Cindy

Missions and Outreach supports the efforts of many St. James' parishioners who give of their time and talent to Christian organizations and persons in need. This is in accordance with our Baptismal Covenants. Recent contributions have been made to:

-Food for the Poor (St. James' day, July 24, 2005): over $1,900.00 direct from the congregation. The Missions and Outreach Commission contributed an additional $500.00 totaling $2,400.00

-Montgomery County Detention Center: $107.57 for foreign language Bibles for the Detention Center Library.

-Companions in World Mission: $250.00 for missions work in Africa

-"The Word Among Us": $250.00 for Christian Booklets for the prison ministry

-Episcopal Church House: $300.00 to the Bishop's Appeal for outreach work in our local diocese such as to expand congregations, conduct youth events, and minister to children and young adults.

-Manna Food Center: $150.00 to feed the hungry in Montgomery County, with sites in Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Silver Spring and Colesville. Manna needs volunteers to help with food sorting, collection and distribution. If you can help, call Don Schuessler or Manna Food Center at (301) 424-1130.

If you would like to help with any of these programs, please contact Al Ellis at (301) 874-4568 or talk to any Missions and Outreach Commission member or look at the Bulletin insert from Sunday August 14, 2005 for the name of the contact. This insert has been included on the St. James' website, (minus the telephone numbers) and copies are available on the table in the church foyer. Thank you to Bob Graf for our excellent website: www.stjamespotomac.org

Both Manna Food Center and Samaritan Ministries are participating in the 18^th Annual Walkathon. Look for the brochure on the bulletin board in the parish hall if you want to help or participate. Mark your calendars and plan now to participate!

What is Samaritan Ministry? Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington brings together homeless people and others in need to improve their lives. Volunteers from over 40 Episcopal churches and other churches contribute to these efforts.

Samaritan Ministries uses the Next Steps approach, a unique self-help program that promotes change, dignity and self-reliance. Program participants meet with caseworkers to set goals. Goals are broken down to steps so they can be pursued. Goals usually involve employment, housing, family life and/or recovery from an illness or addiction.

Most participants are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Staff provide encouragement, needed information and referrals and other resources. Participants who don’t feel like they have a track record of success get help identifying their strengths and building on them. Those seeking employment attend workshops, prepare resumes and learn to conduct job searches and interviews that lead to jobs. Participants get help with medical appointments, entering treatment programs, and applying for benefits and getting housing.

Samaritan Ministry provides, with help from the DC Health Department, spiritual retreats and support group programs for those living with HIV/ AIDS.

Transitional Housing Corporation (THC) and Samaritan Ministry work together to provide the Next Step program at Partner Arms I and II, apartment buildings where 27 homeless families make the transition to stability, employment and independence.

Financial support comes from partner parishes, such as St. James', and grants, other contributions and events. Prominent events include

the annual Help the Homeless Walkathon, the United Way/Combined Federal Campaign and Samaritan Ministries own Spring Gala.

Samaritan Ministry helps over 300 homeless and disadvantaged people. Each month 15 to 20 people find jobs with the help of Samaritan Ministry.

Volunteers are the heart of Samaritan Ministries programs. Many serve as part-time staff members, usually one morning a week, as front office coordinators, resume writers, workshop leaders, and caseworkers. Others serve on committees, the Board of Directors or get involved with one-day work projects.

St. James' has a long tradition of participating in Samaritan Ministries. For more information contact Jerry Morrison  or Alice Battaile, our Commission representatives to Samaritan Ministry. Volunteers are always needed. There also is a website for more information, www.samaritanministry.org .

Men Wanted (and women, too, but we really need a man or two to balance out the teams!). The St. James' Child Access Transfer Center needs a replacement (is that possible?) for Tom Weko who is departing for a new job in Paris! (Thanks Tom for a job well done!)

Qualifications: Must like children and recognize that the focus of this work is "for the child"; must want to help children and families in a difficult time of family breakup. You will work in teams with a great monitor group that includes Krista Koziol, Billie Jordan, Mike Lash, Jerry Morrison, Krissy Lyons, Sampson Annan, Alice Battaile, and Bob and Mary Quackenbush. Contact Bob and Mary Quackenbushor any monitor. Step up, you can do it!

