CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CONFIRMANDS

St James would like to welcome three new Confirmandswho received confirmation on October 25th.

Courtney VanderPyl, daughter of Kathy SchleiderKelsey Morgan, daughter to Mark & Libby MorganDavid Baldi, grandson of Joan & Marx Heller

St. James lLutheran Church I

Inside this issue:

__ ~II November 20091

Birthdays 2Special Thank Vou

Anniversariefl 3CaJendar of Events

CongregationalMinutes 4

Christmas-At-Se" 5

Commitment to Sudan 6

LET'S FIND THE SILVER LINING ...

in the clouds and rain we saw on CROP Hunger Walk Day!

48 people walked wrth us on CROP Walk Day in sprte of the weather - a truly inspiring effort onbehalf of hungry people around the block, and around the wortd! At the same time, the weatherunderstandably kept some Walkers away.

Consequently, hunger-fighting programs here in our communrty and vrtal efforts our CROP Walkhelps to make possible wortdwide - inrtiatives that are giving children and families a hand up inmore than 80 countries worldwide - are in jeopardy.

Tips for Winter

Inspirations

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8

But, together we can find the silver lining and tum back those clouds!

•, If you were able to walk in sprte of the weather, THANK YOU! Now be sure tocollect any outstanding pledges. Your sponsor may want to give somethingextra to fight hunger because of your extra effort.

If you would like toshare informationabout your Ministrymeeting or any

personal events inyour life, please

contactTammy Rodioat 561-1390or by email at

trodio@comcast.net

If you were unable to walk because of the weather we appreciate your efforts. PLEASE take thenext step to collect ALL your pledges and tum them in to Pastor Jen at the Presbyterian Church.

Every gift is more important than ever!

, If you or your church want to give a special SILVER LINING gift to help end hunger and helpoffset the support that may have been lost due to weather, that too will be greatly appreciated.Checks should be made payable to Church Wortd Service/CROP and can be turned in to PastorJen at the Presbyterian Church.

All our efforts make an important difference for our neighbors in need, both near and far! Rainbowsof thanks for your active caring and farthful sharing! A special note of thanks is extended to UfeMission Fellowship. Desprte rain and drear, they hung the directional signs up for the walk andhad the largest representation of walkers! Thank you. This could not have been done wrthout you.

The CROP Walk Chair,

Pastor Jen

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Bonnie Donahue November 2Caelyn Black November 6

Jake Waddell November 6Helen Kiger November 7

JT Waddell November 8Freddie Jantz November 22

Linda Rosbert November 23Amanda Haines November 24

Krista Panas November 25Deborah Reynolds November 27

Ryan Johnson November 29

A Special Thank You to Mr. James Gruccio, Jr., CFOofBurns-Kull Automotive Group of Marlton for their donation

of materials and the use of their copying and bindingmachines for the production of the Songbook for our

Contemporary Worship Service. The congregation truly isenjoying the booklets.

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Augsburg Fortress is pleased to announce the publication of the new Lutheran Study Bible. This excrting newBible features the NRSV translation as well as introductions, notes, and articles written by over sixty Lutheranpastors and teaching theologians. This resource is designed to invrte readers to experience the Bible and rtsmessage through solid background material, unique Lutheran insights, and opportunities for faith reflection.Reader-friendly, inviting, and engaging, this is the perfect study Bible for both youth and adulls who want toencounter Scripture in a fresh and new way! Biblical text is 10 point font; study notes are 7 point font

• Reader-friendly: Wrth an attractive page layout and easy-to-read study notes, Lutheran Study Bible presentsthe biblical text in a fresh, approachable format. Plain-language notes assume little to no prior understanding oftheological terminology, making rt accessible to the youth and adulls alike.

• Inviting: The rich study notes of the new Lutheran Study Bible invrte discovery, providing helpful backgroundinformation while actively encouraging the reader to direcliy engage the biblical text.

Engaging: The combination of biblical text and study notes enable the reader to learn about the Bible's content andto hear God's Word as rt was encountered by people in the Bible as well as how in now encounters us.

Study notes are grouped into four categories:

• The World of the Bible explores the historical, cullural, and geographic background of a particular passage.

