Volume 7, Issue 5 May 2015 Spirit-Empowered Living W hat is a Spirit-empowered life? What does it look like? The gift of new life in the Holy Spirit is one of the blessings of our baptism. How then do we grow into the gift of our baptism, living in the power of the Holy Spirit? Martin Luther says it like this in his small catechism, “Baptism is not simply plain water. Instead, it is water used according to God’s command and connected with God’s word. What then is this word of God? Where our Lord Christ says in Matthew 28, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’” Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism is profoundly connected to discipleship, and the Great Commission. A s we conclude the great fifty days of Easter, we have several clues about living a Spirit-filled life. In our Sunday Scripture readings, we’ve heard about the appearances of the risen Lord to the frightened and grieving disciples. We know that He shared God’s peace with them, just as the Lord continues to bless us with the fruit of the Spirit, including His peace. The risen Lord also breathed new life into the disciples as they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Nothing changed immediately for the disciples, but after Jesus’ Ascension, the Book of Acts tells the story of how the disciples are empowered to preach the good news. Then at the first Pentecost, there’s a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit, filling believers and empowering all for our mission as the new community, which is Christ’s body in the world. T he Holy Spirit is our teacher, comforter, advocate, mediator, and guide. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. We experience the Holy Spirit in different ways: a voice unlike our own ego; maybe a gut feeling of deep peace; a prick of conscience; or in the voices of others like our family, friends and neighbors when we hear the same message repeatedly. In all ways, the Holy Spirit is the power of God that enables and encourages us to do God’s will. According to Paul, the Holy Spirit also activates our God-given spiritual gifts for service in the Lord’s name. Our spiritual gifts tend to complement those of others in the faith community, giving us a deeper appreciation of our interconnectedness as believers, and reminding us of how much we need one another. A s we exercise our spiritual gifts in our many ministries, we’re constantly discerning God’s will for our lives, and aligning our wills with God’s will. This is a Spirit-empowered life and a beautiful form of evangelism. Our lives are evidence of how God in Christ Jesus has changed us so that we live with greater intentionally and purpose. In a Spirit-empowered life, our ministries are tangible proof of our desire to please God. In a Spirit-empowered life, we feel compelled to deepen, broaden, and expand our relationships in the community of faith, and by loving our neighbors as ourselves. Come Holy Spirit! Come! Susan + Look Inside For. . . Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports Page 3 Fellowship Opportunities Page 4 Vacation Bible School Page 5 Pentecost Speakers Easter at St. James Page 6 The New Gift of the Spirit Page 7 Youth Group News 2015 Graduates Chapel Rock Page 8 Baptism Acolyte News Page 9 Educational Opportunities Preschool Report Page 10 A Word from Father Steve Deacon’s Corner Page 11 Ministry Opportunities Supper with Susan Page 12 Camp St. James Sunday School Junior Warden Report
Transcript
Volume 7, Issue 5
May 2015
Spirit-Empowered Living
W hat is a Spirit-empowered life? What does it look like? The gift of new life in the Holy Spirit is
one of the blessings of our baptism. How then do we grow into the gift of our baptism, living in the power of the Holy Spirit? Martin Luther says it like this in his small catechism, “Baptism is not simply plain water. Instead, it is water used according to God’s command and connected with God’s word. What then is this word of God?
Where our Lord Christ says in Matthew 28, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’” Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism is profoundly connected to discipleship, and the Great Commission.
A s we conclude the great fifty days of Easter, we have several clues about living a Spirit-filled life. In
our Sunday Scripture readings, we’ve heard about the appearances of the risen Lord to the frightened and grieving disciples. We know that He shared God’s peace with them, just as the Lord continues to bless us with the fruit of the Spirit, including His peace. The risen Lord also breathed new life into the disciples as they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Nothing changed immediately for the disciples, but after Jesus’ Ascension, the Book of Acts tells the story of how the disciples are empowered to preach the good news. Then at the first Pentecost, there’s a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit, filling believers and empowering all for our mission as the new
community, which is Christ’s body in the world.
T he Holy Spirit is our teacher, comforter, advocate, mediator, and guide. The Holy Spirit is the
Spirit of Truth. We experience the Holy Spirit in different ways: a voice unlike our own ego; maybe a gut feeling of deep peace; a prick of conscience; or in the voices of others like our family, friends and neighbors when we hear the same message repeatedly. In all ways, the Holy Spirit is the power of God that enables and encourages us to do God’s will. According to Paul, the Holy Spirit also activates our God-given spiritual gifts for service in the Lord’s name. Our spiritual gifts tend to complement those of others in the faith community, giving us a deeper appreciation of our interconnectedness as believers, and reminding us of how much we need one another.
