Advent is a wonderful season and can get lost in the midst of Christmas madness. I am hoping that others will join me in taking a breath and having some time to reflect.
� Please come to an Advent Bible Reflection on Sun-day morning between when the 9 AM service ends and when the 11 AM service begins. During the first 3 Sundays of Advent we will reflect on the Gospel read-ing for that day and talk about how that relates to the Advent season. We will end with a short meditation about light. No need to sign up. Just show up in the library after the 9 AM service. It will be fun!
� Please come to a quiet Advent service & meditation on the first 3 Sundays of Advent at 4:30PM. (we will not meet on the 4th Sunday of Advent as it is also Christmas Eve and the first service begins at 4:30pm) We will meet in Steeves chapel for some prayer, some readings and then a guided meditation to quiet our minds and souls during this busy time of year. The service and meditation will last between 30 and 45 minutes with plenty of time to get home for any Sunday evening events.
Any questions about either of these opportunities, please contact Laura Harting at 610 363-5258 or at [email protected].
Steeple NotesSteeple NotesSteeple NotesSteeple Notes December 2017 and January 2018December 2017 and January 2018December 2017 and January 2018December 2017 and January 2018
Newsletter for the families and friends of Newsletter for the families and friends of Newsletter for the families and friends of Newsletter for the families and friends of St. James’ Episcopal ChurchSt. James’ Episcopal ChurchSt. James’ Episcopal ChurchSt. James’ Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop The Rev. John W. Symonds, RectorThe Rev. John W. Symonds, RectorThe Rev. John W. Symonds, RectorThe Rev. John W. Symonds, Rector
The The The The LLLLORDORDORDORD is King; let the earth rejoice; * let the multitude of the isles be gladis King; let the earth rejoice; * let the multitude of the isles be gladis King; let the earth rejoice; * let the multitude of the isles be gladis King; let the earth rejoice; * let the multitude of the isles be glad.
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Note 9am service time change to 9:30am 7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I
9:30am Christmas Pageant & Holy Euchar ist Rite II 11am Holy Euchar ist Rite II Traditional
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8:30pm Holy Eucharist Rite II, Traditional
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Normal Sunday Service Schedule
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Advent Advent Advent Advent OpportunitiesOpportunitiesOpportunitiesOpportunities
Bible Reflection
Quiet Advent Service and Meditation
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The other night it got down to below freezing. My car thermometer read 30 de-grees as I was pulling into our driveway. Now with the
first frost upon us, I am going to be pushing myself to get the spring bulbs planted. Because of the anticipated plant-ing, my daughter Macayla and I have been exploring our homestead as the season is changing—for it is still our first year here. We have been traversing the area that parallels and buffers a portion of the headwaters of the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek. It is what we call our “woods,” and it constitutes the western side of the property. It is a mix of a few grand oak trees, a young beech tree (for which I have great expectations!), and a lot of scraggy undergrowth of ailanthus, greenbrier, multiflora rose, and the unfortunately too-prevalent invasive bamboo which covers the northwest-ern property corner. Moreover, we are seeing more and more rocks and even a boulder or two as the groundcover is dying back on the slopes.
While considering where to plant the new grape hyacinths and our old tulips and daffodils, I have also been on the lookout for Advent Wreath greens. Advent—is that prickly (because its penitential), beautifully peaceful and expectant (because we are awaiting Jesus’ harbinger’s and the birth of the Messiah himself) time within the church that ushers in the New Church Year. It is a perfect time for quiet, individual sojourns or small group encounters. Advent is important to us as it prepares us for Christmas.
At St. James’ this Advent/Christmas season, we will have the opportunity numerous “Baby Jesi” at the December 17th [Advent III] Christmas Pageant, as we have been blessed with so many new infants and families at our parish in 2017. Included within that fragile, beautiful and most precious group, is our own baby boy, Evan Jacob. With the heralds of Christ’s birth that all of us will meet again in the Holy Scrip-tures and the images of the angels’ singing in the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we immediately find ourselves in the twelve days of the season that is Christmas in the church. How those solitary moments we had during Advent are transformed to the corporate, celebratory gatherings of Christmas!
Now with three children of our own under the age of twelve, it will literally be a Christmas like never before. The swift-ness of the new church year continues with The Epiphany on January 6th. Kim and I will be hosting a thank you dinner party for the Adopt-A-Highway volunteers on Friday even-ing, January 12th. This will bring with it, even more anticipa-tion, depending upon whether or not south-central and southeastern Pennsylvania receives the snows that always seem to occur around the time Farm Show.
Epiphany is the revealing of Jesus to the world which occurs in this season of light. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany are oftentimes considered a harmonious continuum, with even other significant Feast Days interspersed, giving light and hope and warmth to a cold and harsh world.
Even though there are painful reminders of the evils one can find in the world during the sweep of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany---simply remember individuals like King Her-od, or the events surrounding the martyrdom of St. Stephen
(Rector, Continued on page 3)
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and the Feast Day of the Holy Innocents---it is the peace of love of Jesus Christ coming into the world that shatters the darkness. It is, a baby born to faithful, God-fearing (read “God-loving”) parents, who changes things for all times, because his name is Emmanuel—“God with us.” the latter two observances occurring during the last week of the calendar year.
