A ccording to Andy Weeks, presenter of The Magnetic Church, evangelism is everyone s

Transcription

1 Volume 7, Issue 10 October 2015 Look Inside For... Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports Page 3 Youth Group News UMOM Walk Page 4 Fellowship Opportunities SOS Page 5 Acolyte Schedule Blessing of the Animals Youth Service Living Compass Page 6 Educational Opportunities DVAM Page 7 Thank You s Monthly Outreach Page 8 An Evening of Music Page 9 Junior Warden s Report Deacon s Corner Page 10 Blanket Drive Library News Hospitality 101 = Evangelism! But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16) A ccording to Andy Weeks, presenter of The Magnetic Church, evangelism is everyone s ministry. He defines evangelism as the circularity of spiritual generosity otherwise known as Hospitality 101. Here then are some of Weeks practical steps to hospitality: invite non-believers to taste our faith; help them to become believers; encourage believers to become disciples through radical support in the community of faith; and inspire disciples to become evangelists that is to live and proclaim the faith. The Holy Spirit does the work, but we help by supporting the process through our worship in community. L et s look a little more closely at the each of these aspects of hospitality. The first question is: What does our faith taste like? Is it rich in tradition, distinctive, and consistent, or is it like the flavor of the month, or some mystery grab bag? All faith traditions have merits and drawbacks. Our Episcopal tradition is steeped in a rich history that gives us a distinctive flavor. Our faith is grounded in the staples of a Christian diet, like Scripture, tradition, reason and experience. We read, hear and study Scripture daily. Our faith traditions are shaped by great theologians and inspired communities. We don t check our brains at the door either coming in, or going out into the world. Centuries of experience have taught us that we share our faith anew with every generation. We are welcomed in community, fed and nourished in worship, scripture, prayer, and especially through the means of grace, our sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion. S o how do we help non-believers to become believers? By living our faith with integrity in word and deed. We re practical evangelists when we show up at hospital to visit with one of our own or one of our neighbors; when we proudly show up to walk for homeless families; when we share our faith by serving supper at the Watkins shelter; when we throw a party for the children of prisoners and hand over gifts and food boxes; or when we invite our next door neighbor to church. All that and much more! T he key to encouraging others to become disciples, means understanding that it s all about community. We gather together to share our ideas respectfully, listening to others, perhaps even agreeing to disagree, but all so we re constantly growing, and being transformed into Christ-likeness. The more time we spend together sharing and growing in community, the closer we come to God, and the more the Holy Spirit shapes us into disciples. Practicing our faith means participating in all aspects of community life in Christ. That in turn prepares us, or patterns us, to be disciples, and encourages others to follow Christ. A fter Jesus death and resurrection, the remaining eleven disciples radically increased their numbers over the weeks, months and years. What did they say and do that was so compelling to others? Their story is written for us in the books of the New Testament. In short, they shared the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone they met. We can all do the same today through our generous hospitality to friends and strangers alike. That s Hospitality 101! Susan +

2 Page 2 Financial Snapshot Our financial condition remains good. Income and expenditures are in balance. At first glance, it looks as though our y-t-d net surplus has shrunk from $13K last month to $11K now. This comes from the fact that we report on an accrual basis, and we ve recently posted some expenses that extend to year-end. Actual cash flow is fine. The table to the right does not include the sanctuary chair fund. Chairs are on order, and due here in Oct. We have collected and expended $10, There may be some minor miscellaneous expense remaining, but purchase of the new chairs has been fully covered by your gifts. Thank you. Treasurer s Report Year-To-Date through Sept. 26, 2015 Total Income $178, Total Expense $195, Sub-total Surplus / (Deficit) $17, Diocesan Support $28, Total Surplus / (Deficit) $11, Looking ahead to the 2016 budget, the more info the better. Thanks to all who have turned in offering cards. If you have not, it s never too late to provide information to the office. Please continue your generous support for St. James. Ways to make a financial contribution to St. James (Note that the web site link, & the FB link, allow you to set up scheduled donations): Check, or cash, in your personal envelope. Electronic giving: visit our web site: stjames.azdiocese.org Click on SimpleGive. On our FB page: Click the USE APP button Text an amount to (480) (1 st usage will ask for credit/debit card information.) McKee Lundberg Many of us have said it: The joy of home ownership. Usually we are saying it out of frustration because of an unexpected expense. I am right there with everyone else with this frustration. We had a water valve break inside a wall in our upstairs bathroom. Luckily this water leak was directly over the garage. Now comes the inconvenience of coordinating contractors and homeowners insurance so that repairs can begin. Oh, the joy of home ownership. When I think about my house problems, I realize how lucky I am that I can be inconvenienced like this. Participating in St. James outreach at the Watkins Emergency Shelter, I see many people who would love to be able to have the inconvenience of having a water leak in their own home. These are people just like me, but have had an unfortunate life crisis that resulted in the loss of their home. This is why this outreach ministry is so important. Part of the homeless solution is for the fortunate to see into the eyes and visit those affected. They are not a distant population in a bad part of town. They are people like us, many of whom have jobs, just seeking a safe shelter for themselves and their families. Peace, Bob Klassen From the Senior Warden At Your Service: Your Bishop s Committee Bishop s Committee Meeting Wednesday, October 21st 6:00 pm Bob Klassen (Bishop s Warden) Larry Kenyon (Junior Warden) McKee Lundberg (Treasurer) Gerry Carlston Carol Justice Al Larson Chris Papaccio Janie Studt