A s we exercise our spiritual gifts in our many ministries, we’re constantly discerning God’s will
for our lives, and aligning our wills with God’s will. This is a Spirit-empowered life and a beautiful form of evangelism. Our lives are evidence of how God in Christ Jesus has changed us so that we live with greater intentionally and purpose. In a Spirit-empowered life, our ministries are tangible proof of our desire to please God. In a Spirit-empowered life, we feel compelled to deepen, broaden, and expand our relationships in the community of faith, and by loving our neighbors as ourselves. Come Holy Spirit! Come!
Susan+
Look
Inside
For. . .
Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports
Page 3
Fellowship Opportunities
Page 4 Vacation Bible School
Page 5
Pentecost Speakers Easter at St. James
Page 6
The New Gift of the Spirit
Page 7 Youth Group News 2015 Graduates Chapel Rock
Page 8 Baptism
Acolyte News
Page 9 Educational Opportunities
Preschool Report
Page 10 A Word from Father Steve
Deacon’s Corner
Page 11 Ministry Opportunities Supper with Susan
Page 12
Camp St. James Sunday School
Junior Warden Report
Financial Snapshot
Our financial condition is positive. Our income exceeds expenses, even before Diocesan support is included. The total budget for the year is about $300K, so these numbers are not large. But the year-to-date situation is good. Facilities improvement projects, such as painting the sanctuary
and a general refurbishing of the library, are continuing. Please
continue your generous support.
Ways to make a financial contribution to St. James:
� Check, or cash, in your personal envelope. � Electronic giving: visit our web site: stjames.azdiocese.org Click on SimpleGive. � Text an amount to (480) 725-3889 (1st usage will ask for credit/debit card information.)
McKee Lundberg
The summer flowers are in the nurseries now, so the warm weather is apparently here to stay for a few months. New life begins. In the past 3 weeks, both of my daughters moved, creating new chapters in their young lives. This was a fun, but a very exhausting time for the Ash Avenue mom and dad moving service. I have decided that I am not really a fan of carrying a sofa down the stairs from a two-story apartment and then again up the stairs of the next two-story apartment. But the excitement made it worth all of the sore muscles. During this last move, I can honestly say that I did not expect to be pushing a large barbeque grill down the sidewalk a half mile on McClintock Rd. past the high school with people driving by commenting on my “food truck”. Long story. But, the excitement was worth it. As families grow, new chapters are always opened. It makes me feel deeply grateful that my daughters know that as their new chapters open, we will support them and be excited with them. We have had many new chapters open the past couple years at St. James. These new chapters have brought us new life and new opportunities. It is exciting to be here. Peace, Bob Klassen
Treasurer’s Report
Year-To-Date through March 23, 2015
Total Income $91,425.33
Total Expense $86,616.22
Sub-total Surplus / (Deficit) $4,809.11
Diocesan Support $12,083.36
Total Surplus / (Deficit) $16,892.47
From the Senior warden
Page 2Page 2Page 2Page 2
Bob Klassen (Bishop’s Warden)
Larry Kenyon (Junior Warden)
McKee Lundberg (Treasurer)
Gerry Carlston
Carol Justice
Al Larson
Chris Papaccio
Janie Studt
At Your Service:
Your Bishop’s Committee ASPRA award
Congratulations to all in V I P w ho wo r k tirelessly for social justice and education. This award is well-deserved.
St James St James St James St James
BookiesBookiesBookiesBookies May’s book is The
Cuckoo’s Calling by
Robert Galbraith. We will
meet Sunday, May 31st,
after the 10:30 service
at Paradise Bakery,
Chandler Pavilions, 940
N. 54th Street, Chandler,
85226.
Page 3Page 3Page 3Page 3
Join Us
for Lunch!!
Thursday, May 28th
11:15 am
Biscuit’s 4623 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix
(SW corner 48th & Elliot)
Tuesday May 12th 6:00 pm Los Dos MolinosLos Dos MolinosLos Dos MolinosLos Dos Molinos
4025 E. Chandler Blvd.4025 E. Chandler Blvd.4025 E. Chandler Blvd.4025 E. Chandler Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85048Phoenix, AZ 85048Phoenix, AZ 85048Phoenix, AZ 85048
Join us for a movie and a meal afterwards!