We are not far away from tragedy and significant sorrow within our own times. The numbing reminders of the mass shootings at a concert in Las Vegas and of the small-town church in Sutherland Springs, Texas; and most-recently a school in northern California, serve as an all-to-prevalent short list. Yet, in being Christian, we are always called to be transformed by the Incarnation, and accept Jesus’ way of peace, non-violence and reconciliation. It is the way of hope. Whether they be the “cedars of Lebanon” mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, or the oak-hickory forests in the Upper Brandywine and our own expectant beech tree, the foundational aspects are the same. New life, new discov-ery…all given to us by God.
Be it the expectancy and preparation of pregnancy for the life of a new baby today, or Jesus’ own nativity, we are called to prayerfully live in the world in spite of the briers and thorns that are always in existence near us. Advent prepares us for the Incarnation. The Nativity of Jesus Christ transforms what we know as the the entire universe and all creation for all time. The Season of Epiphany calls us not be mere bystanders, but both reverent and bold purveyors of the kingdom of heaven of which Jesus invites us to be a part.
Find out about the Good News of Jesus Christ by joining the Book Club, by having your children attend church school Sunday mornings, by attending a contemplative prayer service on Sunday afternoons in Advent, or per-haps by giving a new, large-group bible study a chance if you are a man. The Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle is an excellent time to grow more deeply in your own spiritual journey and calling.
Now, that holly tree seedling that is under the old blue spruce—the one I’ve been eyeing all summer---needs to be re-located down to the edge of the woods. With care, support and most importantly God’s willingness, there will be years of Advent decorations and holiday greens in our midst for years to come. Maybe number-one son David will join Macayla and me, if I can find a pair of work gloves small enough. Lord knows he is fascinated with all red ber-ries right now!
All Peace in Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, Fr. John
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The Stewardship Commit-tee's goal for the parish community for 2018 is four-teen (14) new Giving Units. At the time of publication of this issue of Steeple Notes, the current tally is three (3) new Giving Units. Thus, we are at 21% of our target. Please keep in prayer the work before all of us in striv-ing to meet this year's goal.
In terms of actual gifting num-bers with respect to the parish's General Operating Fund, we
stand at 61 Giving Units and $136,164 in committed funds (compared to 70 Giving Units and $166,492 in committed funds last year at three weeks into the ap-peal). Moreover, in terms of specific gifts to the Anna McI Memorial Fund (designated for the church's physical plant and capital improvements), we are at 25 Giving Units and $15,016.This is exactly in line with the number of gifts to this fund last year at this time. However last year showed $11,024 in committed gifts three weeks into the appeal whereas this year's appeal for the Anna McI Fund stands at a nearly $4,000 increase for the building fund.
The committee wishes to thank this year's guest speak-ers: the presenter of lay person's testimony, Kevin Pren-dergast [October 29th]; and guest preacher Alan Lindsay of The Church Foundation [November 5th].
For more information and to learn what else you can do beyond offering prayers and committing to your own Sa-cred Gift to St. James' for 2018, please reach out to one of the Stewardship Committee members: Tim Gemmell, Chair; Mary Anne Feeley; Matt Ryan; Jack N, Edmonds; George Fritze (parish treasurer); and Fr. John Symonds. (Remember that the only individuals within the parish who know of individual parishioners' gift amounts are the treas-urer and parish administrator
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Adopt A Family “Wrapping Party” during coffee hour Pageant rehearsal following 9am service
December 7 at 6am First morning for Ecumenical Men’s Prayer Breakfast
December 9 at 3pm Downingtown Christmas Parade
See Rich Carango for details on volunteering
December 10 Boxing of donations for the Troops during coffee hour
Pageant rehearsal following 9am service
(Rector, Continued from page 2)
StewardingStewardingStewardingStewarding God’sGod’sGod’sGod’s
Blessings Blessings Blessings Blessings for for for for
God’sGod’sGod’sGod’s GloryGloryGloryGlory
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F(4*+@S&J()*+’ Our family connection to St. James has been a long and connected story. I began my spiritual foundation at St. James’ Church in Downing-town beginning with my bap-tism, Sunday school and con-firmation. My memories of Sunday school were learning favorite Bible stories and sing-
ing songs of praise – loudly – in our classrooms located downstairs. Some of the favorite songs were “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, “We Gather Together”, and of course “Onward Christian Soldiers”! I do remember sing-ing the last hymn as if we really were brave and mighty soldiers marching ahead knowing we had nothing to fear since we had someone watching over us. One of the things taught in Sunday school by stories and example, were the importance of taking God’s love and understand-ing with us during the week. To be kind, helpful, and compassionate to others was not only taught at Sunday school but our parents lived by this same creed.
This was a wonderful time in my childhood skipping down the street to church (we lived 4 doors from St. James) or to the Rectory any day of the week not just on Sundays! At that time church was a place to meet friends, participate in various groups (Youth Group, Church Camp, helping my mother with Altar Guild, plays, pageants, and Junior Choir. My parents, being very active in the church demonstrated to my brothers and myself early on in life that participating and contributing (time and talent) to church made the wor-ship experience much more meaningful.