• Biblical Concepts explain key words or themes in the context of other parts of Scripture.

• Lutheran Perspectives highlight Lutheran theological insights and cateehetical connections drawn fromparticular passages.

• FaITh Reflections provide commentary and questions that encourage Irle application.

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Johw& Kat'h:Y SVJ1.i:th, Novembe¥ 24

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~-<01 CORINNE FRANCIS LEE BLACK\ ~ Congratulations to Teri and J efTBlack for the birth of their second~ beautiful daughter Corinne. Teri, Jell and big sister Caelyn

welcomed Corinne to the family on September 25th. Corinneweighed in at 7lb30z and 20 inches long. Mother and baby arc doing fine.Grandparents Steve and Linda Hosbert andJefT and Lucy Black are rightfullyproud as are the great grandparents. Teri has pictures on Facebook under

Teri Rosbert Black. Thank God for these miracles of love.

;.~'" @.lr:ib~liY"{~~@3@~l~[~k;',.~/

November 1 IV Daylight Savings Time EndsRemember to set your clock back One Hour

November 24 IV Thanksgiving Service, 7:00 pmHammonton Presbyterian Church

Women's Bible Study-These studies will be held every first and thirdTuesday of the month

[Volume 7, Issue 8

Special Congregational Meeting September 13th, 2009

Council Prosident, Jim Valonti, called the meeting to order follo,,~ng Sunday worship at approximately 10:00 a.m.Pastor Mattei led the congregation in prayer.

The first item ofhusiness was an appearance by Pastor Worthington from the New Life Baptist Church, (currentlymeeting at St. Jacobus). Pastor Worthington prescnted an agreement for Insurance Coverage from EdgewoodAssociates. The 2 million dollar liability policy was the first requirement of the agreement St. James Councilpresented to allow for the continued use of the church. As the Insurance altreement was newly signed, the agreementfor usage was not yet signed, butl'astor Worthington agreed it would be.

Helmut Moschik presented concerns about the usage of the St. Jacobus. He found pictures and lilthts had beenmoved, and utilities, (heat, air, and lights), wcrc lell on. .

Pastor Worthington stated he was trying to keep the utilities in order, and he had worked Mth Pastor Mattei onchanges made at the Church. He wasn't aware he nooded to work with council. Ingrid Moschik made a motion to ter-minate the use of St. Jacobus by tho New Life 13aptist congregation. Helmut seconded, but motion was defeated.

There was much discussion about the use of St. Jacobus. Of particular concern was the $2500 past due gas bill.Judi Dunleavy made a motion not to allow the New Life Baptist to use St. Jacobus during the cold Mnler months ofDocomber, Jan., Feb., and March unless the past due gas bill was paid and it was demonstrated that they could sup-port the utility bills. Motion was seconded by Fred Tichy, and motion passed.

Michael Hozik made a motion to have Church Council report to the congregation on a monthly basis the progresswith The New Life Baptist Church. Sally Costa seconded, and the motion passed.

Next, treasurer Ed Volpa prosented a financial update:

• YTDincome

• TID oxpenses

• YTD deficit

$58,727.80

$79,123.74

$20,395.94

• Monthly shortfall average is $2550; annualized would be approx. $30,600.

With all stocks and annuities liquidated current expenses are not met.

Pastor Mattei gave an update on his job search. He reported he interviewed with the ELCA for a missiondevelopment position which may be anywhere in the U.S. He is uwait.ing progress, and is currently interviewingother ELCA Churches in search of a Past()r. He should have more news to report shortly.

There was discussion of fund rai8in~options, including member home dinncrs and member donation auctions.

A motion was made to continuo developing fund raising options nnd continuo with current budget. The motion wasseconded by Michael HO'Lik.Motion passed.

Jean Grim made a motion to chan~ back to two servioos. Ed Volpa seconded and motion passcd. Ed made a motionto hold services at 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays. Fred seconded. Members voiced unwillingness to change secondservice time so Fred amended the motion to 8:45 and 10:30 service times. Motion passed as amended. New servicetimes will start October 4th•

It was agreed to hold a breakfast between servioos on October 11th, Mth a free will otrerinll.