Saturday, May 30th
2:30 pm
We’ll meet in the lobby at the Chandler Fashion Mall
Harkin’s 20 Theatres.
We’ll then go to eat at Bell’Italia Pizzeria
(4909 E. Chandler Blvd).
For more info, contact Ellen Rose, (480) 208-3861,
Vacation Bible School Sunday, June 21 — Thursday, June 25
6:00 — 8:45 pm
!!!!Send your kids on an icy expeditionSend your kids on an icy expeditionSend your kids on an icy expeditionSend your kids on an icy expedition
At Everest VBS, kids embark on the coolest adventure of the summer! Your kids will discover what it
means to hold on to God’s mighty power in everyday life. Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning
activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building Glacier games, make and dig into yummy treats,
experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love,
and create fun crafts they’ll take home and play with all summer long. They all add up to making a life-
long difference in the lives of your children!
Everest VBS is offered free to St James members and to the outside community.Everest VBS is offered free to St James members and to the outside community.Everest VBS is offered free to St James members and to the outside community.Everest VBS is offered free to St James members and to the outside community. Invite your kid’s
friends and families! You can also get registration forms online at www.stjamestempe.org.
Registration Forms Available in �e Nar�ex!
Page 5Page 5Page 5Page 5
The Day of Pentecost … Speak Up! At the Gospel reading on the Day of Pentecost it’s wonderful to hear voices from all over the sanctuary speaking in different languages. If you have that gift to share and can read a couple of lines from Scripture in the language of your choice, please help us to experience the fullness and joy of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the gift of speech, and the exciting events that led to the birth of the Church. We will celebrate The Day of Pentecost on May 24th at both 8:30 and 10:30 services. A signup sheet will be available by May 3rd. Come Holy Spirit, come!
Easter at St James!
Maundy Thursday
Page 6Page 6Page 6Page 6
The New Gift of the SpiritThe New Gift of the SpiritThe New Gift of the SpiritThe New Gift of the Spirit Pentecost is often considered the birthday of the church. We celebrate it as the time in which the Spirit is given to the disciples and the church is born. But is this gift fresh and new, or is it recycled?
God did not start out as one at the creation, then subdivide as necessary, first splitting off a piece of the holy for Jesus and then a piece for the Spirit. The Trinity has been as long as God has been, and yet the Holy Spirit as given on Pentecost is fresh and new. How can this be?
Consider some of the references to the Spirit in the Old Testament. Genesis begins by saying that while the earth was a formless void, a wind from God, or as some translations say, the Spirit of God, swept over the face of the waters. It
is an image of God’s presence at the time of creation (Genesis 1:1). In Numbers, as Moses gathers 70 elders to help him with his work, God says, “I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them” (Numbers 11:17). The Spirit that empowered Moses was to be shared, just as the work to be done was to be shared.
In Judges and Samuel there are many examples of the Spirit of God coming to strengthen famous and not-so-famous individuals for the task ahead. The Spirit came upon obscure characters such as Othniel, who led the people in a victorious battle (Judges 3:10) and upon more well-known people such as Gideon (Judges 6:34). The Spirit of the Lord “rushed” upon Samson, who then tore apart a lion bare-handed (Judges 14:6) and it “possessed” Samuel who fell into a prophetic frenzy (1 Samuel 10:10). In the prophets, the Spirit came upon Ezekiel with the words to speak (Ezekiel 11:5).
The Spirit of God had been given before Pentecost. It was given individuals, to rest upon them, to help them with the task or crisis at hand. This is different from what happened when the Spirit appeared like the sound of wind. Now the Spirit was not for individuals only, but for all; now the Spirit did not rest upon people, but rather filled them. Now the Spirit was not to meet an immediate crisis, but to empower disciples to respond to God’s call.
First, on Pentecost, the Spirit was given to all who were present. Peter interprets this in his sermon by quoting Joel that the Spirit would be poured out upon sons and daughters, young men and old men, and male and female slaves. The Spirit was no longer reserved for judges, prophets, and leaders, but freely given to all.
Second, the gift of the Spirit is new on Pentecost because it fills people, rather than just resting upon people. Previously, when the Spirit of God came to God’s servants, it rested upon them and did so long enough for them to accomplish what needed to be done. On Pentecost, the Spirit filled people. It is the difference between hearing a symphony through one old speaker and hearing it with high-tech surround sound.