Scott and I were married at St. James in June of 1976. At that time we began our own faith journey as a couple. Again, St. James was there as we baptized our three chil-dren and watched them go through Sunday school and confirmation. As our family grew so did our church family. Our St. James’ family offered us the strength and support that a growing family needs from time to time! Our chil-dren were able to experience the love of God through the clergy, special friends and extended family. We feel very blessed that our children have grown up knowing that St. James’ Church is not just a church for Sundays but a place that holds a lifetime of memories (both happy and sad) but always knowing that God was with them and con-tinues to do so.
We are often asked why we continue to drive to Downing-town from Ephrata on a Sunday morning. Our response is usually “Why not?”
After many years of attending the later service we began attending the 7:45 service with my dad. The very first Sunday we sat with him we found out that Pew 21 was our assigned pew! This was the pew that my parents sat to-gether on Sundays for decades! My mother had died so we along with my brother John decided to attend the early service once a month with my dad. As time went by we realized the 7:45 service was quiet with the time to reflect and think about the lessons, Gospel, and sermons. Scott,
my brother and myself quickly realized that this was a gift - spending a Sunday morning in Pew 21 with my dad! We made friends with his early morning group and were asked to join them for breakfast after the service. Here we were on another spiritual journey! It was taking us down anoth-er path, one we enjoyed but was totally unexpected. Well, we sat with my dad in Pew 21 for about 10 years. At first, I didn’t quite understand the importance of sitting in that particular pew until my dad passed away. I remem-ber the Sunday after his service looking for Pew 21. It’s just something simple but a quiet way to be close to those you love and miss. So, I guess that is another part of the reason we wake up at 5:30 on a Sunday to attend the 7:45 service… it’s the close connection with the people that are sitting with or near us and those that remain in our hearts only.
Scott and I were very active in various groups and minis-tries while living in Downingtown such as Vestry, St. James’ Place, J2A, YAC, Sunday School, Stephen Minis-try, and Altar Guild. Today with the long distance Scott continues to enjoy being an early morning acolyte and I continue my Altar Guild duties. Faithfully, Scott and Gwen Settle
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Recent Confirmation teachers Jack H. Edmonds and Laura Harting will once again be offering the stand-alone curriculum, Confirm not Conform, to prepare high school-ers within the parish who have not yet received the sacra-ment. Along with Fr. John, Laura and Jack have set up a schedule of Sunday late afternoons from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Bartholomew Hall, as well as a select number of Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Star-bucks in Lionville. The eight (8) sessions in March and April will be held on the following dates: March 4 [Sunday, Lent III]; March 11 [Sunday, Lent IV]; March 18 [Sunday, Lent V]; March 20 [Tuesday]; April 8 [Sunday, Easter II]; April 15 [Sunday, Easter III]; April 17 [Tuesday]; April 22 [Sunday, Easter IV]. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be offered on the Day of Pentecost, 2018 when Assisting Diocesan Bishop Rodney Michel will be present to cele-brate at St. James’-Downingtown.
The next planned Confirmation offering for youth in the parish will be in the spring of 2020 as the present Rite 13 participants will be moving forward to J2A segment of the parish’s Journey to Adulthood curriculum.
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During Halloween we placed baskets of candy on our checkout desk and it seemed it to multiply as donors brought in more. We gave out lots of Tootsie Rolls and Kit Kats but the volunteers were also tempted and suc-cumbed to a losing battle. We finally donated the rest to
St. James Place and removed excess calories from the shop.
We have been very busy after our successful bag sale to revamp our racks and shelves with winter items. As we are approaching the Christmas season we have placed a vari-ety of decorations and gifts for the holiday season in our shop and are awaiting eager buyers. There has been a steady flow of sales and our shelves are continuously be-ing restocked so that we have almost emptied our supply from the storage room. If anyone plans to donate Christ-mas articles please do so as soon as possible. Keep in mind that we close for the season on December 16th and reopen January 2nd 2018.
We will certainly continue accepting winter clothing and boots which are always a huge need during the chilly months ahead.
We want to wish everyone a blessed and safe Holiday Season and thank you for your support throughout the year. We will see you in the New Year! Anna Filoromo
TB* TB.:>& SB1E N**2+ Y1D! We are in great need of a helper, once or twice a week, who is able to carry rather heavy bags of clothes from the Thrift Shop to the shed in the parking lot. This task can also be accomplished on Sunday morning, after church.
We will work around your schedule!
We are also in need of a driver on Mondays to Paoli Hos-pital and volunteers in the shop from 3:00-5:00 pm on Sat-urdays. (both can be as little as once a month)
Please contact Luann in the office or Judy Benne ([email protected] or 610-286-6141) for more details. Thank you so much for considering these much needed volunteer opportunities!!
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Kim and Fr. John Symonds will be hosting a thank you dinner party for all of the participants over the last year who volunteered with the parish’s newest Outreach minis-try: Protecting the Environment’s Adopt-A-Highway. The gathering will be Friday evening, January 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Spouses and immediate family members are all invited. Please RSVP to Kim Symonds at [email protected].
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November has been a time of giving thanks and we at St. James’ Preschool are thankful for all the blessings we have been given: a wonderful staff, car-ing families, and a supportive church. The preschoolers spent much of the month talking about things they are thankful for, everything from good friends, to gummy bears, to a favorite
toy! We enjoyed coming together as Pilgrims and Indians in our homemade costumes to share a feast of turkey sandwiches, applesauce, and popcorn, lovingly prepared by our parents. What a special way to celebrate the holi-day.