The July/August edition of Washington Window, the newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, includes an article on page 8 about St. James' Prison Aftercare Ministry. Lucy Chumbley, editor of Washington Window, visited the spring training series one Saturday and spent extensive time observing the session and interviewing the trainer and head of the Aftercare Ministry, James Finch. If you've missed the article and no longer have your copy, you can access it online at:

http://www.edow.org/news/window/julyaug2005/afterprison.html

In late June, 12 youth and 3 adults traveled to Olive Hill, Kentucky, to participate in the Laurel Grove Workcamp. In addition to repairing almost 50 houses of needy residents, workcampers participated in a week of fellowship and spiritual growth through daily devotions, small group meetings, and evening praise sessions. The theme of this year’s camp was Living Inside Out. You can read about and see pictures of our trip at www.stjamespotomac.org. Following are some selected responses to two questions: "What did the workcamp trip mean to you?" and "How are you different as a result of going?"

Silvia Arieira: Workcamp means spending a week with close friends (while meeting new ones) and being able to help people less fortunate. It means growing up, and trying to make a difference, even if it seems like a little one to people looking in from the outside. Workcamp takes you away from all the superficial things in life, and brings you to a holy place within yourself so you can find the real you, not the person you try to be for others around you at home.

Going on this trip taught me to Live Inside Out. I've tried spreading the word to non-believers and see exactly why they're so hesitant. I've grown with God. Last year I went home and thought I had an extremely close relationship with Him, but now I realize it was nothing to what I have now, or to what I want to have in the future. This trip lit a flame inside of me to want to serve God completely and help the ones around me see His greatness.

Luke Haskins: What the work trip meant to me was an opportunity to help others who aren't as fortunate as me. Being that I have had a very fortunate life it felt good to help others who aren't as well off as me and my family. As a result of going, I am not only more hardworking but I am more understanding and appreciative of the lifestyle that I have.

Josh Flint: The work camp trip meant a time in which you work hard but have fun at the same time. It’s a time to get to know your friends better along with God. It meant doing the right thing to help out those in need along with meeting friends. It meant feeling like you were part of a group and of God. And it meant knowing you are liked by your friends

and God. From this trip I always have a brighter look on everything that happens, even the bad. I have learned patience…most of which I use on my sister. I feel more significant because I know now I can make a difference and of course from all the devotions and evening programs I have a much better relationship with God.

Maggie Antonsen: Workcamp is important to me because it helps me become a better Christian by helping out those in need. It is also a good way for me to see how even for those unfortunate people God can still be a huge part of their life. After workcamp each year, I feel a closer bond with God and I get to know members of the youth group and the chaperones on the trip much better.

Carol Barrick: Since Chris had been to workcamps before I thought I knew a lot about them. I was wrong. He tried to tell me, but he did say that I will have to experience it myself to really understand; and now I do. It is unlike anything else I have ever been involved in. It was the most positive experience out there. Like other adults who have been, I was questioned as to why I would want to go anywhere with so many teenagers. They were an absolute delight to be around without being "goody two shoes". They were real and caring and giving and loving and just wonderful—all of them! I am a different person than I was before. I appeared to be "living inside out" and maybe I thought I was. But now I really understand what that means and I am trying to really live it.

Elisa Willems: The workcamp trip meant a whole lot to me. The experience and memories of meeting new people, helping others, being close to God and spreading his word is something I wouldn’t trade for anything. The trip meant that I could make a difference and help people and despite society today I could still be a strong Christian and be close to God. Workcamp definitely helped me change as a Christian and as a person. I had never felt that close and in-touch with God before, and I definably strive more now to include him in my life on a daily basis. One thing that really struck me was on Thursday night when they asked everyone to go around to the five stations quietly, and they did. I can’t think of any other situation where close to 350 teenagers would be dead silent for that long. All the lessons about the fruits of the spirit and Living Inside Out that we had each night stick with me and I consider them in my actions.

Juliana Willems: The workcamp trip was a way for me to grow in my relationship with God. Last year I pretty much found that relationship, so this year and in future years I think I am going to be continuing to find my connection with him and keeping it. It's a way for me to focus mainly on my spirituality for a week, which lets me sort things out how I feel about it, whereas in my normal busy life I don't really have time to think about it. Because of why I go, and the things I go into it wanting to figure out, I definitely am a stronger Christian because of it. I gave up a week to help others. I realized that there are sooo many needy people in the country/world and we should do whatever we can to help out. And throughout the week I grew in my relationship with God immensely. I feel like now I have way more of a connection and a passion to follow his word. I feel like at night I don't need to have to remind myself to pray, now I do it because if I didn't I wouldn't feel right.

