St. James's Episcopal Parish @ Porter Square, Cambridge
March 2nd, 2008
THE SUNDAY NEWS
8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:15 am Sunday School Family Service followed by classes for children from preschool through 12th grade
10:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music
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Readings for March 2nd: I Samuel: 16:1-13 Psalm: 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Prayers |
1st Reading: Susan Rice 2nd Reading: Karen Meridith Prayers: Anne Shumway
Lay Eucharistic Ministers John Hixson, Eric Maynard and Laverne Agard
Acolyte Steve Cox
Welcomer Kate Hornstein
Counters Edward Wu
Flower Guild Carolyn Taylor
Altar Guild Susan Harris
PARKING ALERT!!!!
Two weeks ago on Sunday morning the Cambridge Police ticketed cars parked on Massachusetts Avenue (in the bus stop) and were prepared to tow them. Please be sure to park in a legal spot. The Vestry is working on possible sites for parking which you should hear about soon.
WELCOME
Please welcome Nina Siciliano to St. James's Helping Hand Food Pantry. She comes to the food pantry with lots of experience in helping others. She will begin her job as director this week. Welcome Nina!
ABSALOM JONES SERVICE OF CELEBRATION
An invitation has been extended to all to join the Officers and members of the Union of Black Episcopalians in attending a service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the life of The REV. ABSALOM JONES, the first ordained Black priest in the Episcopal Church. The service is to be held at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 1073 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. The Celebrant/Preacher will be The Rt. Reverend Steven Charleston, Dean and President of the Episcopal Divinity School.
At that time, the FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ISAACS, JR., Parish Lay Leadership Awards of Merit for Outstanding Achievement will be presented to one person of color from each parish in the diocese. The vestry of St. James's has nominated Mark Agard to receive that award. Mark is a 10-year member of St. James's church. During that time he has served on the vestry where he has focused his energy on the administrative aspects of the church. In addition, Mark has served on the search committee of St. James's for the past eighteen months where he was served as co-chair of that committee. Join the service and fellowship with other parishioners on the diocese as we worship with song and celebration.
WARRANT FOR ATTENDANCE
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 2 a special meeting of the voting members of St. James Episcopal Church will be held at the end of the 10:30 service on Sunday March 9, 2008. This meeting of the parish will be for the calling of a rector as set forth under Article V, Section 1.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, MARCH 9TH, 2008
MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Please bring bells to ring before and after the Gospel for this Sunday and the rest of the Lenten season. Men and boys from the congregation are invited to sing a special and simple anthem on March 9th, called "Hava Nashira". It is a lovely round with a Hebrew text. No singing experience is required. We will have a short rehearsal in the Church building immediately following today's 10:30 a.m. service. Please join us!
PALM SATURDAY: An overnight exploration of Holy Week for children and teens.
On Saturday, March 15th, children 4th grade and older are invited to participate in a lock-in sleepover at St. James's. We'll gather at 5PM in the Parish Hall and together cook and eat dinner. Then we will tackle the story of Holy Week from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the trial and crucifixion, and the final victory over death. Art, drama and sharing will inform our imagination and prepare us to welcome the risen Christ. Compline will ease us into what will probably NOT be the most restful of nights. The next morning, Palm Sunday, we will help prepare and serve the Pancake Breakfast closer to each other and much closer to the Story. Each person should bring a sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, toothbrush, etc. Personal stereos are not allowed. Also, please don't bring candy or food unless you bring enough for all. RSVP. Please call Anne to let her know if you can come. Let her know if your child has food allergies, etc.
PALM SUNDAY BREAKFAST
Sunday, March 16th, 2008, Pancake Breakfast, 9:00AM - 10:30AM
Adults $6.50 Children 3-11 $3.50 Seniors: 60+ $3.50 Family of 5 or more $20.00. Tickets will be on sale on both Sunday, March 2nd, and Sunday, March 9th please se Janet Hixson Hobbs after both services. You may also purchase at the door on March 16th.
SHARING JESUS: TALKING THE TALK
On Saturday, March 15 at Boston University Sherman Union the diocese will be offering a learning event featuring Dr. Marcus Borg. It will be a day for reflection and refreshment in community with others who have a desire to listen, learn and explore together themes of deepening personal Christian belief and ways to speak about Jesus and faith. This will be a thought provoking discussion and your questions and opinions will be welcome. Registration is free and you can register on line at www.diomass.org.
