Look Inside For... Treasuring Our Relationships. Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports Habitat for St. James. Page 3 Thank You s

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1 Volume 9, Issue 11 November 2017 Look Inside For... Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports Habitat for St. James Page 3 Thank You s Page 4 Blessing of the Animals Fellowship Opportunities Page 5 Youth Group Advent Event Page 6 God s Work Walk to Bethlehem UMOM Page 7 C FFA Adult Bible Classes Library News Page 8 Deacon s Corner First Fruits Blankets for Navajoland Acolyte Schedule Bishop s Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 15th 6:30 pm Treasuring Our Relationships R emembering the important adage that we should never love anything that can t love us back, who (not what!) is the greatest treasure of your heart and life? How do you treat that person? Or in other words, how does the way you feel about that person and their importance in your life shape and color your relationship with them? O ne of the most important ways that we treasure our relationships and reveal God s love is in giving of ourselves, or what we might also call investing our time in that relationship. Most children spell love as T.I.M.E. Having named the one(s) who are the greatest treasure of our heart, is there any incongruity between what we say and where we actually invest our time? I f we said that our relationship with God in Christ Jesus is the real treasure of our hearts, how does the use of our time to connect with God in prayer and worship, learn about God in the study of God s word, or simply spend time with God in meditation or reflection, represent the importance and priority of this relationship? If we said that our spouse/partner/family was the treasure of our hearts, the same question applies. Are we really investing our time in these vital relationships? T his month we c e l e b r a t e T h a n k s g i v i n g, w h i c h h a s become a time to think about all the people in our lives for whom we are grateful, including our deep gratitude to God in Christ Jesus for life itself. Perhaps it s also a time to think about how we live in ways that show how much we treasure all our relationships. Saying yes to God may mean reevaluating our free time and how we tend to fill it. Saying yes to our family may m e a n m a k i n g t h e commitment to always be home for supper together, and leaving the T.V. switched off for longer. There are lots of creative w a y s t o g r o w o u r relationships, which will, in turn greatly enrich our lives. A s we continue our walk to Bethlehem, why not find time to walk with someone you treasure in your heart. That can look like taking time to walk more intentionally with God, as well as giving of ourselves to spend time with a family member or a close friend. A t the end of our time on earth, the question we ll be faced with is how much we ve loved. As you know, love is only possible in relationship, as modeled by our understanding of God as the lover (Father), the beloved (Son), and the love that flows between them (Holy Spirit). Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he tells us to store up treasure in heaven. As we read in Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The most precious treasures are never found in material things that rust or can be stolen, but are deeply connected to building loving relationships. Love is never lost or stolen, but lives on for all eternity. F inally, I m giving thanks for all at St. James: for how we re living with faithful integrity, and growing our relationships in love. Susan +

2 Page 2 Treasurer s Update In looking at the YTD financials: We re doing a great job of managing expenses. We ve been blessed with continued gifts toward our Operating Reserve. Our net income is on track to be strongly positive at year end. Please let us know if you have questions, comments, etc. In Christ, January 1 through October 26, 2017 Actual YTD Operating Income $ 198,101 YTD Operating Expense $ 183,456 YTD Surplus / (Deficit) $ 14,645 YTD Diocesan Support $ 8,475 YTD Net Income $ 23,120 Ann Marie Bartholomew (abellamybartholomew@hotmail.com) and Mary Hovden (maryhovden@gmail.com) Co-Treasurers Budgeted $ 180,680 $ 184,091 $ -3,411 $ 8,609 $ 5,198 From the Senior Warden Sometimes going back to school has a special feeling. Deacon Robin and I just finished our first class. We are in the Best Skills, Best Churches: Training for the Original Nonprofit cohort program developed by the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. This is the first time this program has been offered to Deacon and Lay Leaders and is the first of its kind in the country. Pastor Susan + participated in the program last year. After this first day, not only did I have confirmed much of what I have known about charitable nonprofits, but also realized there is so much more to learn. The best take away I have from the class so far is that churches like St. James should not be run like businesses or on a business model. They have to be run better if they are to grow and we are. At St. James, we are focused on reaching out to and serving God s children. Our continued growth is evidence that our hearts, time, talent and treasure are making a difference. Peace, Bob Klassen Habitat for St James Day Thanks everyone!!

