St. James United Methodist Church Augusta, Georgia January 2018
The Rev. Thurman Norville Well, another year is over in the life of St. James. This past year has been met with some successes and some painful losses. We lost eight members of our church family this year. Ed Layman, Preston Barber, Harold Fields, Gary Melton, Harold Mock, Camilla Mock, Joan Hardwood, and Joan Gibbs passed away. Their memberships were transferred from St. James to their new heavenly church home. Their presence in our lives is missed, but their memory lives on in our hearts. We received into membership this past year Terry and Priscilla Ford, Samantha Barksdale, Gault Goldman, and Robert and Pam Harwood. We baptized three infants, Ava Grace Pearson, Oliver Dupree Park, and Brae Thomas Barber. St. James met all financial obligations in 2017, including the paying of our Conference Apportionments. The historical area is well under way to restoration. Thanks to a generous donor, a new HVAC system was installed in the area designated as the Historical Area. In addition to the HVAC system, the area is being renovated so the treasured historical artifacts and documents outlining the history of St. James can be appropriately displayed and maintained for years to come. The stained- glass window project is well under way. Phase 1 involved cleaning the inside windows and phase 2 consisted of repairing, painting and adding new window coverings on selected windows. Phase 3 will begin soon. The restoration and refurbishing of the stained-glass windows was a necessity. The value of the windows replacement is a million dollars. Insuring the windows are protected from outside elements is crucial to their longevity. We have received several generous donations from several individuals which has enabled us to pay for the phases 1 and 2. A capital campaign is currently under way to secure funding for the completion of the project. Our sound system was updated in the sanctuary and improvements were made in several locations. Raymond s Kitchen received a grant for the Council on Homelessness of the North Georgia Conference. These funds are utilized to help feed the homeless in the area. We also received a $1200 grant from Saint Paul s Church, as a partner in our benevolence program. Methodist Family Services, which operates out of St. James and serves families in crisis, touched the lives of 191 families, some 360 children, and disbursed more than $18,000 in funds. The preventive services offered via Family Services prevented families from being torn apart and separated. Thank you, St. James, for allowing Methodist Family Services to call St. James home. St. James hosted Family Promise twice in 2017. Without providing housing to the homeless families at St. James, these families would be on the street. The family of St. James also hosted the Easter and Christmas Breakfasts for many of Augusta s homeless and less fortunate. This tradition continues to be a blessing for many who are hungry and lonely on the Most High Holy Days of the year. We closed 2017 with a Christmas Eve Worship time that was moving and inspiring. A special thanks to the worship committee for decorating the church. Without Walter Harwood s musical talent, the service could not have happened. A deep gratitude of thanks to Marilyn Grau for putting the programs together. Last but not least, a very special thank you to Raymond Hookfin for making sure St. James functions each and every time the doors are open.
In 2018 we have much to do. Our budget has been set, and we need to continue to meet our obligations in ministry to God s Church. I ask all members to give generously in 2018 to the general budget of St. James. We have included in our budget projections for 2018, benevolence and several other line items that in previous years were not completely budgeted. Our projected budget for 2018 is $158,766.00. In 2018 we need to continue to grow our church membership, increase our Sunday School attendance, plan meaningful worship services, find new opportunities to serve our community, and continue to restore our physical plant. One important project for 2018 will be the updating of our nursery and children s area. If we don t have safe clean area for children, we will miss opportunities to draw young parents with children into the life of St. James. Once the Historic area is renovated, it will be my recommendation to the Trustees to move on the renovation of the children s area. So, we have some goals and much to do. We also need the commitment of our entire congregation to make our goals a reality and to grow the church. With God s blessings and our commitment, St. James will continue to be a witness in the downtown area. Please carefully consider your financial commitment to the church in 2018. Also dedicate more time to areas of church service in 2018. Most importantly, commit more time to Bible study and prayer in 2018. Together we can glorify God through our giving, our study, our service, and our prayer time. People often ask, Preacher, how do we grow? The answer is in the aforementioned words, dedication and commitment to serving God. In addition to projects completed around the church physical plant in 2017, St. James volunteers also put in hours of work to improve the church s lake property, celebrating with a parish picnic in August.