Finally, the Spirit was a new gift on the day of Pentecost because it came for a different reason. Previously, the Spirit came upon people to heal them or to meet immediate needs. Samson had a lion facing him. Gideon had a battle before him. Ezekiel was called to speak. Each had something to do that was beyond their power. On Pentecost there was no immediate crisis. There were no battles pending. The disciples had been praying and waiting, and then the Spirit came. Why? It was not a danger they faced but a challenge – the challenge to go make disciples of all nations.
Pentecost is the birthday of the church, for God’s Holy Spirit is given in a fresh, new way. May that same Spirit continue to inspire each of us, each day.
Dear Parents and Youth, Thank you for the Easter basket I received a couple of weeks ago, I look forward to reading the book. You all know me so well! I have already started to use my Starbucks gift card. . . Again thank you for your support of the youth ministry. Everest VBS June 21st -25th! Registration forms are available in the Narthex. Please invite any children you know to come join us for this fun event. Posted in the Sanctuary on the table near the sound booth are signup sheets for items we need and volunteer list. May 16th VBS Staff meeting 10 am - 11 am: This meeting is for all volunteers that will be working VBS. Materials will be handed out (if you don’t have them already) We can talk about how things went last year and what we need to improve for this year. Please let me know if you are unable to attend the meeting but plan on volunteering at Everest. May 16th VBS work Party 11am - 1pm: We will be having a work party to work on the set of Everest. Come roll up your sleeves and work on the set to make this a fun and exciting VBS. We need:
8 1 inch foam sheets 1 Gallon of blue paint Paint brushes
Eileen M. Flock
Youth Group News
This isn’t your parents’ youth group…. We’re getting real about growing in God, living life in your world, serving
our neighbors, and having fun. Be there - bring a friend!
Congratulations to our High School Graduates:Congratulations to our High School Graduates:Congratulations to our High School Graduates:Congratulations to our High School Graduates:
Congratulations, Class of 2015…Congratulations, Class of 2015…Congratulations, Class of 2015…Congratulations, Class of 2015…
The Sky’s the limit!The Sky’s the limit!The Sky’s the limit!The Sky’s the limit!
Camp at Chapel Rock is a blast whether you
are a first-timer or have been coming
forever! Online registration is open at https://
chapelrock.campbrainregistration.com.
Camp Dates:
Chapel Rocks! Youth Camps
Grades 7-8 & 9-12
June 7-13 or 14-20
Children's Camp
Grades 3-6
June 21-27 or June 28-July 3
W.I.L.D.
Grades 9-12
June 7-13 or 14-20 or 21-27
June 28-July 3
DATE 8:30 am Service 10:30 am Service
- - - May 2015 - - -
May 3 Henry C= Cam BU= Brandon
May 17 Barbara C= Brandon BU=Colin
Pentecost May 24 C= John B.
TB= Pamela & Henry
C= Aly TB = Collin & Morgan BU= Brandon
Trinity Sunday
May 31 Barbara C = Kate BU=Aly
May 10 Pamela C= Morgan BU= Kate
Acolyte Schedule for May 2015
Page 8Page 8Page 8Page 8
Acolyte Ministry Opportunity (Seeking Acolytes ages 8 and above)!
An important contributor to our worship each week is the role filled by our Acolytes. Acolytes
serve God through this special service in the Church. Acolyte means “one who serves”. The
Acolytes help to make the worship run smoothly by assisting the Priest and Deacons and
leading by their example of dignity and reverence. We have been blessed with a large number
of Youth and now we find ourselves wishing them Godspeed as they prepare to leave for
college. We encourage you to discern a calling to this ministry. All ages are welcome and
personalized training is provided. Please contact Deacon Robin at [email protected] or
(480) 242-7178. Thank you!
Shelley and I want to thank St. James Episcopal Church for hosting our wedding. After 22 years together, it was so very special for our best friends, Pastor Susan+ to conduct our vows and Steve to do our readings. We are so blessed!!!!!
Love and Blessings, Sharon Dalrymple
Sunday, May 24th the Day of Pentecost
If you or a member of your family is interested in being baptized, please contact Pastor Susan+ for more information: two 30 minute baptism classes must be completed.
Our Next
Baptism Sunday
Page 9Page 9Page 9Page 9
Christian Formation For All — CFFA!! Still looking for a great exercise program? Well here it is! Exercise your mind and spirit, strengthen
and grow in faith this year by joining us for an exciting series on the Gospel of Mark. We continue
our journey 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.
