"First the Good News" A radio news broadcaster several decades ago always opened his broadcast with a headline voice proclaiming "There’s Good News tonight!"

I’ll start off with the good news that St. James’ entered June with a cash flow of income versus expenses in balance. Because we’re now in the summer season when people are apt to be somewhat casual about pledge payments, it’s good that we can have this momentum to sustain our ability to pay bills promptly in the weeks ahead.

That’s just one example of the Good News from St. James’. Sunday morning aggregate attendance through June is slightly over the same dates last year. One of the recent highlights was Youth Sunday on June 12 with spirited services attended by so many children and parents! And read more in this "Pilgrim" about the special St. James’ Day service planned for July 24!

An increase in the number of children and youth is always a harbinger of parish "good news." And there is a harbinger of good news in the Commission and Vestry planning that’s begun for the church "New Year" which traditionally begins after Labor Day. When Cindy returns I think she will come back into a strong congregational momentum in worship, stewardship, mission outreach and education.

These are some of my observations and reactions from just a few weeks here, filling in for Cindy until August 14. You can gather that I am really enjoying being part of the life of this congregation. There is a positive, future-oriented purpose and spirit in the parish and its leadership. That has been encouraging and welcoming to me, and I’m sure encouraging and welcoming to other newcomers here.

There are probably many reasons for all of this. One, I think, is intentionality about communication. In the movie "Cool Hand Luke," Paul Newman heard the prison warden say to him, "what we have here is a failure to communicate." There is something that is very destructive about a failure to communicate. But what I see and feel here at St. James’, as I read the email traffic to and from Vestry members, for example, is a desire to keep in touch with each other and to plan expectantly together for the future.

Isn’t it true that "telling the Good News" is what spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about? Evangelism has been simply described as "one hungry beggar telling another hungry beggar where to get food." That’s the truest measuring stick for the Good News coming out from here on Seven Locks Road. I invite you to share in passing it along!

Elton Smith

The Missions and Outreach Commission 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. Thank you.

Contributions during this month, within the Missions and Outreach approved budget, and from parishioners’ contributions, have been made as follows:

-Payment to the International Bible Society for the purchase of Bibles for the Prison Ministry;

-Contribution of $5,000 from the Commission for Tsunami Relief and $350 from members to Episcopal Relief and Development;

-Contribution of $41.00 from the Good Friday offering was made to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society for the Church in the Holy Land;

-Contribution of $200 to support Kevin Crumpler’s Project Impact missionary work in the Chicago suburbs;

-Contribution of $500 to the Center for Student Missions to support the missionary work and ministry of Paul Randall in Houston;

-Contribution of $500 to the Life Skills Workshop in Bethesda, an organization that helps women re-enter the workforce after incarceration.

If you would like to get involved with these or any of the other organizations we support, please contact Alfred Ellis, Chair, Missions and Outreach Commission

Have you done it? Put your affairs in order? If not, this summer is a good time to get busy.

1. Review your legal documents, if you have wills, trusts, directives, powers of attorney.

2. If they are old, consult your attorney about changes that may be needed. Our young families especially need to protect minor children. Many things change for everyone over the years.

3. If you do not have any documents, call an attorney NOW and get started. If you don’t know an attorney, ask your friends and relatives, or refer to a list in the church folder titled "Planning for Those You Love: Family, Friends, Church." If you did not receive this folder at our workshops in 2002, and would like one, please call the church office.

4. Pull your folder out of the pile of good intentions, and complete all the tasks recommended in that folder: legal, financial, spiritual.

5. Forward the guidelines for your final services to Cindy for her files.

6. Consider a way to help carry on the ministry and mission of your church through a bequest or other planned gift. Have you remembered St. James’ in your will?

7. Feel free to ask for help through the church office if you have questions. We will call you back.

8. Celebrate your summer of good intentions achieved!