3 Page 3 A Note from the Evening of Music Chairs: On Sunday, October 22nd we witnessed an incredible event called An Evening of Music. It only happened because all of our St James community came together and worked as one. We are blessed and honored to work with the best Christian Community in the whole world. We have never felt the work of the Holy Spirit so profoundly as it was in evidence on that evening. All the generous donations, all the hard work put into the preparation in so many ways, you are incredible. Thank you is not enough to say but we know no other words than we love each and every one of you for doing the work God has given us to do. In Christ, Jill Leatherman Chair Thanks from St. James: A huge THANK YOU to everyone at St. James. There were way too many parishioners involved to name everyone, but The Evening of Music was a marvelous success because of all of you, under the direction of Jill Leatherman, who came together to make the evening such a grand event. It seems as if every member of St. James did or contributed something. WOW.you all are so wonderful. Habitat for St. James Day: With THANKS TO ALL who gave of their time, talent and treasure to clean-up, clear-out and beautify the church on Habitat for St. James Day. Love the Episcopal Red front doors!!!! Special thanks go to Tara Papaccio, for organizing the event and to Janet Hermstein, Denise Boyd, Marcia Wright, Mary Lou Edwards, Eileen Flock, Kevin Flock, Jim Disney, Steve Wilmot, Susan Wilmot, Mia Papaccio, Ayden Papaccio, Chris Papaccio, Carol Justice, Carol Paulk, Anne Marie Bartholomew and Jon Schmitt for all the hard labor and to Larry and Ellie Kenyon for preparing lunch for the hungry workers. You all are the very best!!!!!!

4 Page 4 St Francis Celebration & Blessing of Animals Sunday, October 1st Let s do something a little different to start off the holiday season. On November 14th, we ll meet at 6:00pm for dinner at Garcia s Mexican Restaurant at Arizona Mills (entry 5). Then at 7:00pm we ll shop til we drop at Dress Barn (entry 5), and receive a 20% discount off regular priced items. Please join us for dinner & shopping or just dinner or just shopping. This is going to be lots of fun! RSVP by 11/8/17 by replying to Terri Beck, at terri.beck@aol.com. Dress Barn would like a count so they know whether to hire extra help. St James Bookies November s book is Their Lost Daughters by Joy Ellis. We will meet Sunday, November 26th, after the 10:30 service at Panera Bread, 1707 W. Warner. Bring book suggestions with you! Join Us for Lunch!! Thursday, November 16th 11:15 am Biscuit s 4623 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix (SW corner 48th & Elliot) Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. Maya Angelou

5 As a community we have been doing Angel Tree events for a few years now. In the past we had tried some things such as a party for the children and it has not been well attended. This year instead of having a party we are going to invite the families to attend the 10:30 service on December 10th. (Mark your calendars!) I am hoping that some families will be able to join us for fellowship and coffee hour treats. Those families will then be able to pick up their gifts and a food box. We will be delivering gifts and food boxes to those families who are unable to attend, later that day. If you are able to help with the deliveries, please let me know. I am looking for 4 drivers to help with deliveries. I have baskets that are labeled in the back of the sanctuary- please place the food items in there. In lieu of a turkey this year I would like to provide the families with a different meat option. Pork loin is more affordable for us and it is easier for the families to store and cook. Below are some nonperishable items that will make a lovely addition to the food boxes. Thank you so much for all your help with Angel Tree. Page 5 3 Nonperishable items. Rice Beans (dried pinto beans or red beans) Canned vegetables Canned fruit Cereal (boxes or bags) Oatmeal Pasta Canned pasta sauce Upcoming dates: Godly Play: No Godly play on Sunday November 19th Practice Saturday, November 18th 6:00 to 8:00 pm Service Sunday, November 19th 10:30 service Treasure Hunters: EYC: November 19 th - We will shop for Angel Tree children November 19 th Eileen Flock The 12th (Somewhat) Annual St. James Advent Event & Greening of the Church Sunday, December 3, 2017 After the 10:30 service Come join your St. James family for food, crafts, music and fun! Lunch provided by the Hospitality Committee!

