endless.
Beginning
with the summer of 1861, the times of terror seemed endless. The First Battle of Manassas occurred in
July 1861. Immediately, Loudoun County
realized the action would always remain close.
Rev. Williams continued to work with his parishioners in providing as
much “normalcy” as he could through worship and prayer meetings. However, on October 21, 1861, the entire
town was thrown into upheaval when it was discovered that Union troops were
coming across from Maryland into the town over Harrison’s Island on the Potomac
at Ball’s Bluff. Confederate troops
stationed at Ft. Evans made the discovery and were successful in repelling the
raiding party. Unfortunately, life in
Leesburg was never the same. In spite
of the raid being thwarted, the forts were abandoned by the Confederates soon
after and the town was then under siege by the Union for most of the duration
of the war.
For
Rev. Williams, it would seem that 1861 was the worst of years. However, there was more to come. With each passing year, there were new
battles, both to the north and to the south with both armies passing through
Leesburg for each battle. But, for Rev.
Williams, the worst was likely the Battle of Chickahominy. He had received a note home from a boy
indicating that the boy was to be a part of the coming battle but to “tell Mr.
Williams I have read the Bible he gave me, and have tried to be a better
boy.” A few days later, the body of
this boy was received home and buried by Rev. Williams. The Bible accompanied the body with pages
marked by leaves from the trees along the Chickahominy River.
Early
on, the Methodist Church had been taken over as a hospital. Rev. Williams opened St. James’ to all in
need of prayer, endeavoring to be of service to any person, regardless of
denomination, in any occasion.
Occasionally, St. James’ Church would be taken over as a headquarters
for the occupying force at the time.
When this occurred, Rev. Williams maintained services at the Rectory in
an effort to keep life as normal for his parishioners as he could.
Throughout
this time, two things helped keep Rev. Williams remain focused and feeling more
positive. One was his continued
friendship with his neighbor, John Janney, and the other was his regular
correspondence with his brother, Lt. Commander Theodorick Williams. Both of these men helped Rev. Williams stay
grounded even while he helped them stay positive in their spiritual lives.
With
the conclusion of the war and Lee’s surrender in April 1865, life in Leesburg
and at St. James’ made every attempt to return to normalcy. Rev. Williams had worked tirelessly for six
years, and though he was only 31, his health was already beginning to
fail. In April 1866, he tendered his
resignation to the Vestry. Rev.
Williams and his family moved on to new parishes in Georgetown, Washington,
D.C., New York, and then finally in Baltimore, Maryland. He died in late June 1892 at the age of 57.
Jack
Davison and
Stacy Harrison, Parish Historians, are very busy researching, pulling
together, and writing about the history of our parish. Because their minds are
so focused on the past, they need help in the afore-mentioned tasks as well as
other plans they wish to begin. If you are interested in helping them out,
contact the Church Office at (703)777-1124.
“The fact of
knowing how to read is nothing, the whole point is knowing what to read.”
- Jacques Ellul,
20th century French philosopher/theologian
Would you read
more if you knew what books to read? Would you be more likely to read if you
knew about a book you could pick up and put down without losing its drift while
you rush the children about, or prop your eyelids open as the day closes about
you? The Library Committee is about to
launch some new efforts to guide you in that direction. Book reviews by our Rector, Assistants to
the Rector, ministry heads, and other St. James’ readers will be appearing in Loaves
& Fishes, the Parish Library, the Parish Hall . . .
Also, new
looks are coming to the Library to enable you to easily search out books and
know their contents.
Please do
visit the Library soon. We welcome your
input.
“One sure
window into a person's soul is his reading list.”
Mary B. W. Tabor
Book Review: A
New Kind of Christian, by Brian McLaren, review submitted
by Anya Johnson
Brian McLaren is a former ultraconservative Plymouth Brethren, former
English professor, and former pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in
Maryland. In the past few years he has
taken up residence as one of the leading controversial leaders among conservative
evangelicals. A New Kind of
Christian is the first in a trilogy that has fueled intense debate amongst
church leaders who feel McLaren borders on dangerous. Yet there’s always another side to the story. McLaren has resonated with those who feel they
cannot have an open-ended discussion about their beliefs. A reader of McLaren says: "He's leading a [spiritual]
conversation that needs to happen," one that "I've been hungry
for." (Murphy, Caryle. “Evangelical Author Puts Progressive Spin On
Traditional Faith.” Washington Post, September 10, 2006, A01.)
