THE SUNDAY NEWS

August 1st, 2010

St. James’s Episcopal Church—Porter Square, Cambridge

 

This Sunday at St. James’s

 

Services:

  • 9:30 a.m. July 18th: Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Readings for August 1:  

  • Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
  • Psalm 49:1-11
  • Colossians 3:1-11
  • Luke 12:13-21

Serving This Sunday:

  • Celebrant:                   The Rev. Holly Lyman Antolini
  • Preacher:                     The Rev. Edwin Johnson
  • Deacons:                     The Rev. Edwin Johnson
  • Acolyte:                       Eric Maynard
  • Chalicers:                    Peter Merrell, Marian King
  • Readers/Intercessors:  J.T. Kittredge, Marian King
  • Welcomer:                  Katherine Farrior
  • Nursery:                      Nursery Caretaker, Desiree Littleton

 

If you would like to volunteer for any of the above ministries, please email or leave a message in the office!

Sunday News Summary

Highlighted Events

Short on time? Here’s a quick list of the most important goings on in the next two weeks. Keep reading for more details!

  • Aug 6 - 28: Holly’s summer vacation; Edwin will be on hand with the pastoral emergency phone.
  • There WILL be Summer enrichment (like Church School) for children on Sunday the 18th and subsequent Sundays after the Baptism though we need volunteers! See article under Education for details.

 

Dates to remember:

  • Aug 7:  Sanctuary Clear-Out! Muscles for heavy pew-lifting needed!
  • Aug 14:  Music Clear-Out! Archives Sorting!  Food Pantry moves to Fresh Pond Apts on Rindge Ave.
  • Aug 21:  Library Clear-Out!
  • Aug 28:  Hospitality & Library Clear-Out!
  • Aug 29:  General Clear-Out!
  • Aug. 29, 5 PM: Young Families’ Picnic at Jean & David Clark’s
  • Sept. 12: Two services at 8 and 10:30 resume; Church School registration
  • Sept. 15: Office staff moves to American Friends Service Committee building
  • Sept. 19, 10:30 AM: Farewell Liturgy for Parish House & Garden
  • Sept. 23, 5 PM: Groundbreaking Ceremony with Oaktree and Bishop Bud Cederholm

 

In general news of interest to the parish:

  • GREAT NEWS!  Fully permitted, we’ve now signed our legal agreement with Oaktree Design Development.  Groundbreaking, God willing, in October!  We’re on our way to our new Parish House and Garden!
  • Get your redevelopment updates here: let Jacqueline know at office@stjames-cambridge,org if you would like to register for the St. James's Online Network

Outreach headlines

  • St. James’s joins the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) on its Move the Money initiative (see below)
  • The Food Pantry needs food donations.  PLEASE BRING NON-PERISHABLES TO CHURCH!  Tuna, peanut butter, canned veggies, pasta, rice etc. all welcome.  See other Food Pantry needs, below.

Ongoing Reminders

  • Please remember to wear your nametags!
  • We are always on the lookout for submissions to The Bell. Next deadline: September 15.

 

 

The News in Detail

 

NURSERY OPEN: NEW CARETAKER IN CHARGE

Our previous Caretaker, Elizabeth Ellen, has had a family emergency and can no longer work for us.  Susie Bowers and Rachel Badger – both certified caregivers – have been filling in.  JOIN US! 


INGATHERING OF MEMORIES OF OUR PARISH HALL AND GARDEN

I remember my son Chris coming into coffee hour with a big grin on his face and some dirt on his shirt from playing football in the garden...I remember Thanksgiving feasts in the parish hall...

How many memories we ALL must have of people, celebrations, rehearsals, talent shows, meetings, square dances, outdoor baptisms, classes, concerts - all happening in building and garden spaces that will soon be gone and changed.  With all these changes, wouldn't it be good to share our memories?

