June 22, 2007 Volume 31, No. 05
Inside this Issue:
“What Joining St.
James’ Means to Us”
The next Loaves
& Fishes deadline is Monday, August 13, 2007, 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’:
Ahhh,
summertime!
On
the one hand, things slow down a bit at St. James’ during the summer.
Since
Sabbath rest is an important part of not only our mental and physical health,
but of our spiritual health, we make no apologies for giving our “program year”
activities a rest each summer.
That’s
because from Labor Day to Memorial Day, we’re pretty much driven by the program
and liturgical year, as we move from our Parish Activities Fair to the Annual
Giving Campaign and Fall membership and bible study classes to (this year) the
public launch of our Capital Campaign on First Advent, to Advent and Christmas
season itself to our Annual Congregational Meeting to Epiphany to Ash Wednesday
and Lent to Holy Week and Easter, before finishing our program year just after
Easter with the conclusion of our Capital Campaign – followed by our Parish
Retreat and Bishop’s visit!
And
that’s just the program/liturgical year.
Add
to that our various pastoral care ministries – weddings, funerals, family
emergencies – and dozens of outreach
activities and you see why we all need to follow Jesus’ command to “go apart by
yourselves and rest a while.”
So
again, we make no apologies for resting a bit during the summer, for slowing
down a bit.
Faithfully
yours,
Fr. John
“What Joining St. James’ Means to Us”
by
Stephanie Allen & Adam Modzelesky
As children, our spiritual journey is dictated by our parents. What they believe; we believe. This is not a bad thing, of course, but
eventually we’ll be inclined to look within and ask ourselves, “Is this
spiritual community the right one for me?”
Everyone will have his or her own way of coming to a conclusion and, for
many, it will take a long time to effectively answer that question. But, the fact is, by being human, most of us
will probably resort to analyzing and rationalizing our options.
But, after 26 years, we’ve both learned religion is not something you
can entrust to a Venn diagram. Answers,
especially spiritual ones, do not come simply after applying a mathematical
formula and weighing the pros and cons of particular denominations. Instead, these types of decisions and
actions must be determined by feelings – those voices in our guts that tell us,
“Yes, this feels right.”
We were both initially drawn to St. James’ by its remarkable
architecture. We’d love to say a higher
power led us here, but no, sorry… it
was the building. Eventually, though,
what drove us to officially join this incredible community was its parish and
clergy. Not only did we instantly feel
comfortable and at home here, but we soon discovered our core beliefs and
personalities meshed with the Episcopal church’s and the St. James’
clergy. For the first time, Adam could
walk up to a priest and hold a real conversation, asking questions without
receiving pretentious, incoherent answers that left him more confused than
ever. And for the first time, Stephanie
came to church and left understanding that day’s lesson and feeling inspired by
the sermon. These events, while
probably commonplace for long-time St. James’ members, were completely new to
us and made us want more.
On Sunday, May 3rd, we were both honored to kneel before the
Bishop and feel a sense of homecoming.
Stephanie was confirmed and Adam was received into the church. It was a very special day for the both of
us, and not only because it marked the beginning of a new spiritual journey,
but because it marked the beginning of our new spiritual journey together. We’d just gotten engaged two weeks before
and because we now knew we would be able to get married in such a beautiful
place, surrounded by such a welcoming community, we were happier than
ever. What made the event even more
special was the fact that Adam’s parents decided to make the same commitment
and were received into the Episcopal church that same day. They, like us, were blown away by the sense
of community St. James’ exudes, and knew from the beginning they were probably
always Episcopalians at heart.
Father John, Rev. Kate, and Rev. Mary couldn’t have been more supportive
and kind to us throughout this process – not to mention the Shankle family,
especially Lollie. Had it not been for
her, we might still be pondering an official transition. But, suffice to say, we are thrilled to be
where we’re at and are honored to be official St. James’ members. Thank you all, and see you on Sundays!
Regular Youth Group Meetings:
Middle School: 4:30-6:30 @ St. James’
Senior High: 6:00-7:30 at the Shankles’ house
Youth Mission Trips: We have two
youth mission trips this summer, one to North Carolina, and one to New Orleans.