6 Page 6 Thank you all for returning your 2018 pledge cards. It s never too late to make that commitment. Your treasurers have been hard at work putting together the proposed budget for 2018, which will be approved by your Bishop s Committee before the Annual Meeting. This is an exciting time for St. James! We are ready to begin our goal of working to achieve parish status once again, and your generosity is making that a reality. One other exciting update: at this year s Diocesan Convention an important change was made to the Canon 15 and passed by vote. As a mission, we now only have to be self-supporting and pay our full mission share for ONE year (not two) before we are eligible to apply for parish status!!! This Canon change means that we can accelerate the fulfillment of our goal. To learn more, please plan to attend the Annual Meeting scheduled for Sunday, January 28, Together We Can Do It - Again! Walk to Bethlehem 14,930,000 Steps 7465 Miles 77 Days 1 Community Our walk to Bethlehem challenge is going great thanks to your amazing participation. Keep those mileage cards coming in or please feel free to your miles to diana@stjamestempe.org. We have already covered some interesting sites along the way, including passing through Houston and Florida, both of which were affected by hurricanes this year. Our route will also take us to other ravaged islands including Puerto Rico. Just because the hurricane damage is now old news, many of those hit the hardest are still struggling to get their lives back together. It s not too late to donate to Episcopal Relief & Development for hurricane relief. Thank you all for being a part of our walk to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph. As you know this is for ALL God s children of ALL ages. Remember, TOGETHER we can do it!! 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, November 10th. The Halle shelter is located at 3424 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ It s across the street from the main UMOM campus on Van Buren. 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.

7 Page 7 Christian Formation For All (CFFA) We will complete our study of Hunger in the Bible this month and look forward to our Advent study beginning on the first Sunday of December. Come and share your thoughts and insights between services each Sunday at 9:45am in the library/chapel. Studying God s Word is a vital part of our formation for living faithfully, and being empowered to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Susan + P.S. As we become physically healthier during our walk to Bethlehem, we also have lots of opportunities to grow and deepen in our spiritual walk with God in Christ Jesus. If you haven t picked up a meditation booklet as part of your walk to Bethlehem, there are still some available on the table under the sound booth in the sanctuary. Other CFFA Opportunities Youth Confirmation Classes is on Sunday November 5th after the 10:30 worship service in the Library/chapel. Please bring a brown bag lunch and your binders! Why We Do What We Do is the adult confirmation, reaffirmation and reception class for adults looking to learn more about the Episcopal faith tradition, and literally why we do what we do. Our next class is Sunday, November 12th after the 10:30 service. Centering Prayer for spiritual health is a wonderful spiritual discipline that increases our peace and focus, our sense of God s presence in our lives, and our ability to deal with life! All are welcome and invited! Centering Prayers is 3:15-3:45pm on Wednesday afternoons in the Sanctuary. Women in the Word, our Women s Bible Study group continue our study of the Gospel of Matthew. We meet in Room 5 of the preschool wing each Wednesday at 4:00 pm. Bring a friend! "Godly Play Spoken Here" Godly Play for children of all ages every Sunday in Room 4 at 9:45 am. Join us and experience the wonder! Women In the Word Wednesday s 4:00 pm Room 5 Thursday s 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Location TBA All Men Welcome! The bo om shelf in the library contains works of fic on. Check out our newest addi on... The Spanish Dancer by our very own Gene House.

8 Page 8 Have you noticed that two of us deacons seem to be getting older and less agile? You are right of course. I have been asking for over a decade just what a retired Deacon looks like! After all we are supposed to be about service and we are not paid. The difference? Retired deacons have no regularly assigned duties in the church Ha ha! So long as Susan + graciously schedules us to read the Gospel and prayers of the people we can be active clergy! Thank you. What a relief. We are honored to serve at St James. You have allowed us to be part of the family in service of caring, proclaiming, listening and loving. Community indeed. Blessings Dn. Pat (and Dn. Fritz too, of course) 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, November 5th! 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. Blankets For Navajoland Jim &Carrie McCullough are collecting blankets to take up to Navajoland again this year. Please bring new, wrapped (not white) blankets to church by Sunday, November 26th. Please bring standard bed sizes only. Jim will take them up north the first week of December. Acolyte Schedule for November 2017 DATE 8:30 am Service 10:30 am Service 2017 November 5 Barbara C = Allison BU = Dylan November 12 Pamela C = Pam H. BU = Aly November 19 Elliot/John B./ Simon C = Dylan BU = Pam H. November 26 Barbara C = Brandon BU = Pam H.