3 Page 3 Treasure Hunters is on Sunday, October11th 12pm-130pm. EYC has a new date of October 25th, 12pm-2pm (Stay tuned for for food sign up). News Happy October! As we are gearing up for a very busy season here at St. James there are plenty of opportunities to give back to the community. We have an ongoing once a month volunteer opportunity at the UMOM Watkins center for the homeless in downtown Phoenix. I would like the youth to embrace the opportunity to give back and I would like the youth to participate in this wonderful program. So thinking ahead, mark your calendars for January 8th. Meet at St James at 4:00 pm. We will leave from there and go to the Watkins shelter. This past weekend we had 13 members of St James at the UMOM Walk. I learned some great information while we were walking at the zoo that I wanted to share with you: During , 891 families received shelter 39% were children I hope to inspire more teens and children to come and participate in the zoo walk in the future. Eileen Flock Youth Ministry Youth Group UMOM Walk September 26, 2015

4 Page 4 Join Us for Lunch!! Thursday, October 22nd 11:15 am Biscuit s 4623 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix (SW corner 48th & Elliot) ivine iners Coming Soon! Get to know your spiritual family better through great food and fellowship. Be part of our Divine Diners dinner groups. Signup at church on Sunday and share the gift of hospitality with familiar friends and new friends from the St. James family. St James Bookies October s book is The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker. We will meet Sunday, October 25th, after the 10:30 service at The Paradise Bakery in the Chandler Pavilions, 940 N. 54th Street, Chandler, Sharing Ourselves Saturday Everyone s invited from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Come on by and enjoy each other's company, with lots of fun activities. Bring a dish to pass for a potluck! October 24th We are planning a Scrabble tournament and another chance to learn how to weave rugs!

5 Page 5 Acolyte Schedule for October 2015 DATE 8:30 am Service 10:30 am Service 2015 October 4 Pamela C= Dylan BU= Natasha October 11 Barbara C= Collin BU= Aly October 18 John B. C= Nyah BU=Pam H. October 25 Barbara C= Aly BU= Pam H. St Francis Celebration & Blessing of Animals Sunday, October 4th 5:00 pm on the Patio Potluck Supper to Follow!! we will celebrate the life of St Francis of Assisi, who was known for his love of all God s creatures. Come join us for an outdoor service on the Patio and please bring your pets, large or small, for a blessing! Please have your pet in a cage or on a leash. Sunday, October 4th 10:30 service Please let Dave Faymon know if you would like to participate. Rehearsal will be Saturday, October 3rd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Pizza and snacks provided! PARENT CLASS Sunday, October 4th

6 Page 6 Christian Formation For All CFFA!! We continue our journey into the Gospel of Mark in the library between worship services. Please be sure to pick up your copy of the Gospel of Mark workbook. It contains additional information, and weekly study questions that we ll discuss during our time together. We ll also have a weekly presentation to get the inside track on Mark s agenda and themes. The Gospel of Mark is the primary gospel for this year s weekly lectionary readings, so come and get a great spiritual workout with CFFA. Bible Study Wednesday s 4:00 pm in Room 5 Thursday s 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Room 4 All Men Welcome! October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Here s some history of how DVAM began: Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the "Day of Unity" held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence Celebrating those who have survived Connecting those who work to end violence These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today. In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence tollfree hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. - Adapted from the 1996 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Manual of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Where to find help: Search to find domestic violence programs in your area or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (SAFE).