Welcome back from your summer vacation. A special "thank you" to our wonderful summer volunteers who kept our program moving forward. We hope everyone is rested and looking forward to our new Sunday School year, which will officially begin on September 11. This is the first Sunday after Labor Day. There will be no Sunday School on Labor Day weekend.

We have a wonderful staff of volunteer teachers again answering their call to share their knowledge of the Bible with our children. Our beloved Parke Brown will be returning to perform his magic in the Children’s Church with assistance from Emily and Robin Roegner. Donna and Phil Willems are teaching the 6th, 7th and 8th grades; Mamie Albrecht is leading the 4th and 5th grade class; the first grade will be taught by Lois Van Nevel; Preschool through kindergarten children were taught by Debbie Opiekun last year and we hope she will return again this fall.

HELP WANTED: Our staff still has a few vacancies that need to be filled. One additional teacher is needed to help in the rotation of the preschool through kindergarten teachers; a lead teacher is needed to teach the 2nd and 3rd grade class and additional people are needed to help out in each classroom. We are hoping that parent volunteers will help with the two-year-old program. Please call Debbie Hokanson or Janice Genter, if you are called to share your talents with the Sunday School.

If you have an 8th grader who is interested in being confirmed, please indicate your wishes by marking the appropriate boxes on the registration form attached to this newsletter.

Please fill out the Sunday School Registration Form included in this newsletter for all children from two years of age through the eighth grade and return it to church on the first day of Sunday School or drop it off at the church office. Thank you.

We look forward to seeing you in September.

God bless,

Janice Genter

Debbie Hokanson

P.S. Mark your calendars for October 14 for our annual Family Hayride at Butler's Orchard!

 St. James' Children's School invites you to our 7th annual auction on Friday, September 23 in the parish hall. Doors open at 4:30 pm for viewing of hundreds of wonderful auction items. We have great trips, restaurant dinners, artwork, gift baskets, children's toys and much more! Enjoy delicious refreshments while you place your bids. Bidding will close by section between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm, with check-out at 8:00 pm. There is no charge to attend - just sign in when you arrive to receive a bid number. No children, please. Questions? Call Mary Lou English at (301) 762-3246.

Sunday Adult Forums will resume on Rally Sunday, September 11 at 9:30 pm in the Parish Hall. On the first Sunday, members of the Christian Education Commission, under the leadership of Karl Bennett) will present the results of the Education survey distributed last June, and seek additional feedback as we plan the fall program. Come give your input and help us discover what will spiritually nurture and feed you. On Sunday, September 18, the rector will report on her sabbatical experience.

Mark your calendars for Thursday September 22! We will be meeting in the Bell Room for Bible study and fellowship starting at 10:30 am. Until 12:30 pm we will study the lectionary for the coming Sunday and some of the sources for our biblical scriptures. Occasionally, we will include topics of special interest to the group.

Bring a bag lunch and some handwork! After a lunch break from 12:30 - 1:00 pm we will form a fellowship craft circle from 1:00 - 2:00pm. Bring your knitting, crochet work, sewing, needlepoint, handwork of any kind, and enjoy a relaxed hour in the company of your St. James' friends. Feel free to come and leave at any time that suits your schedule, whenever and as often as you can.

INVITE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS! We hope to provide babysitting as needed as the program develops, and some help with learning knitting, crochet, embroidery, and quilting from our group of very talented needlewomen. For additional information, contact Mary Ellen Moore

.Welcome Back Elton

We welcome the Rev. Elton O. Smith back to St. James’. Beginning September 5, Elton will begin as part-time assistant rector on our parish staff. In addition to joining Cindy in providing pastoral care to parishioners and in preaching and celebrating the sacraments, Elton will provide more intentional clergy support to our Missions and Outreach ministries, our Stewardship program, our evangelistic outreach to the community, and Planned Giving program. We are thankful for the ministry Elton has already had at St. James’ as the sabbatical supply priest and now look forward to his ministry in our midst come September.