We have been enjoying our Chapel Time with Father John and are very thankful of that special time together. We have loved getting to know Father John and spending time with him.
All of us at the preschool are overjoyed with the festivity of the season. The children are getting ready for Christmas by making decorations for our upcoming Breakfast with Santa on December 2, making gifts for their parents, and singing holiday songs in the classroom. Our families are donating gifts for families through our Angel Tree Program and The Lord’s Pantry. The Pre-K classes can’t wait to share their Gingerbread Housemaking Parties with their parents and friends at the end of the month. So much fun and excitement are ahead.
We hope all of the St. James’ Family has a happy and healthy Christmas season filled with love. Take time to enjoy your loved ones and catch up with old friends. Find some time to do something that brings you peace (relax and curl up by the fire with a good book or do something that makes you happy!)
Merry Christmas! Suzanne Diodato and Johanna Uggla
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As a result of the LEV Coffee Hour held on Sunday, No-vember 19th, a formal training session for new Lay Eucha-ristic Ministers (LEV’s) is scheduled for January 16th begin-ning at 6:30 p.m. LEV’s are important part of many Episco-pal parishes because they are individuals who are com-missioned to take out the reserve sacraments to others who typically are not able to attend regular, Sunday morn-ing mass. If you are interested in joining this group, con-tact the parish office to obtain the needed training manual, Eucharistic Visitor Training: Equipping the Saints for the Ministry of Eucharistic Visitor, Diocese of Pennsylvania, 2017 as well as the two needed resource books, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life by Henri Nouwen, and A Manual for Lay Eucharistic Ministers by Beth Wickenberg Ely.
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HOSPITALIZATION REMINDER It is important to notify the rector or parish administrator when you or a family member is in the hospital. Due to privacy laws, hospitals are no longer able to give the church information. Please let us know when you are in the hospital. After hours pastoral emergencies, our rector can be reached at 610-314-5482.
Do you need help with meals? Our Ministry of Meals can help. Contact the parish administrator - 610-269-1774
Free is Good
• Free first order of checks*
• No annual fee VISA® Debit Card
• Quickly and conveniently pay bills online 24/7
• Make one-time payments /schedule regular automated payments
Call 484-691-DNB1 or visit dnbfirst.com.
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HUDSON L. VOLTZ, ESQUIRE JOY L. VALANIA, ESQUIRE JANET J. SATTERTHWAITE, ESQUIRE HEIDI T. NOVINO, PARALEGAL
HUDSON L. VOLTZ, P.C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Small Business ~ Family Law ~ Estate Planning & Probate ~ Real Estate Law THE LAIRD PROFESSIONAL BUILDING 610-518-9500 110 HOPEWELL ROAD, SUITE 200 Fax 610-518-5316 DOWNINGTOWN, PA 19335-1047 E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Voltz is a member; serving the St. James’ Community for Real Estate, Family, Business and Estate matters for the past 20 years
Mary Houser December 1
Jim Umhofer December 1
Jimmy DiOttavio December 2
David Craig December 4
Edie Tritz December 4
Ryan Feeley December 5
Edwin Carpenter Jr. December 7
Ella Deitcher December 7
Christopher Rieder December 8
Chris Samuelson December 8
Judy Benne December 9
Diana Lubwama December 10
Louise McIlvaine December 11
Don Greenleaf December 14
Kerri Crompton December 17
Alberta Landis December 17
Nakai Miriyoga December 17
Emma Wagner December 17
Pat Wood December 19
Sam Johnson December 20
Matt Ryan December 22
Rob Butler December 23
Lauren Houser December 23
Matthew Montgomery December 23
Colleen Teears December 23
Chase Crompton December 24
Bernice Burgess December 26
John Bartholomew December 28
Joan Craft December 28
Dave Dalziel December 29
Gary Teears December 31
Nancy Glidden January 1
Karen Meacham January 2
Jayne Shea January 3
Blake Leister January 5
Christine Johnson January 6
Karen Andrews January 10
Alison Sharpless January 10
Judy Craig January 11
Bev Hotton January 11
Gavin Butler January 12
McFredlin Turay January 14
Diane Umile January 16
Jenn Wagner January 16
Tristin Clauser January 17
Linda Scaffidi January 17
Mary Carpenter January 18
Connor Sharamatew January 19
David Vasko January 19
Gino D'Andrea January 21
Debbie Wrigley January 21
Doris Curley January 22
Scott Fritz January 22
Kristen Vasko January 23
Georgia Taylor January 24
Jeff McIntyre January 26
Ben Glidden January 27
Kathy Mason January 27
Dick McConnell January 29
Jennifer Teears January 29
Ethan Kosits January 30
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December 3 Richard and Jane McConnell
December 10 Charles and Catharine Pemberton
December 24 Stanley and Eleanor Landis
Luke M. Andrews
December 25 Margaret and Raymond Greenleaf
Tom and Jane Greenleaf
January 7 Robert K. Flickinger
January 14 Eleanor R. Feeley Louise w. Felton
January 28 George s. Zacharkow
Altar Flowers can be given each Sunday (except during Lent) in memory of or in thanksgiving of a loved one. Please fill in the date you would like in the Altar Guild Flower Book located on the table outside the Chapel. Envelopes for payment ($50) are next to the book.
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All men of the parish as well as their friends, co-workers, and those of other denominations or the unchurched are welcome to check out this new offering. Designed initially for the seasons of Advent, Epiphany and Lent, it is hoped that the early-morning timeslot on Thursdays will appeal to those with busy schedules who want to preserve their weekends as much as possible, and to retirees and even students. No prior bible study experience is required, and being that it is ecumenical in scope, attendees do not have to be members or St. James’ or even Episcopalians for that matter. All Christian men as well as seekers or the unchurched are invited to participate.
The first session will begin Thursday, December 7th at 6:00 a.m. in Bartholomew Hall and it will conclude by 7:00 a.m. For the first session in Advent, participants will read and study together the Book of Isaiah from the Hebrew Scriptures. Isaiah is a standard text for the Season of Ad-vent within the Revised Common Lectionary. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bibles.
Help to spread the word about the Ecumenical Men’s Prayer Breakfast, and consider not only attending, but in-vite someone to join you in Bartholomew Hall December 7th. A small free-will offering will be sought to help offset the cost of the breakfast supplies. For more information, contact Rev. John Symonds at [email protected] or (610) 314-5482 [mobile].
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When our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, talks about our tradition really being about “The Jesus Movement,” but with our unique Episcopal ways and sensibilities, it re-minds me of the very first Christians. Why is this? Because all “movements” begin with just a few adherents. On Wednesday night, November 15th, a small group gathered in Bartholomew Hall to formally kick off the first working session within our new initiative, Invite°Welcome°Connect.
The Good News is two-fold: first, those present were able to complete all three of the Congregational Assessments from program creator Mary Parmer’s booklet that was first presented in or parish in mid-September. Consequently, an assessment for all three program essentials—Invite, Welcome & Connect—was completed. Secondly, we have established a new ministry team for each group. The indi-viduals who will be heading the Invite Team: Tim Gemmell and Matt Ryan; Welcome Team: JoAnn Mattia and Carol McConnell; and Connect Team: Judy Benne and Rob De-itcher. Now that the ministry groups leaders have been recognized and the congregational assessments complet-ed, the next steps will be filling out the new teams to 3-5 people each as well as prioritizing immediate action steps and those projects which will take more planning and long-er-term implementation.
St. James’ Episcopal Church in Downing-town is seeking an individual to fill the paid position of Sun-day Nursery At-tendant. Hours are
8:45 AM to 12:30 PM on Sundays. Experience in the child care industry or teaching is preferred, but not required and the successful candidate will work in partnership with one other Sunday Nursery Attendant. Child abuse history and PA/FBI background checks are required and will be provid-ed, as well as Safe Church Training. Please contact Rev. John Symonds via email at [email protected], we kindly request no phone calls.
Altar Flowers are offered in Loving Memory of
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Sunday Worship Service Schedule 7:45am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Contemporary with Praise Band Nursery care during the 9am to Noon
10a.m. - Fellowship and Coffee Hour in Bartholomew Hall 10a.m. - Sunday School and Rite 13 classes
11a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Traditional with Organ and Choir
CHURCH STAFF
Rector The Rev. John W. Symonds
Parish Administrator/Bookkeeper Luann McIlvaine
Organist Jill Lewis
Sexton Jack Mea
Sunday Nursery Attendants Lauren Downey