The North Carolina group is on mission from June 22-29, and the New Orleans
group from July 21-28. If you’d like to support our mission team, you can still
buy a “share” in our trip. Shares are $10, and as a shareholder, you will be
invited to our spaghetti supper on August 29, where you’ll hear about our
trips. Please keep our youth and adult leaders in your prayers:
Towel Ministry (North Carolina) New Orleans
Kevin Young Liz
Cunningham
Stephen Brannock Ashley
Cameron
Graham Ohmer Gabrielle
Haeringer
Scott Michell Courtney
Marcellin
Jackson Sump Richard
Moffett
Courtney Marcellin Phil
Cunningham
Liz Cunningham RJ
Johnson
Elise Moroz Pete
Nunnally (adult)
Temple Douglas
Bailey Kelliher
Mary & Chris Davila (adults)
Laura Young (adult)
Middle School Outreach Camp! Monday, August 27-Thursday, August 30. We are
teaming up with St. Mary’s, Arlington, for our first-ever Middle School day
camp. We have a variety of activities planned: everything from visiting Capitol
Hill to helping at a homeless shelter to gleaning crops for a local Food Bank.
Cost to participate is $20 for the week. This camp is for rising 6th-8th
graders, and St. James’ parishioners get first dibs until July 27. Our limit is
25 youth. To sign up, please contact Pastor Mary.
by
the Rev. Mary Davila
St. James’
Episcopal Church gratefully thanks the following teachers and leaders for their
devotion to the spiritual education of St. James’ children:
Sunday School
Teachers
Year-Olds
Darcey Wilkes
Annick Lips
Mary Pellicano
Mary Dunlop
4-Year-Olds
Wendy McMahon
Kathy Scott
Stefanie Hughes
Kindergarten
Caroline Schaefer
David Schaefer
Debbie Johnson
Dania Smith
First Grade
Patti Bagdasarian
Marissa Putman
John Rudolph
Kylie Garey
Second Grade
Jennifer Lassiter
Christian Overton
Claire DeAngioletti
Raymond Jones
Third Grade
Sue Hamilton
Kim Albuerne
Fourth Grade
Dina Bessa
Pat Schott
Tim Schott
Sarah Black
Cindy Black
Fifth Grade
Catherine Richardson
Barbara Poell
Damon Putman
Deanna Feddersen
Middle School
Kathy Riedel
Nan Morning
Senior High
Karl Riedel
Margie Lang Garnhart
Faithful Aide,
Snack Supplier, Substitute,
Copy Runner, &
Cheerful
Greeter
Linda Gwinn Casey
Children’s
Chapel Leaders
Bridget
Penberthy
Claire
DeAngioletti
Stephen
DeAngioletti
Linda Gwinn
Casey
Terry Sue
Bowman
John Bowman
Kelly Krauss
Mary Beth
Greason
Tag Greason
Kristin Coker
Page Moffett
Julie Garey
Darcey Wilkes
Kirk Junker
Caroline
Schaefer
David Schaefer
Kim Albuerne
Louis Albuerne
Henry Stribling
Laura Young
Sally Downer
Matt Shankle
Vacation Bible
School is filled! This is the fastest we have ever filled to
capacity, and with more than 120 children, this is the largest group we have
ever had. If you turned in a registration form and have not heard back from us,
then you have a spot. VBS takes place at Leesburg Presbyterian Church from July
9-13. Thanks to all of our volunteers who make this program run so smoothly!
VBS
Shuttle: If your child
is attending VBS, Pastor Mary can take him/her from VBS to St. James’, or you
can drop off children at St. James’. Please sign up with the Church Office at
(703)777-1124.
Pizza and
Conversation with Pastor Mary. On Thursday, July 12, at 12:30 p.m., Pastor Mary
will be having lunch with elementary age children. The topic of the day is
death and heaven. We’ll take a field trip to St. James’ cemetery, and talk
about what it means to die and what heaven is. We’ll continue to offer “pizza
and conversation” gatherings throughout the year, focusing on various topics;
so if you miss this one, don’t worry.
“Thank you for being the best teacher
ever!”
“Thank you for teaching me about God and
Jesus.”
“Thank you for teaching me to love my
naver [sic].”
These are some
of the expressions of thanks and love that children at St. James’ wrote for
their Sunday school teachers. Teachers make a huge impression on their
students—won’t you consider joining our team? As a teacher, you lead a class
about 10 times a year, and we provide all of the materials. Contact Pastor Mary
for more information about Sunday school or to sign up to teach.
“...and there was given to him the book of the
prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and
found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the
Lord.’’
“History
is alive,” so said Judge Horne at the 250th Anniversary celebration
for Loudoun County. And he is
right. Two thousand years ago, Jesus
read the even more ancient words written by the prophet Isaiah aloud in the
Synagogue, in part to announce that the scripture has been fulfilled, but also
to announce that the scripture must be fulfilled in the future by those who
hear the words. I think the founders of
Loudoun County must have heard those words.
