The next event is next week! John McCarthy, our County’s State Attorney, who was extremely well-received at his first appearance with the group, will be the speaker for February 7. Interesting Montgomery County cases will no doubt be at the top of his agenda, but come with your questions, He'll accept all interrogators!

What were some of the challenges of working as a Health Officer physician in this county a few years ago? This and other stories of the recent past and present activities of Carol Garvey, M.D. will be some of the topics for the March 6 luncheon. Reservations need to be made, as always, with Sarah Padgett, and visitors are most welcome. The undercroft is the place; $10.00 is the cost for a day out with this group.

In April there will be a change of pace when Lori Levin, with Rescue Services of Great Danes, Mid-Atlantic region, will be the guest speaker. Do you suppose Cooper, her Great Dane, will need a reservation? Probably not, but he will be there. As with the February speaker, interesting stories will be heard.

Additional facts to remember: each "beginning" time is 11:30 a.m., with the meal starting at 12 noon, the speaker's presentation around 12:30 p.m., ending about 1:30 p.m.. All are welcome. Just make a reservation!

Our beautiful cyclamens will be back for sale in the parish hall after services.

St. James' will celebrate World Mission Sunday at our services on February 12. We are called by Jesus, in the Gospel according to Matthew, to go forth into the world proclaiming the Gospel (which is also translated as "Good News"). We are able to do this many ways in our lives as Christians.

The Episcopal Church has some formal programs that create opportunities for people to engage intentionally in this calling. One such program (and certainly not the only opportunity) is the Young Adult Service Corps, which is sponsored jointly by the office of young adult ministries and the world missions office. It selects young adult applicants, trains them, and sends them to partner in ministry with other dioceses across the global Anglican Communion.

On February 12, the Missions and Outreach Commission is inviting a participant in this special experience to speak to us at our services about their ministry in the Young Adult Service Corps. Please join us for this special event!

We continue a bible study on the Old Testament book of Amos through the Epiphany season. Amos, an 8th century B.C.E. prophet has a lot to say to today’s Christian about the relationships among theology, politics, economics, government, and morality.

All are invited to join us for this study in Room 106, lower level of the parish hall from 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.

In colonial America, part of the Senior Warden’s job description would have been leading the congregation in song. This was done by "lining out." He would sing the first line of the hymn and the congregation would respond by repeating the first line of the hymn. This procedure was repeated line by line. While they perhaps made as joyful a noise as Calvinist types might have been allowed, if the Warden couldn’t carry a tune, things went downhill fast, musically speaking. This was most often the case.

In New England, to remedy this situation and come to the rescue of Senior Wardens everywhere, singing schools were formed. If singing was important, then it was important to teach each churchgoer how to sing. So in the early to mid 18th century churches were embroiled in their favorite pastime: having a raging controversy. This one was over the scriptural merits of whether congregational song should be passed down orally (by Senior Wardens everywhere) a.k.a. "usual singing" or be taught and learned as something that was written down, a.k.a. "regular singing." Eventually, "regular singing" won out.

By mid century, the forms and styles of English country parish music were introduced to America, most notably in a new tune book called Urania, published in 1764. This stimulus soon led to the development of a robust native school of composition, signaled by the 1770 publication of William Billings’s The New England Psalm Singer, and then by a great number of new compositions by Billings and those who followed in his path. He was from Boston, a tanner by trade, and was one of the earliest and most influential of the singing school teachers as well as America’s first composer. Hymn 715 ("When Jesus Wept") is Billings’s one contribution in our current hymnal.

The singing school teachers developed new notation systems based on older English methods to aid people in learning how to sight sing music. The most common and well-known methods used different shapes for different notes, hence "shape note" singing. Shape notes became very popular in parts of Pennsylvania, on through the Shenandoah Valley to the South and Midwest as far as Missouri. In these areas it became practically impossible to get a tune book published unless it was in shape notes. Different methods would branch out and grow into different styles of American church music. For example, the shape note system that used seven shapes for different pitches became Southern Gospel.

By the beginning of the 19th century, the singing schools faded out in the north, while in the south and west they became a prominent social event for small town Americans looking for something to do. Itinerant singing teachers would stay in a town for several weeks to teach a singing school. Everyone in town and people from miles around would attend. Young men and women saw singing schools as important courtship possibilities. Sometimes the entire life of a town was put on hold and in this way the schools resembled tent revivals.

With the rise of teaching people to read music, the rise of shape note songbooks was not far behind. One of the most influential of these was William Walker’s Southern Harmony of 1835. One of this collection’s greatest contributions to American music is the written repertory of the Anglo-American folk hymn. Walker and other rural-oriented singing school teacher/compilers drew from the rich oral tradition of Anglo-American folk song to provide melodies for many hymn texts. The best known of all American folk hymns is "Amazing Grace." The text was written in 1779 by John Newton, a converted English slave-trade captain who became an Anglican minister, and was already a well-known text. For the first fifty years after the text appeared we do not know to what tune the text was sung or even if it was sung at all. But the marriage of the folk tune "New Britain" (itself from an earlier source) and Newton’s text appeared for the first time in Southern Harmony and they’ve remained blissfully married since.

Another folk hymn text and tune that Walker brought together for the first time in a later edition was "What Wondrous Love is This." The text was published anonymously in 1811. The tune existed for a number of years in oral tradition before being written down and included with the present text in Southern Harmony. This tune like many others he published, was from oral traditions harmonized by other shape note singing school teachers from his own native Spartanburg, South Carolina. Southern Harmony as well as Walker’s other "Harmony" collections had a distinctive appeal to the South of his day precisely because of his use of indigenous sacred folk songs arising out of the South Carolina hill country.

The legacy of shape note singing and the singing schools to current congregational song is the inclusion of early American folk hymnody in the current hymnals of practically every major denomination including our own. Songs like "Amazing Grace" and "Wondrous Love" have achieved ecumenical acceptance. According to Harry Eskew in the Journal of the South Carolina Baptist Historical Society "these folk hymns of the shape-note tradition are a wonderful treasure of early American song that constitutes a continuing gift to singing congregations and the American heritage of sacred music even now in the twenty-first century."

This Lent, Adult Ministries is pleased to present Hearing the Voice of God, a series on identifying when and how God speaks to you and others, and learning how to respond. Although His methods vary, God communicates with each of us. The challenge is learning to hear over the frenetic busyness of day-to-day life, and obeying once His voice is heard. Over five weeks, we will gather each Sunday in the Undercroft for 10-minute openers by our clergy, followed by a time for small group discussion. Together, we will explore how we can filter out the noises of fast-paced life to hear what God is saying, and to obey. Join us for a chance to hear, to share, to grow, and to build connections while doing so!

Hearing the Voice of God: Schedule of Topics

February Book Club – February 26

The St. James’ Book Club will gather on Sunday. February 26, 2012 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the parish hall meeting room to discuss Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. This book tells the story of Eliza Sommers, an orphan raised in Valparaiso, Chile, by a Victorian spinster and her rigid brother. But the young and vivacious Eliza follows her lover to California during the gold rush of 1849 – a danger-filled quest that will become a momentous journey of transformation. In this rough-and-tumble world of gamblers and prostitutes, immigrants and aristocrats, Eliza will discover a new life of freedom, independence, and a love greater than any ever dreamed.

We will order in pizza for anyone who would like to eat while we talk. Please RSVP to the rector at rector@stjamespotomac.org if you’re planning to attend and let her know if you would like to be included on the pizza order.

Don Mullins, Youth Director

Since Bill Josey and I have been to so many workcamp trips, we were invited by Group Cares, the foundation that sponsors the trips, to come to their headquarters in Loveland, CO, and give them feedback. We landed in Denver on Tuesday afternoon and boarded a shuttle for Loveland. Two folks got on and told the driver they also were going to Loveland. When they saw us, they said, "Hey, you guys look familiar!" and sure enough we discovered that we all had been to the same workcamp in Hammond, IN, last summer. In fact, both Bill and I had boys from their church on our crews.

The meetings at Group ran from Tuesday afternoon to lunch on Thursday. About 50 youth leaders were invited to provide feedback on what works well at workcamps and what needs improving. On Wednesday, we helped by pretesting the week's worth of this coming summer's workcamp curriculum with about 50 youth from a nearby Christian high school. Interestingly, Group has conducted focus groups each year with youth, but never before had called in youth leaders to provide direct feedback (we've always been asked to complete surveys at the end of each workcamp.) They were amazed at what a positive experience it was for them; nothing like sitting down face-to-face around a table talking about stuff.

We, as youth leaders, also were amazed at what turned out to be a very positive experience. It is very reaffirming to be with so many people who share a common goal. It is fun to offer a proven idea that no one has thought of doing before and to hear ideas that can benefit our program. Group has decided that they are going to start doing this more often; we all seconded that opinion.

As Bill and Ted could have said, truly a most excellent trip!

Don Mullins's Resignation

Don Mullins will be resigning his positions as youth director and computer network manager effective July 1st.  Read his letter to the parish here.

St. James’ is having a play outing Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m. It's a lovely play about four British women who rent a villa in Italy for a holiday away from their bleak marriages. They recruit two very different English women to share the cost and experience. Among the wisteria blossoms, all four bloom again, rediscovering themselves in ways that they, and we, could never have experienced. We have arranged to have a group go Saturday night April 21, with dinner beforehand nearby. Sign up in the parish hall.

Many thanks to the congregation for attending the youth-sponsored spaghetti dinner following the Epiphany service. We served just over 100 people and thanks to your generosity, netted $475. Margaret Blaine and Trish Powell were the coordinators and the 20 youth going to workcamp, chaperones, and several parents supplied the people power that made it all happen. This summer's workcamp trip will be June 23--July 1 to Port Jervis, New York.