The rector’s Mid-week Bible Study will resume right after Labor Day on Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 pm in the parish hall bell room. This fall we will reflect on our own journey in faith by studying the faith journey of those patriarchs whose stories are found in the book of Genesis. We will focus on one of the patriarchs each month. Everyone is invited to participate in the whole series or in any part thereof.

THE JOURNEY IN FAITH

Our rector, Cindy Baskin, who has just returned from the first leg of a "split" sabbatical leave, will report on her experience this past summer during the Adult Forum, Sunday, September 18, at 9:30 am. If you’re curious about the six weeks she spent at Loyola House in Guelph, Ontario – a period of silence, reflection, and extended prayer during which she undertook the Ignatian Exercises – now is the time to find out and ask questions. She will also address other aspects of her sabbatical time. All are invited to attend. We will meet in the parish hall around the coffee pot.

On September 11, the Sunday evening service will shift to our regular schedule at 5:00 pm. This is an informal, come-as-you-are service that features contemporary music and Holy Eucharist. We’re looking for additional instrumentalists, especially a drummer and keyboard player, to assist with the music leadership. We would also like more singers. If you would like help with this service, contact Cindy Baskin at (301) 762-8040 or speak to her after services.

Coming to a theater near you! "A Technicolor Promise" the story of Noah, the Ark and, of course, the animals! Calling all 3rd through 7th graders to audition for this year’s spring musical. Rehearsals will be Sundays after church during Angel Choir rehearsals for a production that will take place in May during church. Keep your eyes peeled for the audition date announcement!

Seeking singers and ringers of all ages!

Rehearsals to start in the fall:

Jubilation Ringers (children's bells): Sunday, September 11 at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary

Angel Singers (children's choir): Sunday September, 18 after 10:30 am church service in the Choir Room

St. James’ Singers (adults): Thursday September 8 at 7:45 pm in the Choir Room

St. James’ Ringers (adults): To be determined.

We welcome Richard Blumstein, who joined our parish staff on Wednesday, August 3. He will be working four days each week in collaboration with Linda Knutsen, our Office Manager, who will be in the office two days each week. Richard is a nearby neighbor who serves as President of the Regency Estates Citizens Association and creates its newsletter. He recently retired from full-time professional life. Richard has been working hard these last few weeks to learn the office routine of St. James'. Please help us with his orientation by greeting him if you are at the church on weekdays.

Flower lovers will have a unique opportunity this fall to attend a demonstration by Linda Roeckelein, Head of the Cathedral Flower Guild. Ms. Roeckelein is a gifted designer and talented teacher who might even inspire you to join the Flower Guild here at St. James'. The demonstration will take place on Wednesday, October 12, at St. David's Church, 5150 Macomb St. NW, Washington DC. It will cover floral design for sacred spaces and the home. The $50 fee includes lunch and a one-year membership in the National Cathedral Association. Proceeds will benefit the NCA's Regional Growth Initiative. Call Mrs. Barbara Miller at (202) 966-3362 to reserve a place. Call Mary Miers a for a ride or a testimonial about Linda's teaching.

With about 25 St. James’ families participating, we are on track to earn about $3,000 from this program in 2005. More support will mean more income for St. James’ ministry and mission. Buy Giant and Magruder cards or certificates on Sunday mornings, or sign up with Safeway on your computer whether you shop a lot or a little at these stores.

Buy debit cards at church on Sundays. Purchase cards in amounts of $10, $20, $50 or $100 each. Then when you check out, simply swipe the card to take off the amount you spend at that time. It is much faster than cash, credit card or check. The church receives $4 of every $100 in card sales.

Sign up on your computer under escrip.com. We are registered under St. James’ Episcopal Church, ID 500000679. You must provide your Safeway card number and your credit card number. If you were registered in the past, you must renew now, either by calling 1-800-801-4973, or visiting escrip.com and clicking on "Yes! Renew." Each month Safeway sends a check representing a portion of the money you spend that month. The eScrip program also operates at Macy’s, Eddie Bauer and other stores where you may shop. Just ask and use the same credit card you registered.

Magruder’s

Buy certificates at church on Sundays. Purchase them in amounts of $10 or $20 each. Then when you check out, simply use one or more certificates as you would cash. You cannot receive more than 10% of face value in cash change, however. The church receives $5 of every $100 in certificate sales.