Parish Office ~ 610-269-1774 409 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335
Open Monday - Thursday: 9am to 1pm, Closed Fridays
St. James’ Thrift Shop ~ 610-873-7812 Co-Managers: Shirley Tompkin & Anna Filoromo
Hours of Operation Tuesday and Thursday 2pm to 6pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
St. James Preschool ~ 610-269-0525 Co-Directors: Suzanne Diodato & Johanna Uggla
www.stjamespreschool.com
Vestry Members - Term 2018 Judy Benne
Rob Deitcher Jack Edmonds JoAnn Mattia
Vestry Members - Term 2019 Rebecca Barger
Mary Anne Feeley Tom Hudecheck
Carol Ryan
Vestry Members - Term 2020 Judy Craig
Susan Edmonds Tim Gemmell
Cathy Weisser
St. James’ Outreach Ministry for Lord’s Pantry of Downingtown
Volunteers for Thanksgiving Baskets
Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade
December 9th at 3pm
St. James’ Christmas Pageant December 17th at 9:30am service
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***C(=*/2(. >1. D*4*)R*. 2017 V J(/D(.? 2018*** Calendar subject to changes/additions/corrections - Contact the parish office to schedule use of the building
Friday, December 1
9am Preschool Breakfast with Santa Set up - BH
Saturday, December 2
9am Preschool Breakfast with Santa - BH
Sunday, December 3, the First Sunday of Advent 7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II Contemporary & Baptism
10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall Wrapping of Lord’s Pantry Christmas Gifts
10am Sunday School & Rite 13 classes
11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional Nursery care available 9am to noon
Thursday, December 7
6am Men’s Ecumenical Prayer Break - BH
Saturday, December 9
3pm Downingtown Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 10, The Second Sunday of Advent Canon Rev. Shawn Wamsley Visit
7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II Contemporary
10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 10am Sunday School & Rite 13 classes
11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional 12:15PM Vestry Meeting - BH
Nursery care available 9am to noon
Thursday, December 14
6am Men’s Ecumenical Prayer Break - BH
Friday, December 15
11am Book Club Meeting - Downingtown Country Club
Sunday, December 17, The Third Sunday of Advent and Christmas Pageant
7:45amHoly Eucharist Rite I 9:30am Christmas Contemporary & Baptism
10:30am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional
Nursery care available 9am to noon
Thursday, December 21
6am Men’s Ecumenical Prayer Break - BH
Sunday, December 24 The Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:45amHoly Eucharist Rite I 9:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II Nursery care available during 9:30am service
Sunday, December 24th Christmas Eve
4:30pm Holy Eucharist Rite II, Contemporary with Forever Endeavor 8:30pm Holy Eucharist Rite II, Traditional with Organ and Chancel Choir
Monday, December 25 Christmas Day
10am Holy Eucharist, rite II with Blessing of the Toys
Sunday, December 31 1st Sunday after Christmas 7:45amHoly Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II Contemporary 10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional
Nursery care available 9am to noon
Monday, January 1, 2018 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Sunday, January 7, The 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II Contemporary
10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 10am Sunday School & Rite 13 classes
11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional Nursery care available 9am to noon
Thursday, January 11
6am Men’s Ecumenical Prayer Break - BH
Friday, January 12
6pm - 8pm Dinner for AAH volunteers at the Symonds home
Sunday, January 14, The 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany
7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II Contemporary
10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 10am Sunday School & Rite 13 classes
11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional Nursery care available 9am to noon
