Look Inside For... Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports. Page 3 Children & Family Ministries Fellowship Opportunities

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1 Volume 11, Issue 2 February 2019 Look Inside For... Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports Page 3 Children & Family Ministries Fellowship Opportunities Page 4 Journey to Jerusalem At The Capitol Page 5 7th Annual Ladies Tea Annual Meeting Page 6 Thank You s Acolyte Schedule Page 7 C FFA Adult Bible Classes African American Saints Why We Do What We Do Page 8 Lent to Lent Bible 2019 Lenten Study Page 9 Refugee Ministries Outreach Ministries Page 10 Deacon s Corner Art in the Park Taizé Palm Crosses N ot Groundhog Day so long ago, Steve and I watched the movie Groundhog Day again. It s a fascinating look at one man s transformation from self-centeredness and arrogance to selfless service and concomitant capacity and ability to love others unconditionally. Our protagonist also learns some valuable lessons along his journey, like the fact that he can t save everyone, nor can he fix others either. It s my story and yours. We may not live it out in the fiction of endless repeats of the same day, but God is undoubtedly at work in our lives making the same miraculous transformation so that we too can love and serve the Lord as well as our neighbors. P hilosopher and novelist, George Santayana, taught us that if we don t learn the lessons of history, then we re doomed to repeat them. As we read in the pages of Scripture, the Israelites struggled to learn the lessons of faithful living and repeatedly endured God s judgment. We re still in the season after Epiphany, a season of revelation and light. We aren t that much different from the Israelites. We still make many mistakes and struggle to learn important life lessons. So this month we re going to reflect on what areas of our lives are still closed to God s redeeming grace and love? These are the groundhog day moments of our lives, when we recognize a familiar pattern of willful behavior or reactivity. It s like we re living something over and over again, even if the details aren t quite the same! T hen there s the question of the areas of our lives in which we need to shine a light of healing or forgiveness and lose any residual guilt and shame. These are the times in our lives when we remember that we can t change the past, but we can change how we live in the present and move into the future. Guilt and shame can be healed. We call it the process of repentance. In faith, we are forgiven for all our sins, but we also seek God s help to change the way we live in the present, and therefore going into the future. By God s grace, we can let go of our guilt and shame, recognizing that nothing we can do or say can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. We also need to remember that we can be our own worst critics. Be gentle with yourself; it s good practice for how we re called to treat others. As Paul writes in Romans 8:31-35, 37-39: What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. O ur transformation continues as we live and grow into the Light of Christ and learn more about God s ways and God s will for our lives, not just as an intellectual pursuit, but as a way to live our faith boldly in every aspect of life. Let s be on the lookout for those groundhog day moments and let the Lord guide us into any necessary change for our spiritual health and growth. Blessings! Susan +