7 Page 7 any thanks go to Eileen Flock for her continued efforts to beautify and improve the St. James facility. M Eileen was instrumental in getting all the old music out of the library, taking it to a friend to be recycled in a creative way, and has made many upgrades to rooms 4 and 5. e have a beautiful, new, set of china for our Dinner with the Pastor evenings thanks to Pam and Garry W Hollyfield. We are delighted to have place settings for 12 in a lovely Lennox pattern. It will be so nice to have a matching set of dishes on which to serve dinners with Pastor Susan and Steve. We hope to start up the dinners soon now that the summer is over, most everyone has returned from vacation and we are getting back into the swing of hospitality things again. A HUGE shout-out to our Kitchen Clean-up crew!!!!!!! Carol Paulk, Ruth Flinn, Steve Wilmot and Larry Kenyon have been keeping our kitchen tidy, organized and clean. The kitchen has never looked better nor have the freezer/refrigerators been more organized. Be sure and tell them thank you for the fantastic job they ve been doing. A special thanks to Barbara Bell and Rhonda Larson for organizing and all the folks who have been bringing the delicious food for our fellowship time every Sunday after the 8:30 and 10:30 services. Feel free to sign up on the back table to bring food any Sunday there is an opening. The remaining dates are: November 13 December 11 January 8 St. James Monthly Outreach to our hungry neighbors is at the UMOM Watkins St. Shelter. There are 10 spots available each month on the 2 nd Friday evening of the month for the St. James team to serve food to the women and families at the Watkins emergency shelter. Please sign up for our next service evening beginning at 5pm and ending about 6:00pm on Friday, October 9th. The Watkins shelter is located at: 1120 W. Watkins St. 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 sign up and can t come please arrange for a replacement. Serving with Pastor Susan + at the Watkins Shelter on September 11th: (L to R): Erica Niemoth, Carol Paulk, Devin Bowie, Tori Burton, Kim Gillespie, Randy Maughan and Bob Klassen. Taking the picture: Alicia Klassen

8 Page 8 2nd Annual Evening of Music Sunday, October 18 th 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm The program is set and features new, young & exciting performers in addition to returning talented musicians & singers from last year. On the Classical side the vocal & instrumental selections include: Minuet in G by Johann Sebastian Bach Aria & Chorus of the Priests from The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Concerto in G Major by Franz Joseph Haydn Fantasie for Viola by Johann Nepomuk Hummel Voice of Truth by Mark Hall & Stephan Curtis Chapman The Contemporary vocal & instrumental selections include: Traditional Jazz Standard Vocals - Ain't Misbehavin' & My Baby Just Cares for Me Folk/Rock vocals Long May You Run by Neil Young; Mexico by James Taylor; Every Grain of Sand by Bob Dylan Ragtime - The Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin plus another surprise piece Cajon Fiddling tunes French & Italian popular music, such as La Vien Rose by Edith Piaf In addition to the musical presentation, refreshments of wine, cheese, fruit, appetizers, & other assorted sparkling beverages will be served. Seating will be in an elegant Bistro style. This special event evening can be experienced for only a $10.00 donation per person. Your ticket includes 2 beverages and food. Additional beverages are a $3.00 donation each. Tickets for the event will be available in advance from Jill Leatherman, Rhonda Larson, Ellie Kenyon or Robin Hollis. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Think about reserving a table of 6 or 8 for you and your friends. You can assist in this wonderful fundraiser in a number of ways: Purchase tickets Distribute flyers to your family, friends, neighbors, and organizations to which you belong. A supply of flyers is located on the table in the narthex & on the credenza along the back wall Donate Silent Auction items. Helping hands for the event: Sign up sheets for helpers & food are located on the credenza along the back wall. Donations of: Cheese, fruit, crackers, breads, appetizers, quality wine ($5.00 a bottle & up), sparkling non alcoholic beverages. Loan of wine glasses, we are going for high class here. Please contact Jill Leatherman at (480) or nikman4444@gmail.com, or Rhonda Larson at (480) or allarson2710@msn.com, with any questions. God bless you all and let's make this another great & successful fundraiser for St James. Jill Leatherman & Rhonda Larson Co-chairs