The St. James’ Book Group elected to read A New Kind of Christian to
determine for themselves what pot this man is stirring. McLaren writes, “I
started this book as a totally nonfiction treatise on Christianity and
postmodernity, but after I got about 100 pages into it, I realized the book was
on the road to becoming 500 pages of abstraction - and no one would read it.” (www.brianmclaren.net) Therefore, he created the story of a pastor struggling with his faith
and his church and the dialogue that ensues with his daughter’s high school
science teacher. These two
fictionalized men discuss with intensity the historical settings of modernity
and postmodernism; pluralism; the kingdom of God; world religions; evangelism;
interpreting the Bible; hell. Tackling
the major components of Western thinking inside the church collides with the
pastor’s “from the cradle” upbringing.
The impact of their discussions adds another layer to this story with
the dynamics of relationship between two men exploring their personal journeys,
vocation, and family.
St. James’ Book Group offers the following to entice a reading of this
book and explore its debatable issues:
·
Excellent exploration of the issues facing the church today
·
Encourages questions
·
Thought-provoking and timely
·
Creates an on-going dialogue
·
Approachable, accessible, relevant
·
Content exciting because it takes things to the next level
The book group took sides on the book’s format. Some readers
felt his “novel” approach contrived, yet did find the dialogue setting helpful
to understand both sides of issues presented.
In conclusion, if someone is in a place wanting to understand issues
facing the church today, facing them, facing their children, A New Kind of
Christian provides an invigorating, fairly easy place to commence.
From Keith Turbeville
The
Turbeville family would like again to give a big Texas howdy to all our St.
James’ family. It is hard to believe that I will be starting my second year of
seminary. I had a great first year and
was very pleased with all the learning and blessings that God has given us. I
have learned so much. I have just
returned from and very exciting and busy summer, so Karen and I wanted to bring
you up to date on our lives.
I
was in Charleston, SC, where I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education at
Roper/St Francis Hospital. Ironically,
this is the same hospital where I was born.
I was also able to spend my 40th birthday with two of the
nurses that worked in maternity at that time.
I spent the summer living with my mother and stepfather while I
worked. Karen and the girls were able
to come down for a visit for a week so we could spend some time together.
I
really enjoyed my work as a Chaplain for the hospital. I found myself on-call a number of times,
helping families, patients and even hospital staff deal with their grief. It was truly a humbling and rewarding experience. The experience and education at CPE will be
with me for a lifetime.
Karen
and the girls spent the summer visiting family and friends. They arrived back in Austin before me, to
prepare for the start of another school year (School started August 15th
in Austin!). Karen continues to teach students with mental disabilities. She
was chosen to participate in a literacy program in which her classroom will
serve as a “model” classroom for the district. Obviously, she is very excited
by this. Meredith is enjoying middle
school after a very successful 5th grade year. Peyton continues to Irish dance and even won
four “1st place medals over the summer. She has started 5th grade. Even Sydney started Elementary school this year. She is so
excited to be a kindergartener!
As
a middler, I, like our past seminarian Casey Shobe, will begin working as a
seminarian at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Round Rock, Texas. I am very
excited about being part of a church again. We miss all of you at St. James’,
and I miss serving you. However, I have been very excited by all the great news
of how St. James’ is growing.
We
would again like to thank everyone at St. James’ for your support and prayers
over the last year. Your support has
helped us a great deal and we could not be at seminary without you. We keep you
in our daily prayers and we ask the same. We are 1/3 of the way to
graduation!
Blessings,
Keith
Turbeville
Fall Clean-Up Day! Please join us
on Saturday, November 11, for our annual Fall Clean-up Day. Bring your rakes, shovels, etc., and help
ready St. James’ for Advent.
From the St.
James’ Parish Register
Marriages
Send therefore your blessing upon
these your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in
faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be
a haven of blessing and peace. Amen. Book of
Common Prayer, page 431
Emily Dawn Strum & Brian Russell Kamin, September
30
Margaret Davis Price & Kevin James Sullivan, October
8 at Shrine Mont
Transfers to St. James’
May
the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you, that in this, and in all things, you
may do God’s will in the service of the kingdom of his Christ. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, page 420
Christopher Davila from
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Richmond Virginia
Jane
Roth from
Iowa City, Iowa
Bernice
Havlicek
Greg
& Jan Lousteau
Tanya & Brian
Early
Eugene
Bedell
Funerals
Rest
eternal grant to them, O Lord: And let light perpetual shine upon them. Book of Common
Prayer, page 486
Charles
Robert McGeehan
Ann
T. Tallman
Newcomers’
Corner
New
to St. James’? Our next Newcomers’ coffee will be on
Sunday, November 5, at 10:10 a.m. in the Janney Parlor. Come if you are new or even feel new and
collect your St. James’ information/welcome packet.
St.
