November
19, 2007 Volume 31, No. 09
Inside
this Issue:
The next Loaves & Fishes
deadline is Monday, December 3, 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.
St. James’
Alternative Gift Market
Sunday, December 9 after all
three services
Avoid the chaos of the mall.
Finish your Christmas shopping
with gifts (at all price ranges) that benefit local, national and international
needs.
Purchase a meaningful gift for people on your list.
(St. Gabriel’s, our daughter
church, is holding an Alternative Gift Fair on December 1 & 2 at the
Founders Bank Building, 1 East Market Street in Historic Leesburg. Come shop here, at St. James’ on December 9,
or both!)
To
learn more about the St. James’ Alternative Gift Market, click here.
As my Vestry tenure,
along with that of my colleague Tom Smith, comes to a close next month, I would
like to turn your attention to the Vestry nomination and election process, and
encourage you to give your prayerful consideration to those who will be leading
us over the next years.
It is a tremendously
exciting time in the life of St. James’: the vitality of three distinctly
different worship experiences on Sunday morning…the energy in our children and
youth programs…the gifted preaching and teaching of our clergy…the outreach
programs that link hearts and hands across the street and around the world…the
development of a master plan for our historic facilities….and the comfort and
peace that comes from caring for each other in Christian community.
What role does the
Vestry play in helping all this happen?
According to canon
law in the Diocese of Virginia, the Vestry is charged with:
·
Electing the Rector
·
Cooperating with the Rector “in promoting the
spiritual welfare of his cure and assisting him in his Duties.”
·
Supporting the programs of the Church “through a
commitment to service and biblically-based standard of proportional giving.
Each Vestry member shall also continuously encourage the members of the
congregation to support the programs of the Church and to give generously
towards the support of those programs; and each Vestry member shall extend
personally a hearty welcome to newly baptized, confirmed, received, or
transferred members of the congregation.”
·
Ensuring that the Rector “is properly supported,
that his salary is paid in full and with regularity…annually reviewing the
compensation of its Rector in keeping with the published guidelines of the
Diocese; and making all necessary provision for Church music, with the advice
and consent of the Rector, and subject to his control.”
·
Determining the percentage of the parish’s
income that will be shared with the Diocese in support of Diocesan Programs
·
As the constituted agents of the Church, the
Vestry transacts all its temporal business, including overseeing its finances
and providing for its physical plant.
As Diane Pollard of the Diocese
of New York has written, “Vestries work as colleagues with the rector to
identify the strategic plan of the parish and the priorities needed to
implement objectives and define our congregations’ mission priorities.”
At St. James’, that includes
reviewing and “sticking to” our goals as identified in our parish profile as
well as ensuring that the clergy, staff and lay ministers have the resources
they need to carry out those goals. We also plan for future needs of the
parish, including the physical campus as well as the financial and programmatic
viability of the parish.
Most importantly: while Vestry
people are asked to bring their experience in the non-profit and business
worlds to bear on the “temporal business” of the church, they are, first and
foremost, called to both carry out their own baptismal covenant and help others
to live out their own promise. It involves faith and finances, discernment and
decision-making.
We will be electing four new
Vestry members at our annual meeting, slated for January 6, 2008. Prior to that
election, we will be meeting with those who feel called to service, helping
them discern their path, and providing information to the congregation about
their skills and interests.
If you hear this call – or if
someone you know might be a good candidate -- please let me know.
In faith,
Mary Frances Forcier
Senior Warden
2008
Annual Giving Campaign Update
by
Jan Joseph, Chair
The 2008 Annual Giving Campaign
concluded with the Victory Celebration at Ida Lee Recreation Center on Sunday,
October 28. As of Monday, November 19, 322
pledges have been received, for a total of $1,053,096. This represents the most successful campaign
to date!
We extend our sincere gratitude
to all those who turned in their pledge card in such a timely manner, and we
are grateful for the strong support you have shown to St. James’ and the
mission and ministries of the Church.
The Finance Committee and the Vestry will now have sufficient facts and
figures needed to set the 2008 annual operating budget prior to the end of the
fiscal year.
Thank you to the following Annual Giving Campaign committee members for their hard work and dedication throughout this year’s campaign: Ken Getty (Co-Chair), Maureen Cameron, Lisa Hinchberger, Val Kelliher, Patti Kushner, Martha Rombach, and Chuck Womack. And thanks also to this year’s reception hosts: Lisa & Stephen Krepich, Ann & Paul Reimers, and Fr. John & Mary Ohmer.
Caring for Those at St. James’ Who Care For
Others
by
the Rev. Kate Bryant
Interceding for those who in
need of prayer. Giving thanks through
prayer for the many blessings of this life.
Anointing people who seek wholeness and health. Bringing communion to those
who are home or hospital-bound.
Arranging receptions in the Parish Hall for friends and family members
after the funeral or memorial service for a loved one.
These are but a few of the many
moments in the day-to-day lives of members of the Healing, Intercessory Prayer
and Pastoral Associates ministries here at St. James’, many of whom serve
quietly and faithfully in powerful witness to what it means to live in
Christian community. To
live in obedience to Jesus’ commandment to “love one another as I have loved
you” (John 15:12). To truly care for another sensitively while respecting
people’s desire for confidentiality.
But how often are the members of
these ministries cared for themselves?
Healthy ministry involves our
embodiment of God’s grace through cultivating a spirituality that enables us to
be God’s healing, praying, and caring partners.
When our own intimate connection with God is fed and enriched, we bear
much fruit. Healthy ministry involves
being nourished, so that we can nourish each other, both figuratively and
literally.