2 Page 2 Treasurer s Update Thanks to you we ve started out 2019 in the black. This is a great start on our journey to becoming a parish at the Diocesan Convention this fall! As always, please let me know if you have questions or concerns! January 1 through Janaury 30, 2019 Actual Budgeted YTD Operating Income $ 19,721 $ 19,383 YTD Operating Expense $ 17,092 $ 20,916 YTD Surplus / (Deficit) $ 2,629 $ -1,527 Gerry Carlston (pgcarlston@cox.net) Treasurer From the Senior Warden Yesterday s Annual Meeting was exciting to say the least. All one has to do is look at our history since 2005 to see that we have not only weathered, but we have also successfully navigated every storm to a positive ending. As Gerry indicated in the Treasurers report presentation, we have for the first time been able to pay our entire Mission Share and improve our financial stability. This is all because of the dedication by everyone to St. James. Pastor Susan +, spoke for the entire Bishop s Committee when she expressed excitement for beginning the application process to move from being a mission church to that of a parish. If you did not get a chance to sign the application petition, there is still time to do so. When Cannon to the Ordinary, Rev. Megan Traquair + last visited, she told me that St. James has that special It factor. We just proved it. Thank you. Peace, Bob Klassen We are beginning our journey to Jerusalem. This is a time of beautiful weather and a great time to go out and experience this beautiful island home given to us by our Creator. May I suggest a very prayerful way of getting steps in - take a journey using our Labyrinth. As your Warden, I want to be responsive to your suggestions and concerns regarding the physical structure of St. James. I cannot address issues if I don t know about them, so please feel free to contact me at my address (queenbead1130@gmail.com), by phone ( ) or talk to me directly when you see me at Church. Junior Warden Report Denise Boyd At Your Service: Your Bishop s Committee Annual Meeting Congratulations Congratulations to our newest Bishop Committee member: Joan Besonen, and returning members Larry Kenyon and Bob Klassen, who were duly elected at the Annual Meeting. We are all grateful for your service to God and St. James. Congratulations to our elected delegates to Convention: Carol Justice, Joan Besonen, and Erica Niemoth. Barbara Bell, Bob Klassen (Bishop s Warden) Denise Boyd (Junior Warden) Gerry Carlston (Treasurer) Ann Marie Bellamy-Bartholomew Joan Besonen Mary Hovden Larry Kenyon Tara Papaccio Bishop s Committee Meeting Thursday, February 7th 10:30 am

3 Page 3 Before we know it, the school will be over, and summer will be upon us. So, I am looking forward to VBS 2019 this year - our theme is Roar. Mark your calendars, VBS week is June We will be hosting some work parties to create some fun props to enhance each area of the VBS set. VBS work days for February: Saturday, February 9th 3 pm - 5 pm Saturday, February 16th 4 pm - 6 pm Cutting out animal silhouettes Making grass for the savannah Looking forward to our February activities: February 16th Youth Service Practice 6 pm - 8pm February 17th Youth Service/Scout Sunday 10:15 am - 11:45am February 17th EYC and Treasure Hunter s 12 pm - 2 pm We will be having sandwiches and chips for lunch. (I will get these items.) If you can help with lunch, please let me know if you can bring the following items: Drinks (tea/lemonade), dessert, veggies and fruit Eileen Flock eflock@cox.net (480) Tuesday, February 12th 6:00 pm Cheddar s Scratch Kitchen 2530 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler If you haven't come before or not in a long time please join us for a fun evening of food and fellowship. Hope to see you there. And bring a friend! Join Us for Lunch!! Thursday, February 28th 11:30 am Biscuit s 4623 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix (SW corner 48th & Elliot) St James Bookies February s book is The Giver by Lois Lowry. We will meet Sunday, February 24th, after the 10:30 service at Panera Bread, 1707 W. Warner.

4 Page 4 Our Journey to Jerusalem began on January 27th. Thanks to everyone for participating. Please remember that every mile helps, so even if you only have a few steps or miles to submit, that s great! You can still find copies of the accompanying weekly meditations for our 12 week Journey to Jerusalem on the glass table under the sound booth. As we grow in Christ, we also experience healthy growth in body, mind and spirit. Caring for ourselves is paramount to caring for others, so join us on the Journey! Meanwhile, down at the Capitol... Senator Bowie & Susan +

5 You Are Cordially invited to the 7th Annual St. James Ladies Tea Page 5 Date: May 4, 2019 Time: We Will Serve: Cost: 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Delightful Tea Sandwiches, Dainty Desserts & Delicious Tea $15.00 per person New this year: Silent Auction of an amazing one-of-a-kind handmade doll house. It truly is an amazing replica that any girl (young or old) would love to have in their home! Our Fancy Hat Contest returns! A winner will be chosen from each table and then compete to win a fantastic grand prize! Tickets will go on sale soon. Space is limited so reserve your table early! Below are the some of the baskets that Eileen is looking to create for the raffle. (She would gladly accept gift cards to purchase any of the following items for the baskets): Chocolate Basket Succulent Basket Tea Basket Cookie/Baking Basket Book Basket BBQ basket Movie Basket Car Care basket Wine Basket Picnic basket Spa Basket Bar Basket Martini Basket Gift card basket Memories Basket If you missed the Annual Meeting, you missed a LOT... We will soon be filing a formal application to the Diocese to be considered for Parish status. Part of the requirements for approval include proving that we have a minimum of 50 members. We realize that becoming a Parish again after so many years is close to the hearts of many of our members who perhaps could not be present at our Annual Meeting. Those in attendance at the Annual Meeting got to sign the petition first, and even though we already have more than 50 signatures, we want EVERYONE to have the chance to participate in supporting our application. So join us at worship on Sunday and make your mark for a historical moment in the life of our faith community here at St. James!