Three new committees Mil be formed with the breakfast used as a committee organizing kickotr. The threecommittees are: Worship and Music, Finance and Stewardship, and Christian Education. Fred Tichy and BarbaraMcDonnell agreed to help ,,~th the breakfast, and John Fiori agreed to chair organizinll the fund rnisin~ dinners.

Ed Volpa made a motion to adjourn the meetinll, seconded b)' Putty Zellers. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Fred Tichy,

Christmas=at=SeaThere is some irony that the Christmas gifts wewill share with family and friends in thewarmth of our homes will most liRely havearrived from overseas, aboard merchant shipswhose seafarers will spend Christmas in themiddle of some ocean far away from theirown families and friends. Just another dayalone at sea.

But all of us ashore have the opportunity toreturn the favor to these seafarers and unsel-fishly share the spirit of Christmas.

This year, we're going to put a little more green in Christmas-at-Sea and aSRyou not towrap the Christmas gifts for seafarers. Instead, we'll supply you with specially decoratedsatchels in which to place your gifts. We'll save some trees, and our port chaplains willfind it much easier to climb the ship gangway holding satchel draw strings than loosegifts. There will be one satchel for each seafarer. Each satchel will contain:

One sweatshirt - hooded or unhooded (size L-XL),One pair of SOCRS- thermal or white gym,One casual pullover T-shirt (size M-L),

One winter cap,One can of nuts or bar of chocolate, and

A Christmas card from you.(Please keep in mind that most of the seafarers are men)

Additionally, we'll plan to add a piece of devotional material and an internationalphone card. If you are a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, please send thereceipts for your purchased gifts to your local Thrivent Chapter and aSRthem to fundthese international phone cards.

This December, our port chaplains will visit almost 150 merchant ships in numerousports in the northeastern United State and leave satchels for approximately 1,500seafarers. Please brighten Christmas for these seafarers by filling several Christmas-at-Sea satchels or more. You can call or email us to indicate the number of Christmassatchels you want to fill and any questions you may have.

Deadline: Monday, December 14,2009

Chris Roehrer212-671-4800 (ext. 1203)

cvr@sihnyc.org

Ruth Setaro203-687-2171

ruthsetaro@snet.net

Noreen Fleming212-671-4800 (ext. 1218)nflemlng@slhnyc.org

Seafar,ers & International House123 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003-3557

1 Volume 7, Issue 8

Head of White House Faith Initiatives Pledges Commitment to Sudan

Baltimore, October 5, 2009 - On October 2, Lutheran World Relief and fellow members ofthe Interfaith Sudan Working Group met with Joshua DuBois, the Obama administration'shead the of the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, who stressed theimportant role of faith based communities in drawing attention to the ongoing tragedy inSudan."The months ahead are extremely important for the Sudanese people and the future ofSudan. It is crucial that the President and faith-based organizations work together for peace,"says Alissa Karg, LWR's Deputy Director for Africa programs. Karg represented LWR at themeeting alongside fellow members of the Interfaith Sudan Working Group, a WashingtonD.C. based coalition of faith-based organizations working for lasting peace in Sudan.Noting the upcoming 2010 Sudanese elections and 2011 referendum in Sudan, faith leadersstressed that Sudan should be a priority for the Obama administration. Fellow coalitionmember Ruth Messinger, president of the American Jewish World Service stressed that,"Full engagement and leadership now is critical as we move toward elections and the refer-endum." Bishop David Jones from the Episcopal Church in Virginia added, "When the U.S.pays attention, the government of Sudan responds. We need the U.S. to take an interest."The group asked administration officials to incorporate important policy recommendationsfrom the Interfaith Sudan Working Group when they convene regular meetings prior to theupcoming election and referendum. The group also touched on other issues of concern suchas violence against women in Sudan, which has been reported in staggering numbers.Faith leaders also delivered a letter signed by 1,410 Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergyurging the Obama administration to work with multilateral coalitions to ensure the Darfuripeople can safely return to their homes and begin to rebuild their lives. The letter also asksthat the United States continue to pave the way for peace in the war-torn country and worktoward full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005. Further-more, the letter calls for greater attention to the lesser-known conflict in Eastern Sudan."U.S. leadership is critically important in helping promote lasting peace in Sudan. TheInterfaith Sudan Working Group and U.S. faith leaders have helped deliver this key messageto the Obama administration," says Karg.Faith leaders who attended the meeting:• Ruth Messinger: President, American Jewish World Service• Galen Carey: Director of Government Affairs, National Association of Evangelicals• Reverend Gloria White-Hammond: AME Pastor; Co-Founder, My Sister's Keeper• Alissa Karg: Deputy Regional Director for Africa, Lutheran World Relief• Pastor Cindy Lapp: Representative, Mennonite Central Committee; Pastor Hyattsville• Dr. Stephen Colecchi: Director, Office ofInternational Justice and Peace, U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops• Bishop David Jones: Bishop, Virginia, Episcopal Church• Imam Mohamed Magid: Vice President, Islamic Society of North America; Director, ADAM'S Center• Archbishop Vic ken Aykazian: Archbishop, Armenian Church of America.