Look for a bulletin board in the parish hall to be devoted to gathering your memories and photographs, coming in early August.  If you prefer to share memories and photographs in electronic ways, send them to  ingathering@stjames-cambridge.org and they'll reach me.  But I say there is nothing wrong with paper and pencil, too!  Please share!   Peace, Carol Hilliard


CHECK OUT REDEVELOPMENT UPDATES ONLINE

If you a registered member in our parish data base, you are welcome to sign up for the new Redevelopment Group on our St. James’s Online Network.  There you’ll find the latest about the redevelopment of our Parish House and Garden, and the logistics of transition during construction.  For example, our temporary transition office for clergy and staff is posted there!  Right now, the materials from our June 6th Gathering are posted under “Files” in the Redevelopment Group.  Click right in to find them!  These materials will help us maintain transparent communication within our congregation.  Public “digests” will be put in our electronic newsletter and elsewhere for more general information.

 

NEW DIGS FOR THE ST. JAMES'S STAFF DURING CONSTRUCTION

Holly, Edwin, Jacqueline, Pat, Hong and our bookkeeper Cindy Rebidue will be hanging out with the American Friends Service Committee at 2161 Massachusetts Ave. (at Milton St. -- wouldn't Connie Milton be glad?) during the construction phase of our redevelopment.  We move in mid-September.  We hope to keep the same phone number we have now, and of course the website and email addresses will remain the same. Nina Siciliano, our Food Pantry Director, will drop in to pick up her mail but her office will be with the Food Pantry at Fresh Pond Apts on Rindge Ave.  THANK YOU STEVE CLARK AND JOAN JORDAN for finding us such a great temporary office space!

BREAKING NEWS ON THE FUNDRAISING FRONT

To the joy of Holly, Edwin, the Wardens and the Vestry, Nancy McArdle and Mark Agard have accepted the call to reprise their dynamic leadership of the rector search by co-chairing our anticipated redevelopment, renovation and furnishing fund-drive!  With the Vestry's consent, they will use John and Mary Alice Bird as their consultants to the process.  Others are praying and pondering joining the committee, John Irvine and Win Barnard having already said, "So be it!"  BLESS YOU NANCY & MARK and your gathering team!

SIGN UP FOR SUMMER COFFEE HOUR

There is an orange sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway outside the church for those who can host a simple coffee hour during the summer.  It’s a great way to get to know people!

 

WOMEN'S MEAL SUMMER SCHEDULE

Anne Shumway and Sarah Forrester are looking for people to fill in for the vacationing cooks in July and August.  Here is your chance to do a one-time good thing, and share a meal with some very appreciative guests.

If you are interested or want to know more about it, you can see me or Anne Shumway after church or call or email me.  Do not be intimidated.  It is easier than you think, and we will help you.  You will be glad you did.

Thanks,  Sarah Forrester  (781) 861-6111 or sforre1953@aol.com

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HYMN?

If you do, and we haven't sung it for a while, please let me know what it is.  We will  sing as many of our favorite hymns this summer as we can!  If your favorite is a Christmas hymn (or other seasonally inappropriate one for summer) please hold onto that one, and choose another one that we might sing.

You can e-mail me at Patrickgmichaels@aol.com.  I will also be available after the 10:30 service this Sunday.  Thank you!

SUPPORT RICHARD KOH IN THE JIMMY FUND WALK

St. James’s member and 8 O’clocker Richard Koh is planning once again to walk in the Jimmy Fund Walk on September 12th.  He would appreciate your signing up to support him with any amount you feel you can give.

Contact Richard at rjkoh@aol.com to sign up or for more information.

FOOD PANTRY HEADED TO FRESH POND APARTMENTS IN AUGUST

Thanks to the diligent work of Helping Hands Food Pantry Director Nina Siciliano, Fresh Pond Apartments manager Scott Cole, and the Food Pantry Board – Tom Tufts, John Hixson, Janet Hobbs, Anne Shumway, Mike Morse, and Sylvia Weston – our Food Pantry has a transitional home during the construction phase of our new parish house: Fresh Pond Apartments on Rindge Ave., near the Alewife T stop!  The Fresh Pond management team is eager to renovate their big community room to suit the needs of our Food Pantry, beginning in mid-August of this year.  Stay tuned: your help will be needed when the time comes to move around the corner!