And the founders of Loudoun County were our ancestors at St. James’
Church.
Two
hundred and seventy four years ago, a quarter century before the founding of
Loudoun County, the seeds of St. James’ Church were planted at the Big Spring,
just north of present day Leesburg. The
site was located by one Francis Aubrey, who was charged by the Truro Vestry to
do so and then to build a chapel of ease, later called Goose Creek Chapel. The site of Francis Aubrey’s home is forever
immortalized on a map of Virginia, drawn by Peter Jefferson in 1755, a copy of
which on my wall above my office desk.
It is clear that Mr. Aubrey recognized the need in his “neighbors” for
spiritual guidance and refreshment.
Once planted, those seeds grew, slowly at first, but steadily.
The
Goose Creek Chapel directly served many families who were not just well off but
were the gentry of the age. The
families who had moved to present day Loudoun County were the leaders of the
Commonwealth and had money to spare.
They recognized their duty to help those less fortunate than they
were. They had read their Bibles and
knew the scriptures. Since that time,
we have been the benefactors of their response to Jesus’ calling to them to
help the poor, captives, blind and oppressed.
By
1764, the Goose Creek Chapel was continuing to grow and was prospering. With support from the Carters to the south,
the Lees to the east and the Masons to the north, the Parish coffers were
brimming. At this time, Thomas Lewis,
the Clerk of the Goose Creek and Mountain Chapels was being paid the princely
sum of 2400 pounds of tobacco to perform his duties. The support of those in need continued as well with the specific
mention of the Orphan Home created and supported by the parish in the western
section, near the Catoctin Mountains.
Later called the Poor House, it remained in use into the 1960s.
In
1774, the Loudoun Resolves, written by many of the leaders of Goose Creek
Chapel, were read from the steps of the Courthouse at George Town, located on
the same site as the present day Courthouse.
Through these Resolves, the leaders of newly established Shelburne
Parish were called to help the oppressed.
Many not only left their families to fight in the Revolutionary War, but
some were called to serve with the Continental Congress.
The
original St. James’ Church, located where the cemetery remains on Church
Street, did not appear until nearly eighty years after the seeds were planted
in 1733. At the beginning of the second
war with England, the new church was finally built. After several years of worshipping at the Presbyterian Church on
Market Street and offering services on the Court House steps, the people
finally had a church home, a base for their continuing work.
The
Overseers of the Poor gave way to funds being provided to the Diocese to assist
the poor children and widows. St.
James’ parishioners contributed heavily in the years between the War of 1812
and the Civil War.
During
the Civil War the parishioners of St. James’ provided medical care to passing
troops, but especially during and after the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. Further, because the Methodist and
Presbyterian churches were taken over as hospitals and a place to quarter
troops, St. James’ opened its doors for the purposes of holding services. When St. James’ was taken over as Officers
Quarters by the Union Army, services were then held at the Rectory on Cornwall
Street.
To be
continued...
From
Your Newcomers Committee
Our
next Newcomers’ coffee will be on Sunday, July 1, at 10:10 a.m. in the Janney
Parlor. Come if you are new, or even
feel new, and receive your St. James’ information/welcome packet.
A reminder to the rest of us: We are having numerous “guests” visiting
the church during the summer months (and some may become permanent
neighbors!) Don’t forget your good
hospitality skills— put on your best smile, extend a warm hand, and greet them
with a pleasant “welcome!” Do also encourage newcomers to stay after services
for refreshments and to attend our Newcomers’ Coffees (July 1 and August 5) at
10:00 a.m. in the Janney Parlor on the first Sunday of each month. Have a great summer!
St. James' Day Celebration! July 22 at 11:00
Pig Roast (Please note: the 9:00 & 11:15 service are combined at 10:00 that
day.) Volunteer for set-up and clean-up through the Church Office at
(703)777-1124.
Graduations: Six of St.
James' finest graduate from high school!
The following Acolytes will be graduating from High
School in June and we thank them for their commitment to this ministry.
7:45 Tyler
Pumphrey
9:00 Matt
Shankle
11:15 Stephen
Brannock
Tucker Moore
Jenny Riedel
Colin Tisdale
20s/30s
Group
The 20s/30s
group will gather at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 15, for a cookout at Darrin
Myers’ house. Darrin is providing everything, so just bring yourself… and a
friend! You can sign up using our group e-vite or with Pastor Mary.