This fall the rector will offer a weekend seminar designed for those adults who would like to learn more about the Episcopal Church and have an opportunity for discussion around issues of faith. This course serves as the first step to satisfy the pre-requisites necessary to be baptized, or confirmed/received into the Episcopal Church. This course is especially designed for those with busy schedules. Seminar requisites include:

Attending a Friday night/Saturday workshop on October 14-15

Reading the book, Welcome to the Episcopal Church, by Christopher L. Weber before the weekend seminar -- This book is only 129 pages (an easy read) and will provide the fodder for discussion at the seminar;

For each of the seven chapters in the book, identifying

1. Something new that you found interesting

2. Ways in which your experience of the Episcopal church is either consistent with or in conflict with the view of the author

3. Two questions each chapter raised that you would like to have discussed

! For those intending to be baptized, confirmed, or received, there will be an additional Saturday morning session on October 29.

If you would like to participate in this seminar, please complete the registration form below and return to Cindy Baskin in the church office. Copies of the book are available for either loan or purchase ($12.00) through the parish office.

Name:____________________________________________________Home Phone:________

Work Phone: _____________________________ E-mail: ______________________________

Have you been baptized? _______

If so, please indicate at what church your baptism has most recently been registered:

______________________________________________________________________________

Church Name City State

Have you been confirmed in the past? ______

If so, please indicate the denomination and the name of the church at which this record has most recently been registered:

______________________________________________________________________________

Denomination Church Name City State

For Your Information . . .

The parish staff members are generally available in the church office as follows:

Rector Cindy Baskin Sun, Tues through Fri (late afternoon/evening only, on Wed)

Assistant Rector Elton Smith Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri

Music Director Newton Lewis Sun, Tues through Fri

Office Manager Linda Knutsen Tues and Thurs or Fri on alternate weeks

Office Assistant Richard Blumstein Mon, Wed through Fri

Financial Secretary Lorna Pool Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri (until 2 pm each day)

Director of Youth Don Mullins Sun, Fri

Children’s Ministry Janice Genter Sun

Debbie Hokanson Sun

Beginning September 12, the parish office will be open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Our rummage sales are a major source of parish income to support our ministry and mission, and also a ministry to people in our community.

Plan to contribute: We sell furniture, household goods, dishes and glassware, sports equipment, toys, clothing, kitchen wares, small appliances, linens, arts and collectibles, tools, books, records, tapes. Start gathering your contributions to donate. We will have a shed behind the church around mid-September to receive all you can give. Encourage your neighbors and friends to donate! If you need pick-up, call Rummage Sale Chairperson, Sampson Annan  to arrange pick-up.

Plan to help: The rummage sale is a lot of work! Plan to join our crew during the week of October 3. Look out for Sign-up Sheets for one of the following:

· Prior to sale: Help with picking up items as needed from donors.

· Set-up: Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, October 3,4,5; moving items to parish hall, setting up tables, unloading bags and boxes, sorting items on tables.

· Pricing: Wednesday-Thursday, October 5-6; pricing, i.e., marking a price on every item for sale; we do this in groups so it’s not hard.

· Sale: Friday-Saturday, October 7-8; cashiers, floor help, customer help.

· Special Setup for Clothing and Jewelry Room: Monday-Saturday, October 3-8; setting up clothing racks and tables; sorting out better clothing, pricing it and jewelry; selling it.

· Clean-up: Saturday-Sunday, October 8-9; partial packing up after sale on Saturday; final packing up all leftover items after second church service on Sunday for final distribution to charity.

Sign up now: Please help lighten the load on our work crew by giving some time. Let me hear from you soon as to when you can help so I know what I can count on. Email to  or sign up in the parish hall. Thank you!

The most humanly possible up-to-date calendar of St. James' events and space availability is to be found in the comfort of your own home. Go to www.stjamespotomac.org and click on "calendar." If your event does not appear on this calendar (and this one only)....panic, and then call Newton at the office and he will make sure it gets on the calendar.

Dear Parishioner:

Thank you for taking the time to complete the brief, but important, survey included in this newsletter. We are conducting the survey to better serve the needs of a changing population within our parish. Your input and feedback will help guide the future of St. James’ schedule on Sundays, as well as the content of Christian education opportunities. Kindly return your completed survey form as soon as possible to any usher or to the Church office. The form is also accessible at http://www.stjamespotomac.org/stjames_survey2005.htm