Tuesday, January 16
6:30pm Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV) training
Thursday, January 18
6am Men’s Ecumenical Prayer Break - BH
Friday, January 19
11am Book Club Meeting - Downingtown Country Club
Sunday, January 21, The 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II Contemporary
10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 10am Sunday School & Rite 13 classes
11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional Nursery care available 9am to noon
Thursday, January 25
6am Men’s Ecumenical Prayer Break - BH
Sunday, January 28, The 5th Sunday after the Epiphany
7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II Contemporary
10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 10am Sunday School & Rite 13 classes
11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional Nursery care available 9am to noon
W**M=? S4B*2D=*2 EL*/&+/M**&:/;+ :/ B(.&B1=1)*9 H(==
Church and Preschool committees/groups ALWAYS check with the parish office before scheduling a new meeting/event
Monday
7pm Monday Message Open AA
Tuesday
8pm NA Meeting
7pm District AA Meeting - 1st Tuesday of month Wednesday
9am - 11:30am Preschool Mommy & Me/Toddle Talk classes 6:30 Brownie Troop meeting 7pm Vestry Meeting - last Wednesday of each month Thursday
7pm Forever Endeavor rehearsal in Sanctuary 7:30pm Choir rehearsal Friday
8pm AA Meeting
8pm Al Anon Meeting
Saturday
6:30pm AA Meeting
10
SC
HE
DU
LE
OF
SU
ND
AY
MIN
IST
RIE
S F
OR
DE
CE
MB
ER
20
17
G
reet
ers
Ush
ers
Aco
lyte
s L
ecto
rs
Ch
alic
e B
eare
r F
low
ers
Alt
ar G
uild
C
off
ee H
ou
r C
ou
nte
rs
Rea
din
gs
7:4
5am
9
am
11am
Geo
rge
& B
ever
ly
Hot
ton
John
son
Fam
ily
Peg
Lei
ster
Lloy
d P
etit
Pet
e &
Ter
ri S
ilves
ter
Kel
ly W
illia
ms
Cod
y C
olaw
Sco
tt S
ettle
C
arol
Rya
n (C
S)
Cha
rlotte
Bar
ger
(T)
Tris
tin C
laus
er (
T)
Ess
ie B
rink
(CS
) E
sthe
r B
rink
(T)
Dav
id B
rink
(T)
Sco
tt S
ettle
M
ary
Ann
e F
eele
y N
ancy
Cia
nfra
ni
Peg
gy B
ickn
ese
JoA
nne
Mat
tia
Rya
n F
eele
y (P
) S
cott
Set
tle
Ric
h C
aran
go (
P)
Don
Har
ting
San
dy H
odso
n (P
) P
eggy
Lei
ster
Lee
Edm
onds
Fo
r th
e m
on
th o
f
Dec
emb
er
San
dy H
odso
n R
ebec
ca W
ard
Cat
hy W
eiss
er
Vol
unte
ers
N
eede
d M
arily
n M
iller
and
B
ever
ley
Hot
ton
Isaia
h 6
4:1
-9
1 C
orinth
ians
1:3
-9
Mark
13:2
4-37
Psalm
80:1
-7,
16-18
7:4
5am
9
am
11am
Cat
hy Z
eine
r R
uss
Rob
inso
n V
olun
teer
Ju
dy C
raig
Jack
Mea
R
on &
Kar
en
Mea
cham
G
reg
and
Est
her
Brin
k
Che
t Whi
ting
Zac
h Li
ndne
r (C
S)
Zoe
y Li
ndne
r (T
) E
than
Kos
its (
T)
T
imm
y G
emm
ell (
CS
) Je
nn G
emm
ell (
FS
) M
acay
la S
ymon
ds (
T)
Sar
ah G
emm
ell (
T)
Flo
renc
e V
ivia
n G
ail G
ilber
t C
hris
ta T
yner
N
ick
Sny
der
Reb
ecca
War
d
Geo
rge
Hot
ton
(P)
Che
t Whi
ting
Reb
ecca
Bar
ger
(P)
Trip
p T
yner
R
ebec
ca W
ard
(P)
San
dy H
odso
n
Sam
& J
udy
Ben
ne
The
Joh
nson
F
amily
Geo
rge
Hot
ton
Ed
Mill
er
Isaia
h 4
0:1
-11
2 P
ete
r 3:8
-15a
Mark
1:1
-8
Psalm
85:1
-2,
8-13
7:
45am
9:30
am
11am
Jean
& G
erry
F
rank
P
ete
& T
erri
S
ilves
ter
Bec
ky L
eist
er
Che
t Whi
ting
Bru
ce S
hipl
ey
Rus
s R
obin
son
Mat
t & J
enn
Wag
ner
John
Lan
dis
Tim
Hud
eche
ck
Ada
m C
aran
go
A.J
. Ger
ow (
CS
) S
teph
anie
Ger
ow (
FS
) M
acay
la S
ymon
ds (
T)
Cric
ket R
ushi
ng (
T)
Dan
Hilt
ebei
tel
Kar
en S
amue
lson
D
on H
artin
g C
ody
Col
aw
Kel
ly W
illia
ms
Rya
n F
eele
y (P
) Jo
hn L
andi
s N
ancy
Cia
nfra
ni (
P)
Tom
Hud
eche
ck
Bec
ky L
eist
er (
P)
Peg
gy L
eist
er
San
dy H
odso
n
Thr
ift S
hop
Vol
unte
ers
Nan
cy C
ianf
rani
D
on V
ivia
n
Isaia
h
61:1
-4,
8-11
1 T
hess
alo
nia
ns
5:1
6-24
John 1
:6-8,1
9-28
Psalm
126
or
Canticle
15
7:
45am
9:30
am
Pat
Woo
d P
eggy
Bic
knes
e
Lloy
d P
etit
Bob
& G
ail
Yun
inge
r
Don
Viv
ian
Tim
my
Gem
mel
l (C
S)
Jenn
Gem
mel
l (F
S)
Sar
ah G
emm
ell (
T)
Che
t Whi
ting
Ber
nice
Bur
gess
D
ick
McC
onne
ll Je
nn W
agne
r
Che
t Whi
ting
(P)
Don
Viv
ian
Reb
ecca
War
d (P
) N
ick
Sny
der
Jean
Fra
nk
V
olun
teer
s
Nee
ded
Ron
Mea
cham
B
ob C
legg
2 S
am
uel
7:1
-11,
16
Rom
ans
16:2
5-27
Luke 1
:26-38
Canticle