6 Page 6 A shout out to Eileen and Kevin Flock for organizing, supervising, and providing a safe, fun place for our church kids at the Lock -In on December 31st/January 1st. Eileen and Kevin, you re the best. A special note of gratitude to all who attended and brought food for the Annual Meeting and thanks to Mary Hovden, Jack Hovden, Kim Gillespie, Randy Maughan, Janet Oatfield, Larry Kenyon, and Ellie Kenyon for the ham, the rolls, setting up, and cleaning up from the event. It takes many hands to make a successful event. I would like to take a moment of personal privilege to thank Pastor Susan and all of you in the congregation for the very thoughtful retirement gift you gave me as I stepped down after five years as Hospitality Chair. I would be remiss if I didn t say, none of what I did or what the Hospitality Team does could be done without the support of so many of you. First of all, to Mary Hovden who has been with me for about three years, she has stepped in and stepped up to help in so many ways, for Shrove Tuesday, the Ladies Tea, at funerals, for receptions and Annual Meetings and so many other events. She is such a great support, willing worker and great organizer. And to Kim Gillespie who joined the Team about a year ago and to Vicki Harris and Janet Oatfield who recently said yes to the call to join Hospitality, I am so grateful to the three of you. These women are a true pleasure with whom to work, they are so cooperative, eager to do, and they each have such loving and giving spirits. There was never a time that I asked, that someone didn t step up and say YES and that goes for so many of you in the church, too. I have never worked with so many supportive people who are always willing to give of their time, talent or treasure. Thank you all for my gift, for your support and for allowing me to serve you as Hospitality Chair these past years. Lovingly, Ellie Kenyon "History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future." -- Robert Penn Warren Acolyte Schedule for February 2019 DATE 8:30 am Service 10:30 am Service 2019 February 3 Barbara C = Allison BU=Collin February 10 Pam C = Collin BU=Allison February 17 Elliot C = Dylan (Youth Service) February 24 Pam C = Brandon BU = Dylan

7 Page 7 Christian Formation For All (CFFA) We resume our study of Journey s with Jesus in the Bible this month in the library between services at 9:45 am. This month we have breakfast with Jesus and hear about Peter s special commission. We learn about the Great Commission, and hear about Saul s encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus. Our journey continues and all are welcome! On Sunday, February 24 th we will begin our new study continuing with the theme of journeys, including our own. The new study is Journey s with Paul. Come and see how Paul grows the church and expands God s love and grace in the world by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Come and hear how Paul struggles against non-believers, the church itself, and those who seek to silence his voice, because he is making such a difference for God in the world. Susan + Other CFFA Opportunities Centering Prayer for spiritual health provides a way to experience God s presence in our lives, and equips us to live faithfully and in the abundance of God s love. All are welcome and invited! Centering prayer is 3:15-3:45 pm on Wednesday afternoons in the sanctuary. Women in the Word, our Women s Bible Study group, continues our study of key Bible stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. We meet at 4:00 pm on Wednesday afternoons in the sanctuary. All women are welcome! Men s Bible Study meets every Thursday at the home of Deacon Fritz Huls (2620 N. 68th Street, Building 7, Apt. 103, Scottsdale, 85257) at 6:30 pm. All men welcome! African-American Saints of the Episcopal Church In honor of African-American History Month we will offer a series about the life and ministries of African-American saints that we celebrate throughout the year in the Episcopal Church. Look for the posters on the south wall of the sanctuary and learn all about some amazing saints and their passion for the Lord! Why We Do What We Do! If you are interested in learning more about the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, our traditions and beliefs and way of worship, then please come to the Why We Do What We Do. Our class continues on Sunday, February 10th after the 10:30 worship service in the library.