DON’T FORGET. . .
Living Compass classes continue Sunday, May 3rd, after the 10:30 service. Potluck lunch & childcare provided.
The Art & Science of Love A Gottman Weekend Workshop for Couples
June 27th - 28th
8:30 am to 5:00 pm here at St. James. This workshop is designed to strengthen relationships through engaging presentations and experiential activities. If you have a strong relationship, this workshop will provide you with insights and tools to further closeness, friendship, and trust. If your relationship is distressed, this workshop will provide you with a greater understanding of your relationship and a road map for repair. The workshop will be led by Michael Brown, LMFT, a Certified Gottman Therapist. Cost: $550.00 per couple with a $50 discount for registering by May 27 and an additional $50 discount for members of St. James. Flyers are available in the Narthex with more information.
Wednesday’s 4:00 pm in Room 4
Bible
Study
Graduation is at 6:00 pm, Monday, May 18th, for the students
of St James Preschool. It is remarkable how much the
children have grown socially, emotionally and physically.
Many of our students will be heading off to Kindergarten next
year and I am excited for the them as they will will have new
adventures and friendships in front of them. This month the
teachers will be busy preparing for our graduation program
and Camp St James. Thank you St James for all of your support for our preschool this last year.
- - April Culbertson
Page 10Page 10Page 10Page 10
A Word from Father Steve
From Betrayal to Triumph
O n Easter Jesus comes out of the tomb, and if he sees his shadow…
T he week before Easter, Holy Week, wasn’t simply a commemoration of long-past events in a faraway place. Neither
was it merely a time for piety and sentiment. Holy Week and its liturgies were a mystery we entered into.
O n Palm Sunday we joined the Lord of creation as he entered Jerusalem in apparent triumph, only to
be betrayed into the hands of sinners. We sat next to Jesus among a group of high school students whose Germanwings pilot betrayed him. We were with him as he’d been one of a hundred kidnapped Nigerian girls betrayed by their government for over a year. We were with the Savior on a bicycle in Baltimore as an Episcopal bishop betrayed him by running him over and then speeding away to let him bleed out in the street. We stood with him as he was betrayed in Indiana, where Christians passed their own brand of Sharia law. “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mt 21:9b).
O n Maundy Thursday we were called to profound service. The King James version of the Bible translates the Hebrew words
for "male human being” as “him that pisseth against the wall” (e.g. I Kings 14”25). Remember, the disciples’ footwear was usually sandals. “Jesus said to [Peter], ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean” (Jn 13:10). We were called thereby to join him as a hospice CNA, cleaning the incontinent whose minds have been whittled away by Alzheimer’s or whose bodies are ravaged by cancer. We were challenged to serve Sheriff Joe’s guests in Tent City, the homeless and maybe even traditionalist Episcopalians. ”So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet,” he tells us. ”For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Jn 13:14-15).
O n Good Friday we cried with Mary as she watched her beloved son die. Indeed, we become her daughters and sons as we
witnessed innocent Christians savagely beheaded in the Middle East,
and systematically mowed down in a Kenyan university dormitory. “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing’” (Lk 23:34).
L iving the mystery of Holy Week involved entering into the brokenness and agony of our world and descending with Jesus
into his tomb. It was a powerful way to prepare ourselves for “the glory about to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18).
F rom the time of the finding of an empty tomb outside of Jerusalem, people have
been trying to make rational sense of it. An early and extremely logical explanation is that the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth was simply robbed. Later, the theory arose that Jesus only appeared to die — sort of like someone today might stage his or her death to cancel personal responsibilities or to collect on an insurance policy. And even today, the Resurrection is commonly
written off as mere legend or myth.
M ary Magdalene finds the tomb empty, and she comes up with her own explanation: “They have taken away my Lord, and I
do not know where they have laid him” (Jn 20:13b). Other disciples are merely frightened by a vacant grave. For all of them, it’s personal encounters with the risen Savior which convince them of the truth of the Resurrection and transform their lives. Explaining away a body-less grave can have no impact whatsoever on the faith of Christians in our resurrected Savior.
P eter points out the most indisputable proof of the resurrection for the earliest Christians: The risen Lord personally shares
food and drink with those whom he calls to the kingdom (Acts 11:41). And so it is for us today. We can be certain that the Lord is risen because we personally encounter him in every Eucharist. No explaining away of the empty tomb can change that in the least.