EfM
Did you know… that Modernism and Modernity (which encourage an
interdisciplinary approach to study, linking such things as visual arts,
literature, music, and history) have shaped theological and philosophical
discussions since the mid-1800s through today? In Education for Ministry (EfM),
we’ve discussed how Modernist philosophers and theologians influenced what we
think today, and developed or enhanced our own methodology for theological
understanding. Contact Alecia Moroz at the Church Office at
(703)777-1124 for information on EfM.
Solar Light for Africa
Solar Light for Africa needs several families to
provide overnight accommodations for their youth mission team on the evening of
July 11, 2007. The youth and their
leaders will depart Dulles Airport on July 12 and will return July 28. No meals are needed, just beds! Contact Carol Hathaway at the Church
Office at (703)777-1124.
The following letter was received from Andrew Ssekyewa, a university
student in Uganda who is supported by St. James’.
Dearest friend (a member of St. James’),
Hope you are alright and the family too. Send out my sincerest regards
to all. I am not bad but I have tried my best to phrase out my view about my
life background up to the present which all in all it has not been a good
experience for my education and life in general if it was not for the mercy of
God I would have been a pauper. I thank the St. James’ Episcopal Church for the
prayers and support both spiritually, morally and financially that has passed
on to me and even planning to forward on to me in future. May Almighty's mercy
be upon all the people in the church.
My education right from Junior level up to the University has been a
struggle with problems of school tuition, school requirements, say for instance
the ongoing medical school practicals requirements, such as provision of
medical kits and practicals fee which were all provided by my friend who is
like family to me. If it was not for
him, I would not have reached this level of my education. I will always pray
and ask the Lord to bless him and his family. Whatsoever problem that comes my
way is solved by God who is always their for me.
The family I come from is poor because I am the only one who has been
able to study to this level and have suffered all the way through my education
and living most especially at school. Wherever I even think about the way of
life my family is living tears roll out from my eyes. I only request the Lord
to make a difference each day that comes by. So that the future becomes bright
for me and I help my family and the needy.
I am struggling hard after my studies as a doctor to start up a small
clinic so that I get the necessary experience and skills as a medical worker
which I will later develop into a hospital on the foundation of a charity
medical centre to help the needy in providing them with the medical facilities
because the death rate is high in my country due to lack of drugs, medical
centres and mobile outreach medical services to remote areas. So these are the
challenges that I will have to overcome as I fight and mind about improving the
health standards of the people of my country (Uganda) most especially in the
rural areas. This will be achieved through both by support from kind and caring
people and the will of God through the prayers of fellow brethrens.
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, thank you for the support, and may
God bless you and continue to bless you.
Kindest regards to all.
From Blessed S. Andrew
by
The Rev. Jeunée Cunningham
St. Gabriel’s, St. James’ daughter church, worships Sundays at 10:00
a.m. @ Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne
(703)779-3616 www.saintgabriels.net
WIZARDS AND
WONDERS!
A
Hero's Adventure with Harry Potter
St. Gabriel's
Vacation Bible School
July
30-August 3, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Join us for an intergenerational Vacation Bible School at Hogwarts!
(a.k.a., The National Conference Center in Lansdowne) We’ll spring off the
favorite story of Harry Potter to see how God calls us, marks us, equips us,
and helps us face even the most dangerous challenges through the
self-sacrificing love of Jesus so that we can become the disciples God created
us to be. Come experience Platform 9 3/4, a fun game of Quidditch, Professor
McGonagall’s Transformation Class, Owl Mail Delivery and more! Dinner included.
Mark your calendars and tell your friends! Registrations will be starting soon.
Contact vbs@saintgabriels.net and check out our website for more information as
it is available. www.saintgabriels.net.
Groovy
Worship
July 22,
10:00 a.m.
What do you get when you cross the Brady Bunch, “Stairway to Heaven” and
“My Sweet Lord”? That ‘70s Church! Wear your tie-dye and sandals and join St.
Gabriel’s at our 10:00 a.m. service on July 22 as we worship with the best ‘70s
music. If you would like to audition for the music team for that Sunday,
(a.k.a. St. Gabe’s version of the Partridge Family), please email our music
minister, Trace, at trace@saintgabriels.net.
Right on!
