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July 3, 2008
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Welcome New Confirmands St. James’ welcomed eight new confirmands on Saturday, June 21, 2008. The picture below can also be found on the St. James’ home page. Listed from left to right are Andrew Joseph Snow, Ronna Lynn Halbgewachs, The Rev. Cindy Baskin, James Derwood Finch Jr., The Right Rev. Bishop Chane, Tara Stafford Youseffi, Stephen Joseph Reckford, Sara Lynn Major, Baby Bennett (not confirmed yet); Srinivasan (Sandy) Soundarajan and Flloyd Montgomery Martin. The confirmation was officiated by the Bishop, The Right Reverend John Chane, at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
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Reflections . . .
From the Rector,
Dear Beloved,
During the past few weeks I have found myself immersed in planning processes and attempts to organize my office. The latter is one of those activities for which I get motivated as each summer draws nigh and the piles have grown too many and too high on my desk. The former, parish planning, has arisen as our parish leadership and vestry have begun to look to the future and make plans for 2009. It’s this I wish to address in this article.
To
begin the 2009 planning process I met with the parish wardens and program
staff earlier this month. We spent three hours reviewing and evaluating past
planning processes dating back to the year 2000. What we discovered is that
many similar themes have kept re-materializing over the years as we’ve
considered the needs of St. James’ and the directions in which we believe
the Lord is leading us. At the top of the list repeatedly has been a
recognition that we need to do a better job in assisting newcomers to get
connected with others in the parish and at incorporating more of our
membership into active mission and mission for the sake of Jesus Christ and
the Kingdom of God. In other words, at the top of the list is the vision of
"being the Church" as we seek to assist each member in his/her growth as a
disciple of Jesus Christ.
I was struck by a comment I heard at the recent Diocesan Evangelism and Communications Workshop held on June 7. The keynote speaker, Brian McLaren, made a comment that "the world is in desperate need of ‘disciples;’ it is not in need of more ‘Christians’." This statement needs a bit of unpacking and, indeed, someone asked McLaren during the Q&A what he meant by it. Basically McLaren meant that the world does not need more people who merely claim the title of "Christian" and attend church on occasion. Instead, the world is in desperate need of persons who are caught up with, and transformed by, the power of the resurrected Christ – persons who are living their lives according to Gospel principles out in the world. It is such persons as these who can transform the world in which we live to more closely align with what God has intended for His creation.
I heard another way of saying this at a recent clergy luncheon I attended. The clergy gathered were discussing, in rather generic terms, the nature of the Church and issues of "church growth." One clergyman commented that his congregation was realizing that Christianity and church growth has more to do with a "way of life" than with growth in numbers or the organizational structures that have emerged since the time of Constantine. I could not have agreed more and concur that what we need to be about at St. James’ is growth in discipleship, not just growth in numbers.
We have been blessed over the past few years to see growth in numbers in our congregation. I have also been privileged to watch many persons grow in their life in Christ over the past years. But the challenge to our leadership (and to all of us) continues to be: how can we expand and be even more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission, to "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19-20)? For the future, our leadership will be striving assiduously to develop opportunities that will assist all our congregants to develop that "way of life" that more closely reflects Jesus’ way of life (i.e., to grow as disciples). I pray that God’s grace will overshadow, sustain, and guide us in these endeavors.
Faithfully,
Cindy B.
Holy Baptism – July 27
A service of Holy Baptism is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, St. James’ Day, at the 10:30 am service. Any parents seeking baptism for their children or adults seeking baptism should contact the rector, Cindy Baskin, as soon as possible to arrange for pre-baptismal instruction. Cindy may be reached in the church office at 301-762-8040 or by email at
rector@stjamespotomac.org.Greet Your New Neighbor
We have begun a five-month program, from June through October, to send "welcome" postcards each month to 200 families who have just moved within a 5-mile radius of St. James' Church. What that means is that 1000 newly-moved individuals and families will know something about St. James' and how to get here!
This program is providing another way to welcome newcomers and visitors to our church. Summertime is moving time for many people, and a time to think ahead to Sunday School and other plans for the fall.
Fortunately we have visitors and newcomers here most Sundays. This is a good time to be especially alert to welcoming visitors--who may be the people who have just moved into your block!
One "ice-breaking" question you might ask a visitor would be, "How did you learn about St. James'?" They will appreciate your interest, and help us learn more about ways to reach out to newcomers. Rector Cindy Baskin and Assistant Rector Elton Smith hope you will let them know what you have learned as you greet new people this summer.
Missions and Outreach Corner
There is an urgent need for a member of the congregation to lead and coordinate St James' support of Shepherd’s Table.
Shepherd's Table is a resource center for homeless individuals. They serve a wide and diverse client base including a growing Latino population (about 30% of their current client base). They also serve individuals with housing problems and those who are medically uninsured or require other assistance due to their current economic circumstances.
For many years, St. James' has helped feed the needy and homeless at Shepherd's Table in Silver Spring every fifth Wednesday of the month (4 or 5 times a year). There are 2 shifts. One starts at 4:00 pm setting tables and helping put out desserts, breads, and salads. The second shift, from 5:45 pm - 8:00 pm, involves serving the meal to about 120 to 140 people and helping clean up. If you have any questions about the time commitment and what needs to be done to lead this effort, please contact Peggy Sussman , who has coordinated this activity for a number of years. Also, volunteers are always needed and welcome for both shifts. Please contact Jack Linehan if you are able to volunteer to lead and coordinate this activity.