“I have seen the Lord,” Mary Magdalene shouts with joy (John 20:18). “When he was at the table with them, he took bread,
blessed and broke it... Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Lk 24:30-31). Father Steve+
The family and I just did a Saturday volunteer piece with Feed my Starving Children. It was upbeat and fun.
I did not know that you can do it as an individual, not necessarily as a group. Look around you. Where are
opportuni"es for you, this spring, to do some volunteer work. It doesn't have to be huge. It doesn't have
to be unpleasant! It does need to be a consistent effort to do something for someone else. Service to
others, singly or in groups, is amazingly sa"sfying and amazingly loving in response to God's love for us!
Look around you (
Blessings,
Deacon Pat
Bishop’s Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 20th
6:00 pm
United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal
Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United
Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of
giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start
when we recognize and name our many daily blessings.
Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads
to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote
thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the
UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the
Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican
Communion in the developing world. Our UTO Ingathering will be
Sunday, May 17, 2015.
Page 11Page 11Page 11Page 11
Supper With Susan Friday, May 8, 2015
6:00 pm
Seating is limited to 8 guests.
This is your invitation and opportunity to get to know Susan+ in a relaxed and enjoyable setting over great food, and to get to know others in the congregation who you may not have met before. Sign up in church on Sunday!
We have a Habitat For Humanity work day on Saturday May 2nd. Please contact Steve Wilmot at [email protected] if you would like to be part of the fun. Start time is 8:00 am and we finish our work with lunch. Please arrive a little earlier if you can to get the sign in and other paperwork completed. The work is exterior painting on the newest Episcopal Coalition home.
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 west wall of the sanctuary.
Update!! Our April rebate check was for $203.96 — slightly down from January’s check, $222.24!
In general, our rebates are smaller than last year’s. Remember — you must link your V.I.P. card to St. James so we can receive the same 5% rebate as we used to get from the gift cards. Our NPO number is 80513. To link your V.I.P. card to St. James, you must first register your card at the Fry’s website, www.FrysCommunityRewards.com. Flyers explaining the procedure are available in the narthex.
The more we spend - the more we earn!
Register Today For…
Camp St James Camp St James runs June 1st through June 19th, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Children 2 years to Kindergarten are welcome. The curriculum is based on a weekly theme. We will have arts and crafts, science, music, story, chapel, snack, games, dramatic play, outside play and water play days. Our focus will be on fun and socialization. Camp St James is divided into 3 weekly sessions. The cost for each session is $105 per student. Students may register for one, two or all three sessions.
Session 1: (June 1-5) Theme: “Dinosaurs”
Session 2: (June 8-12) Theme: “Cowboys & Cowgirls
Session 3: (June 15-19) Theme: “Pirates”
Visit our website for registration forms, or stop by the preschool to get one today!
Page 11Page 11Page 11Page 11
We Need You in Sunday School!!We Need You in Sunday School!!We Need You in Sunday School!!We Need You in Sunday School!!
What, you have doubts about teaching kid's Sunday school? You do not know if you are cool enough or young enough for the kids to relate to you? You are not sure if you are old enough or wise enough to be able to teach kids effectively? It does not matter if you are twenty-two or sixty-seven, kids are not hung up on age. If you have a desire to teach children about God, you are well on your way to becoming an effective Sunday school teacher. With a little practice and some planning you can create a Sunday school environment that will make a difference in a lot of children's lives. So, you want to be a Sunday school teacher, good for you! God has abundant blessings in store for both you and the children! See Diana in the office to learn more!
Spring is upon us and fitting as it may be St. James is really spruced up especially with the great new paint job in the sanctuary. Now that everything looks clean and neat it is more obvious than ever that something needs to be done about the chairs. Not only are they showing "wear and tear" they are beginning to break rapidly. Though some chairs can be repaired most cannot. Many of you have been telling me the day would come when we will have to start replacing them. That day has come. We will set up a "Chair Fund" account so we can commence the replacement process. Any and all donations will be received with great appreciation. We will get some cost estimates and style availability on the chairs. As we receive this information we will keep you informed as we progress. Once the fund has begun to build up we will implement the "Chair Plan" in phases.
A special thanks goes out to all of you for your help and support that has made St. James what it is today. We look forward to some new projects that will be implemented throughout this year. Please keep your ideas and suggestions coming. If you have any questions or comments regarding the Chair Project please feel free to contact me. Thank you, Larry Kenyon Junior Warden