9 Page 9 So Many Good Things are Happening at St. James! Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Gene House we will have new chairs for the sanctuary. The chairs are expected to arrive on or about October 5th. Our lovely memorial garden fountain is back in working order thanks to Christiaan & April Culbertson. Christiaan replaced the motor in the fountain and restored the fountain to the pristine condition that John Hermstein has always kept it. The flowers/plants at the altar, in the breezeway and in front of the church are being lovingly cared for by Bruce Solomon; your talents and efforts are greatly appreciated. Thank you Gene, Christian, April, John and Bruce. If you haven t noticed, there have been many improvements, large and small, to our church facility: new black floor molding has been installed in the kitchen and new thermostats with locks are being installed throughout the school wing in anticipation of successfully completing our negotiations with potential new preschool tenants. Several trees have been removed from behind the church as a safety factor. The trees were leaning and could, in a storm, fall on the buildings and/or horses behind our campus. Deacons in the World L ast June, Bishop Smith issued a Pastoral Letter outlining diakonia (service), the role of the deacons, and the call for all of us -- Bishop, Priests, Deacons, and Laity -- to recommit to our baptismal vows and to our call to service. The Deacons Council, on which I serve, has finalized the very first AZ Episcopal Diocese Deacons Handbook. We are excited to share this with everyone and look forward to Bishop Smith officially launching it at this year s Diocesan Convention. While the Pastoral Letter issued a call to serve and reaffirms the role deacons play in bringing the World to the Church and the Church to the World, we are all blessed with reason and tradition to serve others. Our new Archdeacon, The Venerable Sarah Getts, will be visiting all of the parishes in the diocese to further share and clarify the meaning of the Pastoral Letter and to share with congregations more about the roles and responsibilities of deacons. All 58 active deacons in our diocese own the role of truly being a deacon in the world. A s one of your deacons, I have continued to be active in Valley Interfaith Project and recently attended a clergy summit representative of all faith traditions including Jewish and Islamic. Our AZ Legislature is again looking to reduce healthcare benefits to those who cannot afford it. Clergy across the state and led by many of our own Episcopal Deacons have signed this letter and are asking all of our members to live our Baptismal Covenant. We are all servants especially to those who need our help. As Christians we all have a duty to answer the call and commit ourselves to ultimately act to seek and serve Christ in all persons. We can do this by actively contacting our legislators and continuing to let our voices be heard for those who cannot always speak for themselves. In this way we are all serving - diākonos meaning we are all serving God in the world, each in our own way. Blessings, Deacon Robin

10 Navajoland Blanket Ministry Page 10 ach year for the last 10 years, St. James has collected and delivered blankets for the people of Navajoland. This E month we take a closer look at the faces of this ministry, and the passion behind sharing God s blessings with others. And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' - Matthew 25:38, 40 he coordinator for the blanket ministry is Dottie Kohler, a member of St. Mary s-in-the Moonlight in T Navajoland. Dottie began this ministry 10 years ago, and is passionate about it because she s passionate about caring for her Navajo family. It s cold up at the 7,000+ elevation and everyone deserves to be able to stay warm, especially when most homes don t have central heating. Over the years, people in Oljato have learned to look forward to receiving a new warm blanket. What a gift to see the smiles of gratitude on the faces of our Navajo brothers and sisters leaving church on Christmas Eve. Here are some pictures of the wonderful people that we serve through the blanket ministry. arrie and Jim McCullough have been coordinating the annual blanket drive at St. C James for 6 years, and are thrilled by the response that they get from our St. James family. This year, we also collected blankets for our Vacation Bible School outreach project hopefully adding to the wonderful pile of blankets that we can share with our Navajoland family. Thanks to everyone for being a part of this important ministry. Easter Dinner 2015 St Mary s in the Moonlight Mr. Bubba! Leanndra loves her new quilt! Disneyland is busy celebra ng the "Halloween Season," but we know the real reason for All-Hallows-Eve is All Saints Day. Check out Saints Galore from the church library and find out all sorts of facts you didn't know about your favorite saints. And, a new read-aloud family book has turned up on the shelves, The Other Wise Man. You may as well be the first on the block to start celebra ng Advent! Copies of Pastor Susan s latest articles, published in the Ahwatukee Foothills News and the East Valley Tribune, are available on the credenza on the south wall of the sanctuary.