The 2011 Year End Giving Statements were mailed on Tuesday, January 24. If you have not received yours, please email the Treasurer at Treasurer@stjamespotomac.org or call the church office at 301-762-8040. Once you have your statement in hand, please open the envelope and check it over to make sure that it is correct. Don't just put it in the pile of income tax "stuff" and open it on April 14. It is much easier to get corrections made earlier than later!

Do you know a University of Maryland student looking for housing during the summer or the 2012 academic year? The Episcopal Student Center is offering a place one block from Regents Gate. Features include a private furnished bedroom, A/C, laundry, WiFi, cable, and a caring community of committed people. To learn more, contact the University Chaplain, The Rev. Dr. Peter M. Antoci, at 301-405-8453.

Hospice Caring, Inc., one of the hospice groups serving Montgomery, is offering volunteer training (all day March 13, 14, and 15) for those who would like to assist individuals and families as a facilitator for a grief group or a caregiver. They also invite interested members of the public to attend their annual Hospice Caring Benefit Celebration on several dates in March, at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring, or the Spring Into Summer Fashion Show on Saturday, April 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Potomac. The March benefit has been chosen this year as the Hexagon 2012 Revue charity beneficiary. Hospice Caring also offers other volunteer opportunities and sponsors a number of ongoing and short-term bereavement groups suitable for a variety of circumstances.

To learn more, go to www.hospicecaring.org, call 301-869-4673, or check the bulletin board at the parish hall entrance.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is back! Details to follow in the weekly News & Notes emails, Sunday announcements, and the next Pilgrim.

From Farm to Table: Today’s Toughest Challenges

Part III

In my previous installment, I gave some recent history on how livestock are reared and killed, and how the resulting food products are handled and labeled. Though the system is by no means perfect, significant progress has been made over the years. But there are still challenges in front of us. So what are the chief concerns for animal treatment in factory farms today?

Perhaps the greatest problem is overcrowding. To improve profit margins, facilities are minimized for efficiency of material costs and fuel costs to heat and cool. As a result, chickens are debeaked to prevent pecking injuries (which can be severe when birds are overcrowded), tails of pigs docked to keep them from being bitten off (animals get aggressive when overcrowded just as people do), and antibiotics used to keep disease from spreading. But, mostly, the animals are deprived of normal movement and behavior – a very low quality of life. The Certified Organic, Certified Humane and Free Farmed Programs all address this issue to one extent by disallowing antibiotics. The Certified Organic Program requires access to outdoor exercise. The Certified Humane and Free Farmed Programs also require that chickens be allowed to dust bathe.

Transportation can be very traumatic for animals, especially in winter months when the wind-chill from caged transport can be life-threatening. The industry standards are based on percentages of loss (profit-based, but nonetheless, something). For chickens, the Certified Humane and Free Farmed Programs set limits for maximum transportation time.

The third biggest concern involves inflicted pain and fear, which covers several practices specific to each industry. Slaughtering practices apply to all animals and are regulated for four-footed farm animals (as mentioned earlier) by the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958. For chickens, the Certified Organic, Certified Humane and Free Farmed Programs specify electric stunning prior to slaughter. Painful practices, such as debeaking, and toe or comb clipping are limited in these three programs, though allowed in some cases. These types of practices are also important considerations for higher order animals, such as cows and pigs--which are not covered here due to space considerations--but please note that these different certifications have different requirements for anesthesia use in castration, dehorning and similar practices. For more detailed information go to http://www.upc-online.org/welfare/standards_booklet_FINAL.pdf.

What does the Episcopal Church say about these issues? You may recall that in the 2003 and 2009 Episcopal General Conventions, resolutions were adopted to educate parish members on animal care issues (Resolutions D016 and D015), some relating to factory farming; specifically denounced were sow gestation crates, veal crates, chicken battery cages, foie gras force-feeding practices, overuse of antibiotics and unsanitary animal housing.

So, please do consider the animal treatment when you purchase meat and decide which practices with which you are/are not comfortable. Use the label icons above to help guide you. We have a powerful voice in the marketplace!

In closing, I did not include any pictures because, frankly, they are a powerful turn-off. I don’t like to look at these animals in overcrowded conditions or experiencing some type of pain. However, if we don’t like to look at them, think of the people who must work in these industries. Aren’t we called to help others grow in the love of God? Somehow, I can’t see how this works if the people who must work in these industries are forced to participate in and turn a blind eye to cruelty.

Donna Judkins (for the Earth Stewardship Commission)

On Sunday, February 12, the Rector and leaders of the Membership Commission would like to meet with all parents of preschool-aged children and school-aged children/youth. We’ll gather at 10:15 a.m. during the Sunday School hour in the undercroft (the lower level of the church building). This time coincides with regular Sunday School classes for children and youth. We want to hear from you about your experience of our Sunday School and youth programs and our worship services. We want to hear your suggestions and solicit your help in improving our programs for children and youth. Because we are meeting at 10:15 a.m., two adult education classes – the FOLK Group and the Spirituality of Parenting Group – will not meet on that Sunday. We hope all parents will plan to attend this gathering.