A new year, a new opportunity to make a difference-- All we have belongs to God. God asks for only 10% back, but when you see you can do more, do not hesitate to add whatever is needed to help others. There is no better feeling than to help someone and know it came from God. We have been blessed so much and want to share whenever possible with others. Seeing a smile on a person who was in need, and knowing that God provided us with the ability to produce that smile, really makes our day. And we want to make sure that person knows the blessing came from God. When you put God in your thoughts and actions, your day really takes on a new meaning. Serving God in all that we can is the highlight of the day. Joe & Helga It is a blessing and joy to give from the heart. The principle of first fruits giving allows God to have control of our finances rather than us. We are all recipients of God s love and grace. Our giving is a proper response to all that has been done for us. There is a freedom in giving that happens when we place our trust in God s provision for our lives. Milledge Murray
Learn Something New Every Day: Quick Quiz: How many readers are aware of the Remnant Class at St. James? The December Monitor described the curriculum of St. James two Sunday School classes--the Table (so named because the group gathers around a table), and the Parlor Class (used to identify the class that meets in the church parlor.) Since then your newsletter editor has learned that the class meeting in the parlor has a name--the Remnant. This name has actually been around for several years, but nobody really used it. Until the formation of The Table, it was simply known as The Sunday School Class. So how did they come up with this name? Remnant means that which remains of an original substance. We think of a remnant as the end of a bolt of cloth or roll of carpet. But the word also makes sense in this instance, considering that the class was formed when the remnants of two classes--the Emma Lester Class and the Men s Bible Class, came together several years ago. But the class also is aware that the name Remnant has a biblical precedence: In reference to God s people, Isaiah 1:9 says, Except the Lord of hosts had left us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Among people professing religious faith, the remnant was a very small minority. Romans 9:27 reads, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. That s not to compare the rest of St. James to Sodom and Gomorrah--mind you--but to stress the faithfulness of the few from these classes who chose to unite to keep their number viable. Today s Remnant class has three teachers: Chip Melton, Andrea Spano, and Milledge Murray; and they invite you to visit them any Sunday at 9:45 am in the church parlor.
DECEMBER 17, 2017 CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 25, 2017 Griffin Circle Party December 7 Photos by Andrea Spano
In December, a gift was given to the church in honor of Frank Toole by Jane Edmunds In December, gifts were given to the church in loving memory of Joan Harwood from : Betty Ley Elizabeth Pollock Lenora Bacon Lenora Bacon - 1/7 Melvis Reeves - 1/8 Christine Lamb - 1/9 Joyce Corley - 1/15 Brian Ellis - 1/18 Richard Isdell - 1/18 Kenneth Solt - 1/25 Albert Beveridge - 1/27 Helen Greer - 1/28 Joshua Hilburn - 1/31 Bill and Valerie Mundell - 1/5 A Birthday Prayer: O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. On December 10, Braye Thomas Barber was welcomed into the family of God through Holy Baptism. Braye is the son of Tom and Jenny Barber, and the grandson of the late Preston Barber. Braye is the fourth generation of the Barber family baptized at St. James. Photos by Andrea Spano
Whenever you do it to the least of these.. LOOKING AHEAD: Souper Bowl Sunday February 4 Food Drive In 2018, the Griffin Circle will be in charge of the Souper Bowl drive to fight hunger in Augusta. Watch for details in the January bulletins. In December, Raymond s Kitchen and Closet provided snack packs for 58 persons and clothing for one. During the year your 2017 benevolence dollars provided $3121 in support for utilities, medicine, housing and transportation to our neighbors in need. JANUARY 23 Griffin Circle 1 p.m. Men s Club 6:30 p.m. In December, Santa s helpers worked hard in the Heritage suite. 2018 should bring about some nice improvements to the rooms! Jan 15 - MLK Day Church Office Closed Apportionment Meal January 21 Sponsor: Remnant Sunday School Class FRESH DIAPERS CASSEROLES FOR THE WEEK LOTS OF FORMULA SOUPS - SANDWICHES - DESSERTS Need offering envelopes? You ll find a new supply in the narthex if you re running low. Love kids? Marilyn invites you to join a group of volunteers who read After the three Wise Men left, the three Wiser Women arrived. to students at Craig Houghton school in our neighborhood. To learn more, call the church office. CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING New Upper Room devotional booklets are in the narthex. Monday January 22 6 pm Fellowship Hall Trustee Meeting Monday, Jan 8 6 pm - Elect officers OFFICE ANGELS Get your halos now! We need an angel or two who will volunteer a few hours now and then, filing and recording information in the church membership book. If you can help, please call or email Marilyn. You will be a Godsend!
St. James United Methodist Church The Fellowship of the Friendly 439 Greene Street Augusta, GA 30901 The Rev. Thurman Norville, Jr. Pastor Marilyn Grau Administrative Assistant Walter Harwood III Organist Raymond Hookfin Sexton 706-722-8373 stjamesunitedmethodist50@gmail.com www:stjamesaugusta.com