Steeple Notes Dec 2017 and Jan 2018 2017

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].

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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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9:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II

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Holy Eucharist Rite II, Contemporary with Forever Endeavor

8:30pm Holy Eucharist Rite II, Traditional

with Organ and Chancel Choir

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Holy Eucharist, Rite II with the Blessing of the Toys

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Normal Sunday Service Schedule

7:45am, Rite I, 9am and 11am, Rite II

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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)

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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.

DNBFIRST BANKING SINCE 1860 Member FDIC

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

[email protected]

Parish Administrator/Bookkeeper Luann McIlvaine

[email protected]

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



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




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


Monday, January 1, 2018 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Sunday, January 7, The 1st Sunday after the Epiphany




Thursday, January 11


Friday, January 12

6pm - 8pm Dinner for AAH volunteers at the Symonds home

Sunday, January 14, The 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany




Tuesday, January 16

6:30pm Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV) training



Friday, January 19

11am Book Club Meeting - Downingtown Country Club

Sunday, January 21, The 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany






Sunday, January 28, The 5th Sunday after the Epiphany




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

Steeple Notes Dec 2017 and Jan 2018 2017

Documents

Transcript of Steeple Notes Dec 2017 and Jan 2018 2017