The next time St. James' is scheduled to staff this activity is July 30.
Thank You from the Music Director, Newton Lewis
I would like to extend a warm heartfelt thanks to all of those who helped make the music program happen here at St. James’ this past year: from the children in the Angel Singers and Jubilation Ringers; their parents who got them here to rehearsals; to all the people in St. James’ Singers. I want to commend you all for your hard work and dedication. I do want to especially thank the choir members of St. James’ Singers who come every Thursday and every Sunday (or at least a reasonably fair amount of the time between cruises) to lead the congregation in music and provide inspiring music. I thank you all for the willingness to go on new musical adventures with me and I look forward to many more in the seasons to come. I also want to give special thanks to Janet McUlsky for the help she provides me with the Jubilation Ringers and to Cheryl Stafford who directs the Angel Singers. I would also like to mention my thanks to Sara Josey for bringing us a group of her gifted students to help us in our celebration of Youth Sunday.
I look forward to seeing and working with you all again this fall.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all who are interested in joining us in the fall: adults interested in joining the choir, and children interested in joining our choir and bell choir. Yes! You really are welcomed and needed. And wouldn’t it be grand to get an adult bell choir going again?
Newton Lewis
Our Summer Bible Study on The Kingdom of God is in full swing! The study, which uses the popular Lifeguide BibleStudy series that we have used in the past, is designed so that participants can miss many sessions and still be able to attend and participate in other sessions. Since the study is discussion-based, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to share your own thoughts as well as hear those of others. The guides will be available to either borrow or purchase for $5.00 at the Adult Forum, which will be meeting in the parish hall Meeting Room from 9:15 am to 10:00 am on Sundays.
Next Book Club Discussion
The next book discussion, scheduled for Sunday, July 27 at 7:00 pm, will focus on The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Dr. Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 6 months to live. The book represents the "last lecture" he decided to give at Carnegie Mellon University where he was a professor of computer science. His lecture is not so much about dying as it is about the importance of overcoming obstacles, enabling the dreams of others, and seizing every moment. This lecture can also be seen on the web at YouTube.
Join us at 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 27 in the parish hall Meeting Room for an evening of fellowship and discussion. We will order pizza and would appreciate your contributions to cover the cost. Salad, dessert, and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to the church office (office@stjamespotomac.org / 301-762-8040) so that we may order sufficient food and have enough seating for everyone.Parish Picnic a Success!
On Sunday, June 15 at about 11:45 am, close to 80 of our members gathered together in the back lot of our property for one of the sunniest, fun-filled meals our church has had in years! It gave us all a chance to share in fellowship beyond our typical Sundays. For many it was also a chance to serve; a big "thanks" goes out to our chefs Ven Banares, Roger East, and Robert McKeon, as well as to more than a dozen folks that helped to either set up, clean up, or both! The picnic may be over this year, but if it was any indication of how much fun this parish can have then you know you won’t want to miss the next special event the church hosts!
St. James' Day Is Coming - Sunday, July 27
Mark your calendars now to celebrate St. James' Day with us on Sunday, July 27. James, the son of Zebedee and the brother of John in the gospels, is our church's namesake. James' earned his living as a fisherman, along with his father and brother. He lived into sainthood by leaving his nets and following Jesus to become a "fisher of men." He was also the first of the 12 apostles to be martyred for his faith (Acts 12:1-5)
This year we will celebrate St. James' Day at the 10:30 am service with lots of praise and "saints" music, re-affirming our own baptismal covenant and a special presentation. A delightful part of celebrating the Feast of Saint James' will be a parish brunch served in the parish hall sponsored by our youth and the Worship Commission.
Join Lambeth Bishops and Spouses in Bible Study
[Anglican Communion News Service] The faithful around the Anglican Communion have a unique opportunity for Bible study with their bishops during the upcoming 2008 Lambeth Conference of Bishops http://www.lambethconference.org/index.cfm.
"Signs on the Way" -- focusing on St. John's Gospel and complementing the Bible studies in which the bishops and their spouses will take part during the Lambeth Conference -- is now available on the web.
It is offered as a way for people throughout the Anglican Communion to be "present in spirit at the Lambeth Conference, supporting their bishops before, during and after the gathering."
The studies are structured so that they can be used either by groups or by individuals. They can form the basis of personal devotions, a church study group or a diocesan meeting.
"The Bible studies we offer to you are produced by the same international team of people who were also responsible for the Bible studies at the Lambeth Conference," the introduction says. "In the Bible studies written for the bishops and their spouses the focus is on the 'I am' sayings in the Gospel of John. These present studies, however, focus on the 'signs' carried out by Jesus in the Gospel of John. The signs take us to the heart of Jesus' ministry and mission -- indeed John 20:30-31 -- suggests that it is through such signs that we come to discover that 'Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing ... have life in his name'."
PDF versions of the study guide are available at: http://www.lambethconference.org/lc2008/resources/index.cfm
Because the PDFs are in European sizes, be sure to select "letter size" in your page layout or printer setup specifications.
Selected Audio Sermons : Listen to most of the sermons for the past year at home or at your office!
Why Read the St. James' Parish Web Site?