WOMEN'S MEAL HEADS TO HOPE FELLOWSHIP

Our neighbor the Hope Fellowship Baptist Church on Beech St. has kindly offered space on Thursday evenings, 4 to 6:30 PM, for the Women’s Meal during our construction phase.  We’ll begin there in mid-September.  THANKS HOPE FELLOWSHIP for being such good neighbors!

JOIN OUR HEALING PRAYER MINISTRY?  REQUEST PRAYER?

St. James’s has a small list of people who offer intercessory prayer whenever a parishioner lets us know of a particular prayer need.  We communicate requests very simply by email.  Would you like to join this ministry?  Please let Holly know at rector@stjames-cambridge.org.  Or perhaps you have a prayer request you would like us to add to our intercessions?  Please call or email Jacqueline Francis at 617.547.4070 or office@stjames-cambridge.org, and please let her know whether you’d like to have a name added to the Parish Prayer List, or are requesting intercession from the Healing Prayer ministers, or both.  We’re glad to support our church family in prayer

 

STEWARDSHIP 2010 – NEW RECORD TOTAL- HAVE YOU MADE YOURS?

Please remember to keep your pledge payments up to date!! Thanks.

Pledges received: (as of 7/28/10):  102             total for last year: 107        

Amount pledged:(as of 7/28/10):  $219,466  total for last year: $212,709

Total new pledges(as of 7/28/10):  14             total for last year:  13

Pledge forms for 2010 are available from the ushers.  They can be put in the collection plate when it is passed around. Pledges can also be made by email to thomastufts@comcast.net.   As you prepare to make a pledge, here’s a spiritual challenge: Spend 5 uninterrupted, undistracted minutes of quiet time in God’s presence to ask yourself:  What do I long for at St. James’s? or How I serve God in my community outside of St. James’s. Include your answer on your pledge form under “My Witness” or email it to thomastufts@comcast.net and see it posted anonymously under Stewardship 2010 in the Sunday News. 

Witness of the week “We are active as volunteers with the Somerville public schools.”

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE – TOGETHER WE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS, MONEY & MAYBE THE BIG BANKS!

To help rebuild our communities in the aftermath of the bank-driven recession, St. James continues to work with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) on its Move the Money initiative. The Move the Money campaign’s goal is to stand up for families and communities by moving money out of the largest national banks: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, CitiGroup and Wachovia, targeted for their continued predatory banking practices (exorbitant interest rates, bank overdraft fees, check cashing fees, etc.) to state-chartered, community-friendly local banks and credit unions that have the funds, willingness, motivation and energy to drive economic recovery by supporting local businesses and individual customers.

St. James’ volunteers are attending the GBIO’s special training session on August 4th in preparation for the big launch of November’s Move the Money campaign in eight states!  If you would like more information, to join the training or move your money, please contact Tami Stanton, tami.stanton@gmail.com, or Tom Tufts, thomastufts@comcast.com.

holly on vacation in august

Holly will be away from August 6 through 28.  If you have a pastoral emergency, our Assistant Rector Edwin Johnson will be carrying the church cell phone, 857-998-1777.  The Revs. Tricia DeBeer, Michele Torres and Judy Gay will be our celebrants and preachers for the three Sundays Holly is away; they will provide back-up for Edwin pastorally.