8 Page 8 The Lent-to-Lent Bible Challenge Continues... We re nearly there, so don t give up now! This month s reflection questions are focused on the readings from January, where we turned in our Hebrew Scriptures to the lesser prophets (Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah) for some hard hitting facts of life about living faithfully. In the New Testament readings we continued our re-reading of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Finally, we rounded out the month with some more beautiful psalms. If your New Year s resolutions are falling by the wayside about now, don t let reading the Scriptures fall with them. This is a life-changing journey through the Bible! Amos is a shepherd and fruit farmer rather than a professional prophet, but he was available to God and spoke truth to the people of Israel about God s judgment for their faithless behavior. What s our primary recourse with God for the times when we fail to live as we should? (See Amos 5). What does Amos have to say about pride? Why is our pride still a problem today? (See Amos 6) Obadiah is a short book. What does it still teach us today about God s steadfast faithfulness? The book of the prophet Jonah is a fascinating look at how God works will all kinds of people, even reluctant prophets. In what ways have you resisted the Lord this month? When Jonah finds himself in distress and danger, he prays to the Lord. When have you turned to the Lord in this way? How did God answer your prayers? Arguably the most famous lines from the prophet Micah are found at 6:8. How do you live out this commandment in your own life? While Jonah resisted God s call to preach repentance to the Ninevites, we now see God s judgment on Nineveh in the writings of the prophet Nahum. Was Jonah right to resist? What does this passage tell us about God s sovereignty and God s timing. We have all experienced times when God seems absent in the face of evil or injustice. What does the prophet Habakkuk teach us about God s ways and God s will? How does the Lord redeem? Psalm 110 is also quoted by Jesus. What do we learn about David and Jesus from that psalm? In Psalm 116 the psalmist gives thanks to God for hearing his/her prayers. In vs we read, I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. What does it mean to you to fulfill your vows to the Lord? Meditate with Psalm 131 every day this month. How did the experience change you? Matthew 13 relates the parable of the sower. How do you see the principles of this parable in your life and the lives of others today? Why does Herod acquiesce to the request of his wife s daughter to have John the Baptist beheaded? (Matthew 14:1-12) Mark 9 is the story of Jesus transfiguration. What does that story teach us about God? Jesus? and Jesus followers? Who is the cornerstone and why does it matter? (Mark 12) Susan Lenten Study: Finding Your Way Along the Camino de Santiago - a Pilgrimage Honoring St James Join us Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:15 pm for a soup supper and Lenten study beginning March 13th and ending April 10th. Your invited to walk in the way of St. James experiencing a very special pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. Join Dixie Lane and Don Oswald as they lead us through the inspirational spiritual awakening that comes from this experience. Mark your calendars now! More information and sign up sheet to come.