From the St. James’ Parish Register
Baptisms
Kate
Noelle Teague, daughter of David & Kara
Knute
Grant & Alexa Rose Bidne, children of Knute & Julie
Catherine
Mary Macoy, daughter of Ian & Kelly
Katrina
Grace Stoltz, daughter of Kenneth & Brenda
Catherine
Elizabeth Schroeder, daughter of William & Catherine
Ella
Nancy Tyrell, daughter of William & Jennifer
Jenna
Noelle Gould, daughter of James & Sylvia
Connor
Timothy Wilson, son of Mark & Michele
MaKenna
Erin & Kayden Brielle Cich, daughters of Ryan & Jennifer
Katherine
Grace Lewis, daughter of James & Rebecca
Marriages
Andrea
Courtney Aten & Shaun Patrick Kennedy
Funerals
Allan Raymond
New Members
Christine & William Kern
Girolamo
& Sheri Finazzo
Confirmations
Stephanie Lauren Allen Brantley Peter Kushner
Erin Frances Beck Michelle Hastings Garman
Brian Thomas Early William Robert Ohmer
Gary Roy Edelblute Elisabeth Florence Schott
Kathryn Turner Fisher Alyson Brooke Stevenson
Lisa Smith Hinchberger Brandon Michael Thorn
Madison Lorena Kelliher Susan Kathryn Wilson-Griner
Receptions
Sherri McWaters Anderson Sherry Taylor Macknight
Christine Anne Brogan Adam Edward Modzelesky
Dennis Matthew Brogan Barbara Ann Modzelesky
Judy Lynn Collins Hale Edward John Modzelesky
Thomas Judson Hale Joseph Darrin Myers
Bernice Maxine Havlicek Erin Suson Orben
Catherine Helena Hillis Jane Eva Havlicek Roth
Thomas Joseph Holdsworth Crystal Ann Shadwick
Christopher Anthony Michael Joseph Jack Kent Walton
Kathleen Mary Locraft
Reaffirmations
Debra Anne Byrne Alice Hoyt Lees Sherry
Walton
Celebrating Years of Discipleship at St. James’
We
salute the individuals in our parish who during each month celebrate more than
20 years of membership at St. James’.
Here are the parishioners with May and June anniversaries:
Fulton Want 59
years
Debbie Grimes 54
years
Jock Pumphrey 52
years
Marilyn Rust 41
years
Alf Dennis 35
years
Francis Fera 35
years
Bebe Green 34
years
Verne Critchfield 33 years
Barbara Grupe 33
years
Hubie Plaster 31
years
Mary Plaster 31
years
Sallie Vaaler 31
years
Mary Beth Grimes 29
years
Don Shorter 29
years
Beverly Horton 28
years
Toby Gomez 27
years
Rebekah Green 26
years
Linda Young 25
years
Terry Young 25
years
Lois Krumwiede 24
years
Trip Pumphrey 24
years
Maxine Bean 23
years
Carol Cunningham 23
years
Steve Cunningham 23
years
Juan Gomez 23
years
Jan Knight 23
years
Jessica Knight 23
years
Ric Knight 23
years
Jody Peebles 23
years
Kenneth Peebles 23
years
Barry Simpson 23
years
Anne Tiffany 23
years
Jim Tiffany 23
years
Judy Perso 22
years
Jeff Brannock 21
years
Sally Roberts 21
years
Kathryn Sands 21
years
BJ Webb 21
years
by
Dr. Pat Avery
I
am eleven weeks into the healing process for my shattered tibia. It has been a slow process because of all
the work the surgeon had to do to put it back together. During my last visit, I had x-rays, and that
showed the doctor that my healing is coming along. During my next visit at the end of June, he is hoping to see more
healing in the upper part of the bone where there had to be bone grafts.
At
this time, I am able to put a slight bit of weight – 30 lbs – on my injured
leg. So I am able to hobble a little
bit with the walker. I still move the
most in my wheel chair. If all
continues to go well, I hope to be able to continue to put more weight on my
leg and work up to 100 lbs by the first part of July. Then I can begin to learn how to do steps again.
I
talked to Dr. Cooksey and I told him I sure hope to be back on the organ bench
at St. James’ by the first part of August.
I have missed you all so much! I
miss being in worship and seeing the members of the Corner Chorale and
Children’s Choir. I am telling myself
that the longest part is behind me.
I
also want to say thank you to everyone that has helped fill in for me while I
have been gone - Dr. Cooksey, Rachel Newell, Robin Harris, and all the
others that I cannot name. It has taken
a joint effort to continue the music ministry.
I also want to thank everyone for their cards, prayers, food, and
visits. They have helped Daniel and me
so much. Two of my children’s choir
members even called and sang for me.
That was a real boost!
Last weekend – while you all were at Shrine Mont – We had our daughter’s wedding. It was absolutely wonderful! I will look forward to sha