STAY IN TOUCH: JOIN ST. JAMES'S ONLINE NETWORK

In the perfect storm of email, text, Twitter and Facebook, staying in touch as a congregation is a challenge.  We have launched a new St. James's Online Network to offer us the chance to share important information and concerns with each other quickly and easily, and to explore ministry options and hold spiritual and theological conversations in a new way.  We can post prayer requests immediately and directly to the congregation.  We can share advocacy invitations and information on issues we feel called to address out of our Christian compassion.  We will know much more about the broad expanse of ministry pursued with dedication by congregation members outside our church walls. We can organize and manage ministry teams and fellowship subgroups easily.  (The Vestry and the Young Adults group and the Nursery Committee are examples of groups that could be managed through the St. James's Social Network instead of yahoogroups.)  We can post announcements about upcoming events.  And all without waiting to process this through the Sunday News. 

Any congregation member connected enough to have shared their contact information with the Parish Office will be invited to join the network, but the network will be congregation-only, not open to casual visitors.  Holly as Rector, Jacqueline as Office Communicator, and the Communications Committee will be the administrators who monitor network usage and register new members.  They will respond should there be any use of the network that makes another user uncomfortable. A copy of our use policy will be kept in the office to help us shape our network usage for courtesy, safety and productivity. 

Let Jacqueline know at office@stjames-cambridge,org if you would like to register!  The more congregation members we sign up, the better the St. James's Online Network will serve God's mission at St. James's.

WELCOMERS AND READERS NEEDED!

As the St. James’s family grows, we find ourselves needing more Sunday volunteers! If you are interested in participating in the Eucharist as a Welcomer or a Reader, or would just like more information, please contact Jacqueline Francis at office@stjames-cambridge.org.


LITURGICAL VOLUNTEERS

Have you ever thought about what goes on behind the scenes during Sunday morning worship? The preacher has to write a sermon, of course, and the choir practices the music, but what else goes on? During the week volunteers arrive to receive the florist delivery and to arrange the flowers on the altar.  Two people get up to read the lessons and another person leads the prayers of the people. Two people help the celebrant by carrying the cup of wine during the Eucharist. One person carries the cross up the aisle and onto the altar.  Two adults take care of babies in the nursery, and many many adults teach Sunday school.  All in all, each Sunday service requires an offering of time or talent from at least a dozen regular members in order to flow smoothly. Many of these volunteers describe their service as a blessing and a ministry that draws them deeper into the love of God and our community.

If you'd like to offer your help with any of these ministries, please call or email the office.

 

EDUCATION


CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS--ST. JAMES BOOK CLUB

The St. James's Book Club invites you to join us as we begin a new book and discussion series. We come together twice a month to read, reflect and grow in relationship with one another. Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 7:30-9pm. Come, share your voice and get to know others in the church better!

 

A TASTE OF TEACHING

Want to join the Church School and teach in the fall? Edwin Johnson, assistantrector@stjames-cambridge.org, will be supervising the Church School this coming year.  Church School coordinators are Carol Hilliard for the Lower School, carolhilliard1@verizon.net, and Laine Walters Young for the Upper School, malitgnos@hotmail.com.


CHILDREN'S SUMMER ENRICHMENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED -- CONTACT EDWIN

Along similar lines, we would like to, in the spirit of formation, hospitality,  and welcome to offer some separate, children's programming for the rest of the summer. This will involve a team of two heading out to the garden or surrounding area and spending time with the children who are present during the first half of the service. In the past this involves telling or reading a story, having a little discussion and enjoying the natural surroundings. It will also be a great opportunity to enjoy our outdoor spaces before they drastically change. Helpers would arrive at 10:20am, gather the children and take them out once church begins. The children would return for celebrations and announcements and remain for the rest of the service. This ministry will serve our kids and families while also making us more hospitable to the families that visit this summer. If you are interested please contact Edwin at assistantrector@stjames-cambridge.org. Edwin will also circulate a sign-up sheet on Sunday.