James’ has welcomed 55 people to our Newcomers’ coffees during the last
year. Do you recognize all of the
people in the pews around you?? Do you
know their names? All of us need to
feel ourselves an extension of the Newcomers’ Committee, assisting us in making
certain that each person coming through our doors is given a warm welcome into
our community. You have worshipped
together and passed the peace. You have
been linked. So, after the service,
take a moment to speak to someone around you, linger and share a coffee with
them during the fellowship times, get to know others who are not yet in your
circle of friends. Now, take the next
step and join us on the Newcomers’ Committee.
St. James’ is growing about as rapidly as Loudoun County. We are already hearing about a vision of
Outreach for the Church. We need you to
help us include all our newcomers into our active Church community. It's easy and fun. You want your coffee, you
enjoy a social chat, just change your locale and join us in the Janney Parlor
after the 9:00 a.m. service on the first Sunday of every month. Our next coffee will be Sunday, November 5.
Join us! For more information contact the
Church Office at (703)777-1124.
20s/30s
Group: Please join us
for the next gathering of the 20s/30s Group on Monday, November 6. Darrin Myers
is our host, and he tells us that we need not bring anything! If you haven’t
come to one of the dinners before, know that you’re in for a good time. RSVP to
Pastor Mary at (703)777-1124. Please make sure to give us your email address so
that we can include you on evites.
The Corner
Chorale has welcomed a few new members to start our Fall schedule. Others are always welcome to join this group
of talented and dedicated musicians.
You do not have to be a perfect singer!
We work together to add to our 9:00 a.m. worship services!
The Children’s
Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings:
Grades 1-3 5:30-6:10 p.m.
Grades 4-7 6:15-6:55 p.m.
Children are
welcome to join at any time during the school year.
Please contact
Dr. Pat at the
Church Office at (703)777-1124 if
you have questions!
Sundays
Adult Forum, 10:10 a.m.
Board Room, North Street School Building
Sunday School, 10:10 a.m., St. James’ Campus
Youth Groups
Middle School: 4:30 p.m.
Senior High: 6:00 p.m.
Parish Hall
Alcoholics Anonymous, 5:30 p.m., Rittenhouse
Basement
Mondays
Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous
8:00 p.m., Rittenhouse Basement
Tuesdays
Al-Anon, 7:00 p.m., Rittenhouse Basement
Wednesdays
Pizza with a Purpose
Middle School: 6:00 p.m.
Senior High: 7:30 p.m.
Catacombs
Kids With Purpose, 4:00-5:30
p.m., St. James’ Campus
St. James’ Building Committee, 7:00 p.m., Parish
Library
Children’s Choir, 5:30 p.m.,
Music Room
St. James’ Adult Choir, 7:45 p.m.,
Music Room
Narcotics Anonymous, 7:00 p.m., Rittenhouse
Basement
Thursdays
St. Gabriel’s Choir, 6:30 p.m.,
Nave
Alcoholics Anonymous, 8:30 p.m., Rittenhouse
Basement
Saturdays
Corner Chorale, 9:00 p.m., Nave
Honor
a loved one, give thanks for an anniversary or accomplishment, or commemorate a
loved one’s birthday or death by sponsoring flowers for the St. James’
Episcopal Church altar or other worship related expenses. If you would like to celebrate in this way,
please fill out this form and mail it to:
St. James’ Episcopal
Church
14 Cornwall Street NW
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
along with a
contribution of $50 payable to “St. James’ Church”
with “Altar
Flowers/Worship Expenses” in the memo line.
Your
name and telephone:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Please
specify your dedication:
“To the Glory of God and . . .
.
. . in celebration of
________________________________________________________________________
.
. . in honor of
________________________________________________________________________
.
. . in memory of
________________________________________________________________________
.
. . in thanksgiving of
________________________________________________________________________
|
Please circle the date you would like to sponsor in 2006: |
|
October 22, 29 November 5, 12, 19, 26 December 3, 10, 17 |
We
are...St. James’ Episcopal Church,
a community of 1,430 baptized members.
We
belong...to the Diocese of Virginia,
a community of 90,000 baptized members and 450 clergy in 38 counties of
central, northern and northwestern Virginia, serving the world through 194
congregations, six schools, two diocesan retreat centers, and six diocesan
homes, and home to the largest Anglican seminary in the world—Virginia
Theological Seminary in Alexandria.
Which
belongs to...The Episcopal Church, USA,
a community of 2.5 million members in 113 dioceses in the Americas and
abroad. The Episcopal Church, USA was
organized in 1789.
Which
belongs to...the Anglican Communion,
a global community of 73 million Anglicans in 38 member provinces.
Sundays
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:10 a.m. Christian Education
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I or II
Wednesdays
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Childcare for infants and toddlers is available in the Nursery during the 9:00 & 11:15 services.
How to Contact Clergy & Staff via E-mail
Rector: The Rev. John Ohmer: