St. James’ Episcopal Church

NEWSLETTERJanuary 2011

St. James’ is a community where we come together in Christ to develop spiritually;find opportunities for outreach; receive comfort when in need; and engage in sacred

experiences through our liturgy, music, fellowship, and mutual ministry.”

St. James’ Episcopal Church9 Williams Street • Clinton, New York 13323 • 315-853-5359

www.stjamesclinton.org • office@stjamesclinton.orgREGULAR SERVICES:

Saturday, 5:15pm • Sunday, 9:30am, nursery provided, Sunday School 9:30amChurch office hours: Tue. - Fri. 9am - 1pm

Staff:Rector: The Rev. Timothy S. Reger

Minister of Music: Mr. Richard Lloyd • Sunday School Director: Jenny FullerOffice Administrator: Mrs. Sharon Pick • Sexton: Mr. Christopher Evans

Vestry:Senior Warden: Jim White • Junior Warden: Patricia Jue

Mike Baldwin • Bruce Evans • Susan Havlovic • Gordon JonesDon Neil • John Pick • Wendy Weber • Kathy White • Sharon Williams

Treasurer: Jan Wilson • Assistant Treasurer: Blair Jones

Webmistress: Patricia JueNewsletter: Pat Evans

Leadership Group Chairs:Parish Life: (Open)Outreach: John Pick

Worship & Formation: Tim RegerProperty Management: Heidi Philley

Finance Committee: Craig HeussInvestment Committee: Gordon Hayes•

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From the Rector

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Poor Epiphany! Who sings your praises, anymore? Who remembers your graces? Oh, how we’ve been taken by the charms of your sister, Christmas and have since dedicated ourselves to bolstering a new image of ourselves with silly ideas like lacing-up our jogging shoes and beefing up our bank accounts—how easily we’ve overlooked your plain beauty in our midst. Poor Epiphany! The very word, Epiphany, means manifestation. More specifically, it celebrates that God is manifest in the person of Jesus Christ. The most important theme of this time is that Epiphany is intended for all, not just a select group of people. In the early Church, the first disciples did not see their min-istry to be focused solely on the Jewish community, rather there was an awareness that Christ is Lord of and for all people. Epiphany invites us to reflect on the richness of the gift of faith in Christ—the foundation of our lives—who can redeem us from life’s negative forces and lead us to life in the Kingdom of God—Jesus’ idea of happiness, where sud-denly, the reality of God breaks in to our reality. Jesus is the manifestation of the God of mystery, the manifestation of the way we could become. He is the model person, the ideal of liberation and justice. Jesus is the center around whom we gather as community and the way for us to enter into commu-nion with each other. What would it look like if God became manifest in our lives? I believe this is a scary idea. I believe most of us intuit what this might look like and we, sad to say, most often, would prefer not to. I also believe, that the reason that we, in spite of ourselves, continue to be attracted to the person of Jesus is an expression of our ultimate realization that manifesting God could lead this torn-asunder world into greater unity, reconciliation and justice with each other. This great gift of faith in Jesus, with all the fruit that it brings to us is a gift extended to all people. The Kingdom of God that Jesus reveals is an enormous spiritual tent, welcoming all in as brothers and sisters with God at the center of our lives. I simply mean that we ought to care more for one anothers’ souls. If we know someone that is not connected to a faith community, we ought to speak to them about our faith or what faith does for us. If we feel St. James has something to offer people and those people are nearby, we ought to invite them more, even bring them to church with us. If faith is a gift, then we ought to be eager to share it and our experience of the Church, the Body of Christ, with needy others. Sometimes, we get stuck in self-nur-ture or the comfort that our faith brings to us. Scripture portrays Jesus as light for the world, light in the midst of darkness. Perhaps, in this new year, we can resolve to try to be a reflection of Christ’s light for the people in our lives and for

the world that we inhabit. All of us who have been baptized into Christ should try each day to be a sacrament of the light of Christ to the world around us. As an ongoing act of dis-cernment, as we interact with one another, do we bring light into other people’s lives or do we bring darkness? We might pause today and ask ourselves, where might there still be darkness in each of our lives?: the darkness of isolation; the darkness of emotional turbulence; the darkness of antago-nistic or nonforgiving, non-reconciled relationships; the darkness of superficial, apathetic faith? During the season of Epiphany, let us pray that we might become sacraments of Christ’s light. And may we rely upon the divine assistance in moving more and more fully from darkness into Christ’s light. And while we’re at it, let us celebrate this season with joy and not forget to wish each other a happy Epiphany! Love, Tim+

First, a quick reminder that our annual Epiphany Party (adults only, please) will be held on Thursday evening, January 6. Festivites will commence at 6:00p.m., and we are still seeking a couple of Volunteer Hosts to help with the dec-orations and table arrangements for the evening. Please call Wendy Weber or Randy Wilson and offer your help! Sign up sheets for appetizers and main course items are posted in the Parish Hall and in the back of the church sanctuary. St. James’ Annual Meeting will be held immediately following the 9:30a.m. service on Sunday, January 16th. Sign up sheets will be posted for this event as well. Please sign up to bring a light snack to share as the Annual Meeting will take the place of our usual coffee hour time. Wendy Weber and Randy Wilson will be stepping down as Parish Life Co-Chairs after the Epiphany Party. If you want to help organize the fellowship activities and try some

new ideas, here is your chance! Wendy and Randy will gladly share the files of what Parish Life has done for the past several years with you.

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Parish Life

Funeral Postponed As some of you already know the funeral for Lois Bonta has been postponed. Lois and her husband, Steve were active at St. James for many years. One of Lois’s many jobs that tended to go unnoticed was the folding and distributing of the service bulletins. Her death leaves a void. We would like to pay tribute to her by putting on the reception after the funeral. Sign up sheets will be available at the back of the church and the parish hall. For more infor-mation call Wendy Weber.

Vestry News

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The vestry has a sense that there is a new energy in our congregation. We successfully weathered our interim period and, we believe, emerged a stronger parish. We dealt with many difficult issues, learning to listen to and consider viewpoints that differed from our own. We have empowered ministry groups with strong leaders. We have exceeded our ambitious pledging goal under the capable leadership of Blair Jones. Thank you so much, Blair. And of course we have welcomed Father Tim and his family to join us as we con-tinue our spiritual journey. We feel that now is the time to use this energy to engage in new ministry. We are discussing ways to involve parish-ioners in a more active outreach program. We think that St. James is ready to reach out to Clinton and the surrounding community and do good works. We are in the process now of trying to identify outreach projects and a way to implement parish participation. At our December 15th meeting Craig Heuss reported that year-to-date revenue was down 6% but that was off-set by expenses being under budget largely due to lower than expected utility costs and clergy benefits. Craig also presented the vestry with a preliminary budget, which was approved and will be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting on January 16th. St. James has received a signed purchase offer for the Lewis house. The vestry voted to accept the offer and has passed it on to Dick Compson for attorney review. I have been advised that we shouldn’t discuss the terms of the con-tract until closing. This will be my last article in the newsletter as Senior Warden. I want to thank Patricia Jue and all the vestry mem-bers, ministry group members and parishioners, who have helped me in the last year. We are bound together by our love for St. James and our mission. I am excited about our future as we prepare to take the next step in our spiritual journey. – Jim White

Annual Meeting Jan. 16 Our Annual Meeting will begin with worship at 9:30am, and enjoy a quick time of fellowship. If you are able, bring finger food to share. There are sign up sheets in the church and in the Parish Hall. Then we move quickly to the meeting. The prospective Vestry members will be introduced. They are Karen Anderson for Jr. Warden, Skip Beadsell, Cynthia Crossley and Patty Fox for three-year terms, and Wendy Weber for one year to complete an unfinished term. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted. A copy of the 2011 budget and additional financial information will be distributed and explained. We hear from the staff and minis-try groups as we celebrate all that God is doing in this place. We recognize those on vestry who are rotating off, and close with the commissioning of the Vestry and Ministry Group Leaders and a final blessing.

Karen Anderson: My association with St. James goes back to the early 1990s. From the moment I walked into the door on a Sunday morning, I felt as if I was coming home. I found this parish to be warm and welcoming, without being overly pushy and all of those factors had great appeal to me. For many years I attended services and didn’t get too involved, then Eileen Randall invited me to be on the Outreach committee and the rest is his-tory. I have served on the Worship and Formation leadership group, I have chaired the Outreach group, served on the vestry, been a past warden, and been a LEM and worship leader. I helped organize the U2charists and the Weds. evening services, led Via Media groups and was on the search committee for Father Tim. I have been a representative from St. James at Diocesan conven-tions and was elected this past November to be a lay delegate to the next General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2012. I am looking forward to working with Father Tim and Patricia and continuing to serve St. James in a leadership role.Cynthia C. Crossley I was confirmed by Bishop Ned Cole at St. James’ Episcopal Church in the mid 1960s. Since that time, I have served St. James’ Church by singing in the choir and am currently a member of the Altar Guild, memorial committee and usher. The worship services, the programs and activities at St. James’ allow me to grow spiritually and with a greater sense of purpose. I also serve as an Associate of the Sisters of St. Margaret and am active in many civic, community and philanthropic organizations.Patty Fox is a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and usher. She has been a faithful member of St. James for many years. She ser-vices with the St. James Outreach leadership group, and is always willing to help be the “hands and heart” of our outreach ministry. Patty is on the board of the Clinton Historical Society, and works at Mohawk Valley Community College. She is married to Chris Fox.Wendy Weber has been attending St. James since 1980 and was received into the church in 1983. Since then she has served in a variety of roles including vestry member and warden. Currently she is a Eucharistic Minister and scheduler of ser-vice participants. She and her husband Matt are part of a group working toward licensure as Worship Leaders. In her spare time she volunteers for the Country Pantry and the Kirkland Town Library book sale.

St. James’ Day School News The Day School is concentrating on winter themes in January such as Friends In the Snow, Animals In Winter and Winter Nights. We hope to build snowmen and play outside when the weather permits. “Pajama Day” is a highlight in January that everyone enjoys. Registration for the 2011-12 school year begins in January with St. James’ Church members (non church mem-bers may register as of February). If you have a child or know a child 3 1/2 - 5 years old and are interested in reg-istration information please let me know. You can leave a message at the Day School (853-5359 x14) or a note in the Day School mailbox or email me at cwirene@gmail.com. – Cindy Wirene, Head Teacher

Outreach

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Outreach concluded the year by making some donations to local organizations that we have supported annually, and by making some first time donations. We gave $390 to the Day School, to help a family with their tuition. We sent dona-tions of $550 each to the American Red Cross, Hope House, The Rescue Mission of Utica and The Salvation Army for holiday expenses. We sent $500.00 to the St. Andrew’s Seminary in Mexico to help them purchase a van to make visits to families that they assist. We sent $1,036 to Episcopal Relief and Development for aid in Haiti. It has been our tra-dition the past several years to honor the most immediate past warden by making a donation to a charity of their choice. Our final $300 donation went to the Country Pantry to thank Heidi Philley for her service to St. James. Our total expenditures for 2010 were $5,164 for local assistance and $4,836 for international assistance. We also had more opportunities for hands-on outreach. We also are so pleased with our youth outreach endeavors. It is wonderful to see such a spirit of giving in our entire parish. Please be looking for some big news about our outreach plans in 2011 at the annual meeting and in February. We delivered more than 40 coats, 80 hats and gloves, and several snow boots and pants to the Center for New Americans Refugee in Syracuse. Interfaith, on behalf of the refugees arriving in Syracuse Hancock airport, thank all of you for your generosity. Imagine how welcoming it is for someone coming with few belongings from Burma, Burundi, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, or Vietnam to be greeted with a warm coat and accessories. Interfaith has enough ladies and small children’s items, but there is great need for machine washable, coats, hats and gloves suitable for outside work for small sized adult men. These can be placed in the box in the Parish Hall. We continue to collect items for the Diocesan Mission of Miracles to El Salvador through mid-January. They need Tylenol of all dosages including Tylenol Arthritis, anti-fungal creams, muscle rub, sun-glasses and empty pill bottles with child proof caps. Place them in the box in the Parish Hall or in the back of the church. A big thank you to all who took a star and pur-chased a gift for one of the Country Pantry clients or for the House of the Good Shepherd residents. Parents are especially grateful that there were gifts for their children at Christmas. Under the outstanding and energetic leader-ship of Holly Horner, the Greens & Goodies sale raised $839.41 which will be sent to the Central Asia Institute, founded by Greg Mortensen, author of Three Cups of Tea. A huge thank you to Holly and Chuck and their many helpers for a very successful event.

Greetings from México!! I hope everyone had a blessed and joyous Advent and Christmas! You were all in my thoughts and prayers. I spent Christmas 4 hours north of Mexico City in San Miguel de Allende. There is an Anglican church there so I celebrated a beautiful Christmas Eve Service and sang some of my favorite Christmas carols. I have to say that on Christmas day with 75° weather and sunshine... there was a moment where I missed Central New York’s snow and of course all of you. However, I let the sun warm me up and I enjoyed that blessed day. I have been doing really well. Each day my bond becomes stronger with the people. My Spanish is improving which makes my job and living here much easier. I however still have my challenging moments which teach me so much. I am reminded of how important grace and love are in life. I am trying to be as gentle with myself as I am with the people here. Being part of a new culture takes work but work that I am more than happy to do. I would like to say thanks on behalf of all of the people here at St. Andrew’s Seminary for your generous donation to help with the purchase of their van. I will send you a picture soon. We are so grateful. We also appreciate all the beauti-ful ornaments you sent us. They made Christmas even more festive. It means so much to us that you all took the time to make our holiday brighter. It is a privilege to have your sup-port. You are doing great things for so many lives here. I would also like to share some exciting news. Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori will be coming to here on January 2nd for a week to visit the Anglican Church of México. I am excited to meet her; it will be an honor. I look forward to telling her all about my wonderful St. James family. Thank you for your continuous prayers and support! Many Blessings, Joanna

Father Tim, Jim White and John Pick deliver the 30 Christmas Wish Gifts from St. James to volunteer staff at the House of the Good Shepherd. Fifteen $25 gift cards for foster care children and 15 gifts to the residential programs at the House of the Good Shepherd were made available thanks to the generosity of the congregation of St. James.

From the Church Mouse

Property Management

> > > DeaDline for february newsletter: January 28 < < <

In December the property management ministry group had a strategic planning meeting. It was decided that we would have a building inspector look at all the buildings on the St. James properties (this is a 2011 budgeted item), so that we can prioritize future projects at St. James. – Heidi Philley

Seasons greetings to my St. James family. Just like the song, I must say, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” My family and I continue to celebrate the twelve days of Christmas with near-by friends and family visiting from across the pond. In the midst of this, we are putting away most of the presents, stumbling over all the new toys, and wondering what to do with all the trash. It’s a long haul for us from the undercroft to the curb. January is fast approaching and my wife and I are looking forward to the annual Epiphany Party. The food is so good, and even without children present, we still manage to collect a week’s worth of leftovers. Speaking of January, I am mak-ing some New Year’s Resolutions, are you? In our cycle of celebrations we now turn our attention to January 6th, Epiphany. Do you know that the gifts of the Magi symbolize important aspects of the life of Jesus? Jesus is the King of kings and gold signifies his kingship; incense represents prayer and meditation; and myrrh, often used in the time of Jesus for embalming and anointing of the dead, his eventual suffering and death. God blessings be with you for a happy and healthy new year, – Cedric

Thank you to all who contributed to St. James during 2010, and to all who have pledged to support St. James finan-cially in 2011. Through your generosity we have been able to maintain our facilities, pay our staff, and support our pro-grams, and will continue to do so in the coming year. And, thanks to Blair Jones for all her hard work as chairman of the 2011 stewardship campaign. The balanced 2011 budget will be presented at the annual meeting in January. Anyone who would like information regarding the sta-tus of their 2010 pledge, please contact Jan Wilson, or leave a message with the church office. Contributions made in January can be counted towards the completion of the 2010 pledge, but it must be clearly indicated on the check and envelope. Annual statements of donations will be mailed in February. Finally, a huge thank you to all the St. James finan-cial team, from the ushers who collect and count the weekly contributions, Kathy Collett who makes our weekly depos-its, Matt Weber and Terry Neil as our bookkeepers, Blair Jones our assistant treasurer, and to Craig Heuss, chair of our finance committee. Thank you & God Bless! – Jan Wilson

Treasurer’s ReportWorship & Formation

It’s the start of a brand new year and some new and exciting things are coming up in Sunday School! To kick off 2011, there will be a special, festive Sunday School lesson for Epiphany on January 9th. The children will participate in Children’s Chapel with prayers and songs, then they’ll break off into teams for a fun and challenging scavenger hunt where they’ll follow stars throughout the church hall build-ing to find the Baby Jesus. Starting in January, the children will also study the worship service, so that they can follow along an participate during church. I’m looking forward to seeing the children again on January 9th, and remember new faces are always welcome! – Jenny Fuller

Children’s Ministry

Women’s Spirituality had a to cancel in December due to weather, so we will meet on Jan. 3 at St. Margaret’s House on Jordan Road from 7:15 - 8:30 and continue read-ing Uncommon Gratitude by Joan Chittister and Rowan Williams. Any woman in welcome to join us. We welcome Pat Evans as our newest member of Altar Guild. In addtion to singing in the choir, Pat is also editor of our newsletter. Please consider joining Pat on Altar Guild.

FYI - Station UpdatePositve, encouraging K Love has moved to 107.3 FM, as it will cover a much larger area reach more people in Central New York. It is a great inspirational radio station. You can also check it out at: klove.com.

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

January 2011

Date Acolytes Nursery Lectors EucharisticMinisters Ushers/GreetersJanuary Server Schedule

Sat. Jan. 8 Nick Williams Joan Compson Dick Compson Maria Beck & Jim Sinclair

Sun. Jan. 9 Charlotte Jones & Rachel Evans & Peggy Cratty Rick Howarth & Conrad Dorn & Darby D’Angelo Helena Havlovic Alistair Campbell Don NeilSat. Jan. 15 Soren Lewis Patty Fox Chris Fox Chris & Patty Fox

Sun. Jan. 16 Audra Willliams & Claire Hilton & Susan Pinto Alistair Campbell & Karen Anderson & Margaret Jones Charlotte Jones Barbara Swetman Susan BennettSat. Jan. 22 Helena & Marek Wendy Weber Heidi Philley John & Cynthia Havlovic CrossleySun. Jan. 23 Suzie Phillips & Emily Vicks & Mary Lou Iles Brian Collett & Randy Wilson & Emma Davis Audra Williams Kathy Collett Mike BaldwinSat. Jan. 29 Connor D’Angelo Rahel Reger Kathy Heuss Sharon & John PickSun. Jan. 30 Amy Davis & Rachel Evans & Jeff Wooldridge Rick Howarth & Jim & Kathy Dakota Williams Helena Havlovic Randy Wilson WhiteSat. Feb. 5 Rachel Evans Wendy Weber Matt Weber Matt & Wendy WeberSun. Feb. 6 Logan Williams & Claire Hilton & Pat Evans Karen Anderson & Karen Anderson & Darby D’Angelo Charlotte Jones Skip Beardsell Susan Bennett

Altar Guild: Heidi Philley & Sharon Pick

Names at the bottom of each day indicate those for whom we pray. • Service lectionary readings can be found on our website.

2 3 4 5 6 7 1

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 1 2 3 4 5

Claire Burns Joyce Burns John & Bonnie Bushmann Tim & Stacy Butcher Carl & Pat Cameron Alistair Campbell Family

Eleanor Carmen M. Christ & Scott Evans Ann Clarke Bruce & Sondra Coe Brian Collett Family

Tim & Marsha Collett Dick & Joan Compson Fran Conway Patsy Couper Bud & Peggy Cratty John & Piper Crawford

John & Cynthia Crossley Dan D’Angelo Family Irma Davis Kate Davis Alicia Davoli Andrew Dawes Family

Jen DeWeerth Family Stephen Dick Family Conrad & Dorene Dorn Don Drumm Family Diek Elliott Family John Ellis Family

89:30am Worship Service 7:30am Men’s Study & Sunday School Group 5:15pm Worship Epiphany Sunday Noon-1pm Lectionary 6pm Epiphany Party Service 7pm Women’s Reflection Group 6pm AA Mtg Spirituality Group 6:15 Tapestry Rehearsal 5:15pm (St. Marg’s house) 8pm AA Mtg. 7pm Property Management Worship Service

9:30am Worship Service 9:30am Clinton 7:30am Men’s Study & Sunday School Garden Club 6pm AA Mtg. Group 3-5pm Sacred Harp Noon-1pm Lectionary Reflection Group 7:30pm Adult Choir 5:15pm Worship Service6-7:30pm Rite 13 Youth 7pm ABC board mtg. 7pm Special Vestry Mtg. 6:15 Tapestry Rehearsal Rehearsal Group 8pm AA Mtg. 7pm Finance Committee

9:30am Worship Service 10am Foothills Weaving 7:30am Men’s Study & Sunday School & Fiber Arts Guild Group 10:30am Annual Meeting Noon-1pm Lectionary 11am Parish Life 6-7:30pm Rite 13 Youth 7pm Book Club Reflection Group 6pm AA Mtg. 5:15pm Worship Service Group 8pm AA Mtg. 6:15 Tapestry Rehearsal 7:30pm Adult Choir 7pm Vestry Mtg. Rehearsal

9:30am Worship Service 7:30am Men’s Study & Sunday School Noon-1pm Lectionary Group Reflection Group 6pm AA Mtg. 7pm MVDTC mtg. 8pm AA Mtg. 6:15 Tapestry Rehearsal 7:30pm Adult Choir 5:15pm Worship Service 7pm Worship & Formation Rehearsal

9:30am Worship Service 7:30am Men’s Study & Sunday School Group Noon-1pm Lectionary 6pm AA Mtg. Reflection Group 7:30pm Adult Choir 5:15pm Worship Service 6:15 Tapestry Rehearsal Rehearsal 8pm AA Mtg. 7pm Property Management

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EpiphanyPartyThursday,Jan.6

6pmChampagneSocialHour

6:45pmPotluckDinner

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