To nourish members of the Healing, Intercessory Prayer, and Pastoral Associates ministries in word and sacrament beyond the Sunday worship experience, and to give them additional sustenance for the work God has given them to do, we’ve planned a special Saturday Eucharist for Saturday, January 12, at 1:00 p.m. The service will feature readings and prayers focused on healing, prayer and pastoral care. Before this service, a period of fellowship over a meal of hearty soup and crusty bread will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall.
This service and fellowship before the service are open to all who are interested in participating in these Pastoral Care ministries. If you are interesting in being part of the January 12 service and fellowship, please contact Rev. Kate at kate@stjamesleesburg.org.
Avoid the After Thanksgiving Shopping Madness! Spend your time at home with family and
watch the games. Then mark your calendar for the St. James’ Alternative Gift Market on Sunday, December 9, after all services. This year's fair will feature:
·
Animal sponsorship for needy families throughout
the world through Heifer Project International – organize your
office to buy a heifer for the boss
·
Solar electrification of homes, schools and
hospitals in Africa through Solar Light for Africa – organize
your office to electrify a school in your boss/ company’s name
·
Medical care for the needy our county through
the Loudoun Community Free Clinic – our neighbor down the street
· Teacher gifts through the Loudoun Literacy Council
Gifts are available in every
price range. So, make your list, check
it twice and join us on December 9 for a festive shopping experience.
St. James' will sponsor a winter Warming Tree benefiting The Good
Shepherd Alliance and the homeless in Loudoun County. Please help us decorate the Christmas tree in
the Parish Hall from December
2-16 with new mittens, hats and scarves for men, women and children of all ages. Homemade warming items are appreciated as
well. Feel free to safety pin a note of
warmth to the recipient of your gift.
The Holiday Coalition is dedicated to making
the holidays brighter for those in need and is celebrating its twelfth year in Loudoun County. At Christmas, families get to choose new toys
and clothing for their children and will receive a food box for their holiday
feast. Items are collected from
individuals, churches, businesses and civic organizations and are distributed
to those in need in a “shopping” atmosphere to
preserve the dignity of the people served.
The “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program
depends on volunteers to make the Holiday Store happen each year. Volunteers receive and sort donations, stock
shelves and assist with filling shopping lists.
Each year hundreds of part time volunteers work to make sure that children and adults in our community have a brighter
holiday. The volunteers are students,
business people, scouts, senior citizens, and friends... all who work side by
side to ensure that dreams and wishes are fulfilled. The visions in their heads aren’t of
sugarplums, but of, Barbies, Superman, Thomas the
Train, Elmo & Ernie, new outfits, holiday food fixings and more! From empty tables to tables overflowing with
gifts, the volunteers keep busy. For many volunteers, working at the Holiday Store has become part
of their own holiday tradition. It’s
exciting to see the volume of gifts coming in, being sorted and set up in a
department store atmosphere. Taking a client on a shopping trip through the
store can really warm the heart. The dignity of those shopping is evident. Helping needy families provides a rich
experience not only to those that receive, but also to those that give.
St. James’ is participating in the Holiday Coalition in
several ways this year:
·
Toy Drive — St. James’ Kids With Purpose
(KWP) will sponsor its second annual toy and clothing drive benefiting the
Holiday Coalition. Collections will take
place in the narthex beginning the Sunday after Thanksgiving and run through
the Alternative Gift Market on Sunday, December 9. New toys and outfits for children of every
age from infant through teen are needed.
Donations should not be wrapped as they will be utilized for the Holiday
Store where parents will shop for items on their children’s wish lists. Volunteers are needed to deliver the items
collected to the Holiday Coalition between noon and 4:00 p.m. on December 9. Families with children under the age of
14 may participate in delivering donations. Email KWP at kwp@aol.com to volunteer to deliver our St. James’
gifts.
· Volunteer at the Holiday Store — Volunteers who are 14-years-old or above are needed for hands-on help for the Holiday Coalition on Wednesday, December 12, from 6:00 -9:00 p.m. Volunteers will be sorting items and assisting in the “shopping" process. Spanish is valuable, but certainly not necessary. For more information on this enriching experience, please contact Kimberly Haeringer through the Church Office at (703)777-1124.
Once again the
Altar Guild is accepting memorial donations for poinsettias to decorate the
church during the Christmas season. If you are interested, please complete this
form and return to the church by mail or by placing it in the offering plate no later than 9:00 a.m. on Monday,
December 17,
along with your check marked “Poinsettia.”
Given by:
Phone:
In memory of:
In honor of:
In celebration
of:
Fall Clean-Up Day a Huge Success
Many thanks to the following parishioners who helped make our Fall Clean Up Day a huge success: Jon Aycock; Bills Brooks; Mike Carren; Colin & Rob Chapman; Sheri & Sam Dennis; Big Brad, Pat, Temple & Brad Douglas; Gary Edelblute; Ken Getty; Robin Harris; Bruce Holland; Mary Kay Kenyon; Page, Susan, & Richard Moffett; Paul & Brittany Padgett: Clark Ragsdale; Jane Roth; Tom Smith; Paul White; John Yanekian; Laura & Steven Young; and the entire Macchiarolo family -- Joy, Chris, Rachel, Sophia & Nicholas. Coffee, pastries, fellowship, and hard work ruled the day.
Beginning The Christian Journey
Have you had little or no experience of church since childhood? Have you been “out of the faith” for a while? Do you simply want to learn (or re-learn) the basics of Christian life and practice? Then our “Beginning the Christian Journey” class is for you. This three-part class, which will be taught by Fr. John and Rev. Kate, is an excellent introduction (or re-introduction) to the basics of Christian faith and practice.