9 Page 9 Refugee Ministries We continue our support of refugees seeking legal asylum in the U.S. and living in difficult conditions at the border. Diapers are always welcome and needed, as well as personal care items like sanitary products, and underwear of all sizes. It is still cold, and so blankets, sleeping bags, warm coats and shoes are much appreciated. We now have several boxes in the back of the sanctuary labelled for your convenience. Please place items in the appropriate box. Monetary donations are also welcome. Please make checks payable to St. James and we will forward 100% of all donations to refugee ministries where the money will be used to purchase food and supplies for the refugees. Your help is much appreciated. Thanks for your support! Donation Collection/ Bagging and Tagging Instructions & Label Thank you for your continued generous donations for our Refugee Border Ministry. Special thanks to Ann Marie, Dixie, and Don for their efforts in helping with this ministry and getting us organized! Conditions continue and more refuges are on their way. Special Thank You to our own parish nurse Pat Maybee who had quietly helped to build the medical clinics and is spending her spare time ministering to those experiencing health issues along with fear and distress. Instructions for the Donations: In order to get the items to the correct sorting stations and to be respectful of the weight of the items for those who are picking up and transporting please follow these guidelines below for pre-sorting, bagging, and labeling the donations. There is a Basket Tool Kit on the back credenza with supplies to help with this and then place into the appropriate box. We ve been asked to keep the bags easy to handle so use kitchen size trash bags or plastic grocery bags since these items will need to be carried up 2 flights of steps. 1) Please put clean items in a kitchen size trash bag or smaller. (Extra trash size bags are in the basket). 2) Please tie off. Label the outside and tape it to the bag. (tape available in the basket) 3) Put into the appropriate marked sorting collection bin. If you would like to help with the preparing these contributions for transport to Tucson area, please sign up at the back table. More information will be provided. Questions: Contact Deacon Robin at robin.b.hollis@gmail.com or (480) Thank you! The greatness of community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace and a soul generated by love. -- Coretta Scott King First Fruits Sunday, February 3rd! We celebrate the first Sunday of each month as First Fruits Sunday. Thanks to all who already bring in non -perishable food items. Your gifts make a difference. This is a great way to put our faith into action, and to continue our Lord s mission to care for, and feed our hungry neighbors. St. James Monthly Outreach to our hungry neighbors is at the UMOM Halle Shelter. There are 7 spots available each month. Please sign up for our next service evening beginning at 5pm and ending about 6:00pm on Friday, February 8th. The Halle shelter is located at 3424 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ Anyone who is 13 years and up is welcome to be part of the team. Also, please remember that if you sign up you are committing to show up, otherwise we ll be short staffed. If you can t come please arrange for a replacement.

10 Page 10 Praying in Community There is no right formula for how to pray. While some only do it at pivotal times in their lives, many pray daily even in our cars! Talking to God as in a conversation, is one way to think of praying. It can be done in silence, aloud, singing or even in our actions. Each Sunday we pray together in community. The Prayers of the People are a time for us to offer our intercessions (our requests) as well as our thanksgivings. There is power in praying together. Our St. James Prayer Warriors offer prayers daily on behalf of those in need as well as prayers in blessing. Prayer can take many forms and one way to think on it is to remember ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7 (NRSV), Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. So, in the words of one writer, worry about nothing; pray about everything. Prayer allows us to remember we are not alone. We have the blessing of God through Jesus and the blessing of our Church family together in community. Blessings, Deacon Robin Art in the Park A Tempe Public Art project called Random Acts of Kindness... will be displayed at an Art in the Park event on April 6th, 4-8 pm, at nearby Goodwin Park. This project seeks to recognize the power of a simple, random act of kindness - and the success of the project relies on the citizens of Tempe! Community neighbors can participate by writing stories of kindnesses that have been bestowed upon them on prepared cards. These cards will then be displayed during the April event. Visitors can randomly choose a kindness card then pay it forward by performing an equal act of kindness for someone else. In preparation for April, join artist Ann Morton right here at St. James on Sunday, February 10th after both services for coffee hour so you can contribute your special story of kindness to the project. Last Year s Palms and Palm Crosses Candlelight Taizé Worship is a meditative, peaceful series of simple sung versicles, prayers, and a short reading. With life's fast pace, this experience will instill peace in any noisy heart. Our February Taizé service will be held on Wednesday, February 27th. We are once again collecting last year s palm crosses and palms so that I can burn them and make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. This is such a prayerful and holy time for me, and I hope you feel the love and prayers that go into the process when you receive your ashes on Ash Wednesday (March 6th this year!) Thanks for your help! Susan + Services on March 6th: 7:00 am 12:00 Noon 7:00 pm