ST. JAMES'S MISSION TRIP THIS SUMMER
Looking for a way to deepen your commitment to serve our Lord? Want to make a difference in the continuing aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? St. James's is organizing a mission trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast this summer! Yes, following in Mary Caulfield's footsteps, we have the opportunity to help make a difference in the church's ongoing home-building projects for those most in need along the Gulf Coast. Relief staff workers estimate that the work of rebuilding homes for poor families will continue for at least another 5 years - so our help is needed. Some details of our upcoming trip:
Where: Mission on the Bay Camp, Bay St. Louis, MS (60 miles from New Orleans, run by the Episcopal Church and funded by Episcopal Relief and Development).
When: Sunday, August 17 - Saturday, August 23, 2008
How: Fly to New Orleans, then drive rented vans to the camp
Who: You! This trip is for adults and youth age 13 and up - especially appropriate for youth - boys AND girls - since there is a youth program at Mission on the Bay. We have 20 spaces reserved for St. James's parishioners. A large group from Christ Church, Cambridge, will also be there that week.
What: Work will include helping to build homes at construction sites. Those with building experience are especially needed, however, we will hold training and safety sessions for those who want to learn about construction and handling tools.
How Much: Basic costs per person are approximately $600. However, no one should let a lack of funds prevent them from attending! Our St. James's Mission Committee has pledged $2,000 in scholarship money toward this trip, and with fundraisers, bake sales, frequent-flyer miles and parish sponsors, the cost should be considerably less.
To Find Out More: Come to a first meeting next Sunday, March 9, after church in the Lounge for pizza and program. We hope to have with us a group of youth from Epiphany Church, Winchester, who have stayed at Mission on the Bay and will bring a great slide show of their work. If you can't come to the meeting but are interested....
For More Information: Contact the Rev. Laurie Rofinot, or Carolann Barrett, Mission on the Bay's web address is: www.campcoastcare.com, at the home page click on "youth program."
First Mission Trip Bake Sale! After church on Sunday, March 16th. Pies, cakes, brownies, southern pralines and other goodies (OK on Sundays in Lent), with proceeds going to St. James's mission to the Gulf Coast.
Parish Retreat date set: Mark your calendars for this year's parish retreat, which will be held Friday - Sunday, May 30 - June 1, at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, NH. Look for more information and registration materials in April - and plan to come for a fun and spiritually refreshing weekend.
LENTEN AIDS OFFERING FOR EAST AFRICA
During Lent St. James's asks each parishioner to contribute a dollar a day for the Jubilee Fund of the Diocese of Massachusetts. This Fund supports work with AIDS orphans, victims and caregivers through the Anglican Church in East Africa. Elizabeth Keller and Steve Bonsey have visited the churches involved, and can provide more information. AIDS is an ongoing crisis throughout much of Africa, and will continue to kill people and impoverish families for decades to come. Please be generous.
STEWARDSHIP 2008 - Have you pledged for 2008?
Pledges received as of 3/2/08: 99 Goal: 110
Amount pledged as of 3/2/08: $200,559 Goal: $190,000 (by 12/31/07)
$210,000 (by 08/31/08)
Thanks to all who have pledged so far! Yellow pledge forms are available from the ushers. Pledges can also be made by email to thomastufts@comcast.net or by phone (617) 876-9756. Please increase the value of your pledge by adding a witness! See Tom Tufts for more information.
Parishioner witness: "My love for St. James's comes from a deep place. It is an appreciation for community, diversity, music and the Gospel. It is the first and best place for my journey through and with Christ. Blessed be St. James's!"