IVolume 7, Issue 8

Easy-to-aw1y tips on how to thrive in this economic winter

I. Clearly defme what inspires you. There's a big difference between taking action out ofinspiration versus desperation. Use this season as an opportunity to hibernate into the recessesof your own mind and defme what you choose to create in your next spring

2. Control your focus. Energy flows where attention goes. Are you focusing on lack oropportunity?

3. Feed your mind. What's your constant mental diet? Do you spend hours in front of thescare news or are you reading good books, attending more positive seminars, watching upliftingDVDs and listening to powerful CDs?

4. Strengthen your body. Your physical health and vitality have a tremendous impact on yourperformance as well as your mental and emotional fitness. Exercise releases stress as well asstrengthen your body and mind.

5. Inventory your friends. Doom and gloom attracts more doom and gloom Jettison those"energy vampires" around you and surround yourself with opportunity seekers.

6. Quiet your mind. Take time to meditate daily and to slow down if only for a few minutes.Ten to fifteen minutes of meditation will relieve hours of stress and increase creativity and re-sourcefulness.

7. Rid your life of escapist activities. Overindulgence in TV, sleep and alcohol onlyaccelerate the problems you're attempting to avoid.

8. Make a daily gratitude list. Focusing on all the good, gifts and God in your life puts youin the right line of thought, feeling and their subsequent actions, which will attract and createmore good, gifts and God.

9. Change your attitude. Realize that everything that's happened in your life thus far is hereto serve you, teach you and help you grow. Find the lessons in your past results, forgiveyourself for anything you could have done better and apply the lesson to move forward andcreate a better future.

10. Get resourceful. For the next three days, go to a place where you can have uninterruptedtime ... Come up with 20 new ideas to grow your income, create new results and improve yourlife. You cannot leave your spot until you have twenty. And no editing! All ideas are good ideas.Do this for three successive days with 20 new ideas each day. Now take your list of 60 uniqueideas and pick the three to five most powerful and leveraged ones to put into action. Pick thesethree to five based on: ease of implementation, rate of return and speed of return.

Spiritually Speaking:"All the things God establishedplease me. I do not hurt any of

them."

r 1341 Mays Landing Road II ~L' Folsom, NJ 08037 ~~Rov. GiuseppeMattei. M.Div.M.A.

b Phon.: 609-661-1488Fax: 609-661-1580

E-mail: stjamesfol!.Om@netzero.netGiuecppe4 peacc@yahoo.oom

Growing Together inFaith and Fellow hip

INSPIRATIONSIf the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, howwouldwe believe and adore; and preserv~for many generations the remembrance of the city of Godwhichhad been shown! But every night comeout these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishingsmile.- Ralph Waldo Emerson,from his essay "Nature"

I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states ... Injustice anywhere is athreat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in asingle garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.

- Martin Luther King Jr.,from his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail'

Reconciliation is the ultimate aim of nonviolence because nonviolence holds not only for theabsolute inviolability of the human person, both friend and enemy, but maintains that humanbeings are ultimately one family, brothers and sisters to each other.

t- Niall O'Brien,

CoJumban priest in the PhiJippine_s _

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