May, 2014 NEWSLETTER St. James Episcopal Church Amesbury

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1 May, 2014 NEWSLETTER St. James Episcopal Church Amesbury IN THIS ISSUE Sr. Warden Message Reflections from Rev. Dee Vestry Meeting Craft Night Family Camp 2014 Christian Education YLA Fundraiser Women of Faith Our Neighbors' Table Jonquils in St. James Garden A Message from your Senior Warden, Joan Miller. Dear Friends, On Palm Sunday Rev. Dee blessed the Parish Profile lovingly and prayerfully created by the parish Search Committee under the leadership of co-chairs Cindy Janik and Jenn Sanborn. This is a primary document for clergy candidates

2 considering a rector position at St. James. If you haven't yet seen the Profile, I invite you to take a look at it on our website: This Profile helps us celebrate what a wonderful place St. James really is. It is a great time to highlight what an outstanding Search Committee we have been blessed with. This is the people's document - we, the people of St. James. The Search Committee did an amazing job compiling our responses to the Appreciative Inquiry to reflect who we truly are and who we want to be going forward. Now, I have sad news and glad news to share with you. First, the sad - Rev. Dee will be leaving us on June 22nd. There are no words for what she has meant to me personally, but most of all for what she has meant to all of the people of St. James during this time of transition. We want to express our gratitude to her for hanging with us while we have been wandering in the wilderness for the past year! Before Rev. Dee's official departure, we will celebrate her presence with us and our best wishes for her as she transitions into "real" retirement with her husband, Jim, on their boat Fintry! More info to come soon! At this time, I am pleased to let you know that The Rev. Christen Frothingham has agreed to be with us during the summer months of July and August. We

3 are grateful to Rev. Christen for "filling in," and it is comforting for us to welcome someone we already know. The glad news is truly exciting news in fact! We will have a new rector as we begin anew in the fall! THANKS BE TO GOD! Joan Saying Good-bye - The Gospels of Easter Friends,

4 I have been looking ahead toward the Gospels we will be sharing between Easter and Trinity Sunday. For me that means: "between Easter and God be with you." I consider Jesus, who, before his Easter Passion, talked also about his leaving. He was clear that he would be going. He used the time well, to teach his friends, and he loved them as well as he could while he walked among them. Scripture says, "He loved them to the end." And he prayed for them - deep and hard. I hope we have done some of that. I know that you have been clear and faithful friends for me and I have learned much from you and I certainly know that we have prayed. We have also walked together. There have been picnics in the sun, walks in the rain, and, God knows, plenty of shared snow. We have married, baptized and buried. We have endured crucifixion and we have celebrated resurrection. We have even gone bowling. But now we look to the end-game. I'm searching through the stories of the Easter

5 season for what remains and for what we can learn. These stories are a gift and a grace. I am sure they will shed light on the blessings that endure when loving and committed relationships change. They will help us understand how we live into that which endures - often a wisdom that is deeper and love that is clearer and a purpose that is strong and courageous. So let us join together for these wonderful Easter gospel Sundays. We begin on the road to Emmaus where we will break bread together. It is a good way to begin to end. Let us see what more we can discover before our summer paths part. Alleluia, Rev. Dee May Vestry Meeting

6 Your Vestry will meet on Tuesday, May 13th at 7pm in the Nickerson Library. All are invited to attend any of our meetings, where we reflect and take action upon the many important aspects of Parish life.

7 May Crafting at St. James Please join us for Craft Night on Monday, May 12th and Tuesday, May 27th starting at 6:30pm. These gatherings are "come as you are" events - no talent necessary, no need to bring supplies, drop in when you can and leave when you need to. Bring your dinner and eat with us! We chat, laugh and work together on a variety of craft items which will be sold at the annual Church Fair. If you have a craft, bring it if you wish. Everyone is invited, so bring a friend (or two) with you if you can. Questions? Comments? Can't make it that night, but want to make sure you don't miss out on future Craft Night? Please contact Fair Committee Co-Chairs Dawn Schmidt (Dawn Schmidt) and Liz Iacobucci (Liz Iacobucci).

8 Please also fill out our "Doodle poll" about what days/times you can join us for future Craft Nights. Click here for the "Doodle Poll Family Camp Registrations are now being accepted at the Barbara C. Harris Camp for the Diocesan Family Camp, June 26-29, This year's theme, Jump in, the Water is Fine: An Invitation to the Baptismal Life, will help us learn ways to live out our faith in our families. Camp fills up quickly so be sure to register quickly. If families share a cabin, there is a

9 price reduction! Click here: FAMILY CAMP 2014, to register on-line or to obtain more information. Christian Education In the spirit of "Season of Service Celebration," the youth put together ten "Teen" Easter baskets to support ONT. Thank you all for your generous donations towards making this project possible. To continue the "Season of Service Celebration" our youth will be collecting "change" to buy animals for Heifer International. By supporting

10 this program we are helping end hunger and poverty. A labeled jar will be located in the parish hall and in the classrooms. Easter Vigil at Trinity Church in Haverhill with the LMVC was a big hit! Over twenty-five adults and children from St. James attended. Kim Potts and her students performed the skit to "Noah's Ark." The YLA students would like to thank everyone for all your support! Feel free to ask them about their projects, fundraising and upcoming mission trip. Bottle & Can Drive Fundraiser for the St. James Youth Leadership Academy Participants

11 Help out the St. James Youth Leadership Academy participants raise funds for their mission trip to El Salvador by donating your REDEEMABLE bottles and cans. To donate, simply drop them off at the collection box in the Parish Hall or give them to Dan Bennett, Jilleen Collins or Mariana Sanborn. We are funding this fundraiser until June, so please bring in your returnable bottles and cans every week! What to donate Five cent redeemable cans Five cent redeemable bottles (no crushed cans please) What not to donate Non-redeemable bottles Non-redeemable cans Water bottles. Thank You For Your Support!

12 The Women of Faith will resume in the Fall of Joan Augusta will lead the group and is considering a new format. Possibility of reading the book: Paul - A Man of Grace and Grit, by Charles R. Swindoll. Meetings may be held on Wednesday evenings. More details to follow. If you have any questions, please contact the office at May Food Donations

13 During the month of May, ONT asked for donations of cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter and baked beans! Also, personal items such as deodorant, mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc., are always in need. To check out ONT's website - click here. Let us give thanks for God's many blessings to us. QUICK LINKS St. James Website! Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Send us an Blessings and Peace to All! The Rev. Deborah Woodward