Education
OPEN HOUSE FOR INTERFAITH COMMUNITY BOSTON: Forming to provide a safe and neutral space for Jewish-Christian Families, Couples, and Individuals. Interfaith Community, a 20 year-old organization, based in New York City, with chapters throughout the U.S., is developing a Chapter in the Greater Boston area. This spring we are planning to offer a celebration of Passover as well as workshops/classes for lower school children, and children who are "Coming of Age" (ages 12-14). The Interfaith Community serves as a place for interfaith families to connect, and a "safe and neutral space" from which individuals and families may clarify their own journeys--whether that means, "doing both" equally, or affirming a primary role for one tradition. We are hopeful that Interfaith Boston will build bridges to local synagogues and churches. For more information on Interfaith Community, please visit: www.interfaithcommunity.org. RSVP to Kate Hornstein at interfaithcommunity.boston@gmail.com you can also email Kate at this address with any questions.
Open House on Sunday, March 2nd
2-4 p.m.
St. James's Church Parish House
1991 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140
Please bring a snack to share
Children welcome; childcare provided
Our open house is FREE; Future workshops and classes will have membership fees.
The Interfaith Community is a non-profit organization, deliberately independent of any formal religious institutions and representing the needs of interfaith families.
WHY NOT MAKE BIBLE STUDY PART OF YOUR LENTEN LIFE?
"Sunday scriptures in context" Printed notes for February lessons are now available in the vestry or online www.stjames-cambridge.org . Study at home or join the Sunday morning discussion group. This small, informal group meets from 9:15 to 10:15 each Sunday morning in the "Upper Room" above the Parish Hall. The group is for people who want to discuss the Sunday Bible readings and to grow in faith and understanding by sharing their knowledge, insights and questions about the Bible. Visitors, newcomers, occasional and regular participants are all welcome. For more information contact The Rev Judy Gay
Outreach
REFUGEE IMMIGRATION MINISTRY - RIM Cambridge Cluster is welcoming a new client. Her name is Rose Mbanya and she is seeking asylum from Cameroon. Rose is 48 years old and a biology teacher. She also founded a kindergarten in her home country. She studied at the University of Leeds in England. Rose is being treated for breast cancer at Mass General Hospital. Our first priority is to find a suitable place for her to live. If you have any leads on a room that would be appropriate, please call Audrey Bellinger
Parish Prayer List
Those who have asked for our prayers: Ken Holmes, Sylvia Weston, Barbara Butler, Julie Holbrook O'Connor, Eric Sollee, Bobbie Speer, Cindy Boyd & Family, Adam Sahlberg, Dewey Kim and family, Chris Wilson, Scott Walters, David & Andrew, Katherine, Jim & Julia DeBorst, Katherine & Matthew Krister, Cynthia Owen, Mateo Singer-Torres, David Peters, Virginia Finochetti, Betty, Yvonne and Levi, Rosmond Elwin, Robert Wilson, Laura Hallihan, Arne Nystrom, Florence Thompson, The Galindo Family, Emilenne Jules, Bob Massie, Daysha Edewi, Dessima, Evelyn Parks, Roger Shumway, Seymour Papert and Suzanne Massie, Grace Dawe, Lisa McDonnell, Ruby.
And our troops who have died in Iraq from February 20th - February 25th:
Conrad Alvarez, Albert Bitton, Bryant W. Mackey, Jr., Micheal B. Matlock,
Nathan R. Raudenbush, Drew W. Weaver, Keisha M. Morgan, Micheal E. Phillips, Kevin S. Mowl.
And our elder or disabled parishioners: Ebert Agard, Helen Bushner, June Fifield, Mary Mosesian and Jack McMackin.
The Flowers on the High Altar: are given by Edward Humphrey in loving memory of Peg Humphrey on her birthday.
The Flowers on the Chapel Altar: are given by The Constance R. Milton Flower Fund in memory of her brother and his wife, Richard Sweet Milton and Margaret Allen Milton.
And don't forget...
To donate memorial flowers - in memory of loved ones or in thanksgiving for birthdays, anniversaries or other life transitions - please contact Laurie Rofinot, Flower Committee.
Please recycle Sunday bulletins and music! Place them in the containers on the desk in the vestry room or in the containers in the back of the church. Thank you!
Have something to add to the Sunday News? Email Sheila at office@stjames-cambridge.org. by Thursday Noon.
Have an addition or correction to the prayer list? Email Sheila by Friday Noon.
Parish office hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10AM-2PM
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Readings on March 9th: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (David Cameron) Psalm 130 Romans 8:6-11 (Carol Hilliard) John: 11:1-45 Prayers (David Hall) |