NURSERY ASSISTANTS NEEDED FOR SUMMER– CALL JANE

Our smallest St. James’s members – Elizabeth, Walter, Henry and sometimes others, ages 6 months to 3 years – are truly the best. They are fun to be around and- quite honestly- reflect a spiritual presence I find enviable. We and they need 3 or 4 more volunteers to serve as Sunday assistant to our wonderful St. James's nursery caretaker, Elizabeth Ellen. By diocesan rules, we (St. James's) have to make sure that there are TWO adults with our littlest parishioners in the nursery, even when there are only 1 or 2 children present. If you find this task as delightful as I do (I assist once every other month of so) and then you are welcome to join the rota! It means showing up in the nursery at 10:20 (or at 9:10 AM, starting June 20th and continuing through the summer until September 12th) and staying with Elizabeth and the kids until the end of service, usually around noon (or 11 AM in the summer). Please let me know ASAP if you can help!  Jane Hirschi - jhirschi@me.com. 

PRAXIS WITH EDWIN DURING HOLLY'S VACATION

On Tuesday mornings at 7:30am and Thursday evenings at 6 pm, we gather in the Rector's Office for an hour of "spiritual practice" or "praxis." After opening with a brief devotion and a sharing of our gratitude and challenges to gratitude, our time is centered on an exploration of the coming Sunday's Gospel reading using the technique of lectio divina or spiritual reading.

It's a Bring Your Own Coffee (or Tea) event, and we finish in an hour. This is a drop-in event; no preparation is necessary.  Come "taste and see!"  Our Assistant Rector Edwin Johnson will lead PRAXIS during the weeks Holly is away on vacation, August 5 to 28.

 

OUTREACH


BE A PART OF OUR DIOCESAN WITNESS FOR PEACE IN DORCHESTER

We want to let you know of an important ecumenical witness that your bishop is taking part in, and to invite your participation, prayers and support.

•  Community peace walks:  Bishop Gayle and others have committed to training and weekly community walks in Dorchester, organized by the Boston TenPoint Coalition as part of their Season of Peace initiative:  http://www.bostontenpoint.org/seasonofpeace.html.  These ecumenical community walks, which take place on Fridays at 6 p.m., are a witness for peace in violence-ridden neighborhoods.  We ask for your prayers. 

 

HELPING HAND FOOD PANTRY - VOLUNTEERS

The Helping Hand Food Pantry needs helpers to unload food delivery trucks. A truck from Food for Free delivers produce on Tuesday and Thursday about noon and the Food Bank truck arrives on Friday about 10:30. If you could help with unloading boxes or placing food in the pantry, please call the Food Pantry office at 617-876-4381 or email Nina Siciliano, food pantry director at foodpantry@stjames-cambridge.org.

 

HONORING IRAQI CASUALTIES

In case you’re interested, the figures we publish on Iraqi civilian casualties in our weekly prayers come from the website Antiwar.com, courtesy of Benazeer Noorani, member of our Vestry.  We’ve noticed that they are struggling financially and thought you might want to know that, as they serve us well.  You can donate funds to the website here: http://antiwar.com/donate/.  Thank you!

 

OUR COMMUNITY PRAYERS…

 

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Prayers for loved ones near and far are very important.  Sometimes, however, people forget to update us in the office about those on our weekly prayer list.  Holly and Jacqueline will update the prayer list on the first Sunday of every month. If you wish your loved ones to remain on the list for the next month, please let us know by noon of the last Thursday of the previous month that you wish us to continue our prayers, and we will keep their names on our list.  THANK YOU!

 

We pray for those who have asked for our prayers:  Douglas Humphrey (son of Ed Humphrey), Vickie Tan, Adesanye St. Cine, Caroline Morgan, Katie Ellingburg, Wood Tate, June Fifield, Randi Holmes, Emily Sunderland, Callan Burchill, Mateo Singer-Torres, Sarah Larson, Robin Nick (Ross Speer’s niece), Lyde Robinson Engstrom (Susan Robinson’s mom), Pat Haynes, Cynthia Owen, Sandra Ryeom and her family, Edd Jordan, Shirley Fridye, Robert Rose, Steve Jansen, Alison, Natalie and Jessica Sollee, Miriam Joseph, Lois Harder, Sonya Shumway, Judy Brown, Susanne Carrington, Lauren Sullivan, Hesung Koh, Judith Carroll, John Carleton, Andrew Joseph McNerney, Bob Massie, Ellen Shapiro, Bettye Hunter, Ken Holmes, Amanda Harder, Marian King, Ebert Agard, Marie, Constance, & Lydge Lahens, Florence Stanley, Arne Nystrom, Nina Siciliano & Family, Robert Blake, Barbara Butler, Jodi Mikalachki, Karen Coleman, Emilienne Jules, Roger Shumway, Lisa McDonnell.

We pray for those who have died: those who died in the Blue Air crash in Pakistan; the 140 Iraqis who were killed, and the 357 Iraqis who have been injured in the past week, but whose names have not been recorded. We also pray for all Afghanistanis and Pakistanis killed or injured because of war. We pray for US American servicemen who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past week:  Justin B. Allen, Anibal Santiago, Robert N. Bennedsen, Christopher L. Eastman, Joe L. Wrightsman, Paul J Miller, Brian F. Piercy, Julio Vargas, Mario D. Carazo, James M. Weis, Andrew Hand, Joseph A. Bauer, Daniel Lim, Conrad A. Mora, Frederik E. Vazquez, Michael L. Runyan, Christopher J. Antonik, Nathaniel D. Garvin, Christopher J. Moon, Sheldon L. Tate, Christopher T. Stout, Christopher S. Goeke, Brandon M. King, Zachary M. Fisher, Matthew J. Johnson, Jesse D. Reed, Chase Stanley, John H. Jarrell, Dave M. Santos, Justus S. Bartelt, Matthew W. Weikert, Jordan E. Tuttle, and for all soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and veterans who are recovering from physical and mental harm sustained in the war.

To donate memorial flowers – in memory of loved ones or in thanksgiving for birthdays, anniversaries or other life transitions – please contact Carolyn Taylor, Flower Committee at 617-623-2631 or email her at jtaylo7026@aol.com

 

And Don’t Forget:

The Bell

We are putting news articles and the Rector’s Bell Letter on the website, along with our liturgical schedules and other information.  The Bell will be drawn every other month from the materials posted.  Go online to http://www.stjames-cambridge.org/ and check it out!

Anyone feel called to a ministry of communication?  Give Holly Antolini a call or an email at rector@stjames-cambridge.org.

Want to sign up for the Bell? Be sure to enter your email address on the parish website at http://www.stjames-cambridge.org/news-events.  If you already get the Sunday News, you should be on The Bell's email list already.

Thanks for Wearing Nametags

Please remember to wear your nametag and help encourage others to do so, too. Wearing our nametags is important as a gesture of hospitality to every person who walks into St. James's, newcomers and old friends alike. Nametag supplies are in the vestry and the entries into the sanctuary

Parish Calendar

If you plan an activity and need to reserve time and space on the Parish Calendar, please email Jacqueline at office@stjames-cambridge.org or phone her during office hours. Or come into the office to make arrangements and to leave contact information: name, phone number and email address.

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!

Please use Holly’s office email – rector@stjames-cambridge.org -- for all St. James’s emails, rather than her home email address.  She is ALWAYS available in an emergency at 1-857-998-1777.

Holly’s “days off” are Friday & Saturday.  She’ll be in the office Monday midday, and Tuesday through Thursday, if you need to reach her.  And Sundays, OF COURSE!

All announcements for the Sunday News must be submitted by Wednesdays at noon.
Email Jacqueline at office@stjames-cambridge.org.
Have an addition or correction to the prayer list?  Email Jacqueline by Wednesday at noon.
Parish office hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 10AM-2PM

Readings for August 8:

  • Genesis 15:1-6
  • Psalm 33:12-22
  • Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
  • Luke 12:32-40