3 o
r C
anticle
15
or
Psalm
89:1
-4,
19-26
7:
45am
9
am
11am
Shi
rley
Tom
pkin
V
olun
teer
G
ail Y
unin
ger
Jack
Mea
M
att &
Car
ol
Rya
n K
en &
Peg
gy
Leis
ter
Geo
rge
Hot
ton
Tom
Hud
eche
ck (
CS
) A
layn
a S
hara
mat
ew (
T)
Ada
m C
aran
go (
T)
A
.J. G
erow
(C
S)
Ste
phan
ie G
erow
(F
S)
Mac
ayla
Sym
onds
(T
) C
ricke
t Rus
hing
(T
)
Mar
y A
nne
Fee
ley
Flo
renc
e V
ivia
n K
aren
Mea
cham
Ja
ck N
. Edm
onds
B
ecky
Lei
ster
Geo
rge
Hot
ton
(P)
Gai
l Gilb
ert
Trip
p T
yner
(P
) R
ich
Car
ango
D
ick
McC
onne
ll (P
) R
ebec
ca W
ard
Jean
Fra
nk
V
olun
teer
s
Nee
ded
Mar
ilyn
Mill
er a
nd
Bev
erle
y H
otto
n
Isaia
h
61:1
0-62:3
Gala
tians
3:2
3-25;
4:4
-7
John 1
:1-18
Psalm
147 o
r 147:1
3-21
December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 December 31
11
SC
HE
DU
LE
OF
SU
ND
AY
MIN
IST
RIE
S F
OR
JA
NU
AR
Y 2
01
8
G
reet
ers
Ush
ers
Aco
lyte
s L
ecto
rs
Ch
alic
e B
eare
r F
low
ers
Alt
ar G
uild
C
off
ee H
ou
r C
ou
nte
rs
Rea
din
gs
7:4
5am
9
am
11am
Geo
rge
& B
ever
ly
Hot
ton
Ron
& K
aren
M
each
am
Judy
Cra
ig
Che
t W
hitin
g P
ete
& T
erri
Silv
este
r K
elly
Will
iam
s C
ody
Col
aw
Rya
n F
eele
y C
arol
Rya
n (C
S)
Cha
rlotte
Bar
ger
(T)
Tris
tin C
laus
er (
T)
Ess
ie B
rink
(CS
) E
sthe
r B
rink
(T)
Dav
id B
rink
(T)
Kar
en S
amue
lson
G
eorg
e H
otto
n M
att R
yan
Nic
k S
nyde
r P
eggy
Bic
knes
e
Rya
n F
eele
y (P
) D
on V
ivia
n D
on H
artin
g (P
) N
ancy
Cia
nfra
ni
San
dy H
odso
n (P
) P
eggy
Lei
ster
Lee
Edm
onds
Fo
r th
e m
on
th o
f
Jan
uar
y La
ura
Har
ting
Judy
Cra
ig
Vic
ki U
mho
fer
Vol
unte
ers
N
eede
d G
eorg
e H
otto
n E
d M
iller
G
enes
is 1
:1-5
A
cts
19:1
-7
Mar
k 1:
4-11
P
salm
29
7:4
5am
9
am
11am
Cat
hy Z
eine
r Jo
hnso
n F
amily
B
ecky
Lei
ster
Lloy
d P
etit
Ron
& K
aren
M
each
am
Gre
g an
d E
sthe
r B
rink
John
Lan
dis
Zac
h Li
ndne
r (C
S)
Zoe
y Li
ndne
r (T
) E
than
Kos
its (
T)
T
imm
y G
emm
ell (
CS
) Je
nn G
emm
ell (
FS
) M
acay
la S
ymon
ds (
T)
Sar
ah G
emm
ell (
T)
Dan
Hilt
ebei
tel
Gai
l Gilb
ert
Reb
ecca
Bar
ger
Bec
ky L
eist
er
Jack
N. E
dmon
ds
Che
t Whi
ting
(P)
John
Lan
dis
P
ete
Silv
este
r (P
) T
om H
udec
heck
R
ebec
ca W
ard
(P)
Nic
k S
nyde
r
Lesl
ie S
mith
V
olun
teer
s
Nee
ded
Nan
cy C
ianf
rani
D
on V
ivia
n
1 S
am
uel 3
:1-10
(11-20)
1 C
orinth
ians
6:1
2-20
John 1
:43-51
Psalm
139:1
-5,
12-17
7:
45am
9am
11
am
Pat
Woo
d P
ete
& T
erri
S
ilves
ter
Peg
gy B
ickn
ese
Jack
Mea
B
ruce
Shi
pley
R
uss
Rob
inso
n M
att &
Jen
n W
agne
r
Sco
tt S
ettle
T
im H
udec
heck
(C
S)
Ala
yna
Sha
ram
atew
(T
) A
dam
Car
ango
(T
) A
.J. G
erow
(C
S)
Ste
phan
ie G
erow
(F
S)
Mac
ayla
Sym
onds
(T
) C
ricke
t Rus
hing
(T
)
Sco
tt S
ettle
M
ary
Ann
e F
eele
y P
ete
Silv
este
r D
ick
McC
onne
ll Je
nn W
agne
r
Geo
rge
Hot
ton
(P)
Sco
tt S
ettle
R
ebec
ca B
arge
r (P
) T
ripp
Tyn
er
Bec
ky L
eist
er (
P)
Peg
gy L
eist
er
San
dy H
odso
n
Thr
ift S
hop
Vol
unte
ers
Ter
ri S
ilves
ter
Lee
Edm
onds
Jonah 3
:1-5,
10
1 C
orinth
ians
7:2
9-31
Mark
1:1
4-20
Psalm
62:6
-14
7:
45am
9am
11a
m
Shi
rley
Tom
pkin
R
uss
Rob
inso
n V
olun
teer
Nee
ded
Gai
l Yun
inge
r
Lloy
d P
etit
Mat
t & C
arol
R
yan
Ken
Lei
ster
B
ruce
Sm
oyer
Don
Viv
ian
Zac
h Li
ndne
r (C
S)
Zoe
y Li
ndne
r (T
) E
than
Kos
its (
T)
Ess
ie B
rink
(CS
) E
sthe
r B
rink
(T)
Dav
id B
rink
(T)
Ber
nice
Bur
gess
F
lore
nce
Viv
ian
Bru
ce S
hipl
ey
Cod
y C
olaw
K
elly
Will
iam
s
Che
t Whi
ting
(P)
Kar
en S
amue
lson
R
ich
Car
ango
(P
) N
ancy
Cia
nfra
ni
Dic
k M
cCon
nell
(P)
Reb
ecca
War
d
Sam
& J
udy
Ben
ne
V
olun
teer
s
Nee
ded
Geo
rge
Hot
ton
Ed
Mill
er
Deute
ronom
y 18:1
5-20
1 C
orinth
ians
8:1
-13
Mark
1:2
1-28
Psalm
111
Aco
lyte
s:
co
nta
ct
Esth
er
Bri
nk a
t g
reg
_b
rin
k@
ho
tmail.c
om
if
yo
u a
re u
nab
le t
o s
erv
ice
7:4
5am
S
erv
ice:
Ge
rry F
ran
k, co
ord
inato
r -
gfr
ank1@
com
cast.com
9:0
0am
se
rvic
e:
Reb
ecca
Barg
er,
co
ord
inato
r - R
eb
ecca_c1008
@ya
hoo.c
om
or
call
610
-524
-1224
11:0
0am
Serv
ice:
Peg
gy L
eis
ter,
co
ord
inato
r - 610
-696
-5271 o
r em
ail
her
at
Bla
kesgra
m27@
ao
l.com
January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28