May 19th, 2013
Feast of Pentecost, Holy Baptism & Eucharist
St. James’s Episcopal Church—Porter Square, Cambridge
BLUE = NEW ARTICLES, below!
 
This Sunday at St. James’s 

• 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I in the Chapel
• 10:30 a.m. Eucharist Rite II with Music

The Lectionary for Sunday, May 19^th: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35, 37b; The Holy Gospel: John 14:8-17 (25-27)
 
Serving Sunday, May 19th:  Presider/Preacher: Rev. Holly Lyman Antolini; Deacon: Rev. Edwin Johnson; Reader: Susan Donnelly; Acolytes: Eric Maynard and Marian King; Chalicers: Mark Yoder, Eric Maynard; Welcomers: Susana Zamos, Tiffany Curtis; Nursery: Shari Moy, Teodora Kalcheva; Minster of Music: Pat Michaels

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

• May 17^th: BAKE A PIE FOR THE PIE SOCIAL @ THE FOOD FESTIVAL! Bring it to St. James’s at the 10 AM drop-off, May 18^th!
  
•  May 18th at 2 PM:  Helping Hand Food Pantry FOOD FESTIVAL at Fresh Pond Apartments, 362 Rindge Ave.; 3 PM: Pie Social and Contradance! DON’T MISS IT! 
  
•  May 19th: PENTECOST SUNDAY! Meg Aukeman, Jonathan MacLaughlin, Christopher McCullough, Guy Evans & Kazue Murata are baptized! We COMMISSION our NEW ASSOCIATE, Judith Atkinson! WEAR RED!
  
• May 21^st, 7:30 AM: PRAXIS devotional bible study, Holly’s office
  
• May 21^st, 7 PM: monthly Vestry meeting in the Parlor at 2161 Mass Ave.·         
  
• May 23^rd, 4 PM: The Women’s Meal at Hope Fellowship Church, Beech St
  
• May 26^th: Church School Graduation!  And after the 10:30 service, a Farewell Celebration for Edwin & Holly as Edwin’s Urban Residency is completed & Holly departs for a four-month sabbatical.
  
•  June 2nd: Edwin’s last Sunday
  
•  June 9th: 9:30 SINGLE SERVICE ONLY! the Rev. Judith Atkinson’s first Sunday; Davis West’s baptism
  
•  June 14^th-16^th: the ANNUAL PARISH RETREAT at Barbara C. Harris Camp in NH!
  
•  June 16th: the Rev. Tricia De Beer presides at 9:30 service; Judith away at annual Parish Retreat at the Barbara C. Harris Camp

 
Ongoing Reminders

• Please remember to wear your nametags! Lots of newcomers will be joining us for the first time at this time of year: please make them welcome!

WE NEED TWENTY PIES FOR THE FOOD FESTIVAL PIE SOCIAL AND FOLK DANCE!!!
Come all you brilliant pie chefs! We need your masterworks for the St. James’s Pie Social at the Helping Hand Food Pantry Food Festival, Saturday May 18^th!  We’re expecting anywhere upwards of 200 attendees, so that’s a LOT of dancers!  Can you make one, two, maybe even THREE pies to share with the winning dancers?  Please call Holly at 857.998.1777 or better, EMAIL HER with your pie offer!  We’ll plan to have a pie drop-off at 10 AM the morning of Saturday May 18^th at the church, where Holly is officiating at a wedding.  You can bring your pie there in the morning, then attend the Food Festival and win someone else’s in the folk dance that afternoon!

 
Judith will be overseeing the Nursery, Church School, and Family Ministry at St. James's, in addition to joining the worship ministry.  During Holly's sabbatical from June 1 to Oct. 1, Judith will also be St. James's sabbatical interim.  As Judith has had long-laid plans to visit her parents in England from June 23 to Aug. 12, the Revs. Katie Rimer, Judy Gay, Michele Torres & Bob Massie will preside on those mid-summer Sundays, joined by the Rev. Tricia De Beer and others.
 
REJOICE! EDWIN CALLED AS PRIEST-IN-CHARGE AT ST. MARY’S DORCHESTER! 
Hello saints! In the wake of the exciting news of Judith joining the St. James's community I am excited to announce that I have been called as Priest-In-Charge at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Dorchester. It is a diverse and service-oriented congregation (sound familiar) that is poised to deepen its community involvement and grow. I am excited for this new and exciting challenge and I am grateful to all of you for your interest around my employment and for the nearly three years of mentoring and partnership that you have offered me in preparation for this moment. As I will not be far away I look forward to seeing you all at Diocesan events. Susan and I will also remain in Cambridge and I will continue lessons with Pat so I look forward to continuing to run into you all from time to time. Please pray for me and the community of St. Mary's as we begin our ministry together and please come on out, break bread, and celebrate with me as I enjoy my last four weeks as your Assistant Rector.
 
MORE GREAT NEWS: TIFFANY CURTIS, CHAPLAIN RESIDENT NEXT YEAR!
Our wonderful Micah Fellow Tiffany Curtis, who works with us till almost the end of June, writes: I just found out last night that I continue on in Boston next year as a Chaplain Resident at Brigham and Women's Hospital! Hurrah!  Both Edwin and Tiffany still within shouting (or singing and dancing?) distance next year!
 
A DEANERY/SISTER-CHURCH EVENT THAT HONORS THE VOICE OF OUR OWN ANTI-OPRESSION TEAM
When Martin Luther King came to Cambridge, in the spring of 1967, he held an historic press conference in Cambridge. Building on his legendary sermon at Riverside Church a few days earlier, King came to Cambridge to issue a new call: one as important in some ways as his “I Have a Dream” speech, one that would link the civil rights and antiwar and antipoverty workers across the nation in a new common crusade for justice, equality, and peace.  On May 20^th, join Harvard professor Lani Guinier, co-founder of Vietnam Summer Gar Alperovitz (who introduced King at the 1967 press conference), and State Rep. Byron Rushing, a legendary MA civil rights and antiwar legislator, in an intimate conversation as they discuss why King came to Cambridge, what he hoped to achieve, and what has (and hasn’t) been accomplished since he issued that challenge.  By special arrangement, the conversation will take place in the room at Christ Church Cambridge where King spoke. Monday, May 20th, limited seating, doors open to public at 6:45pm.Christ Church Cambridge, Zero Garden Street, Cambridge. Convenient to Harvard Square T; street parking available. Handicapped accessible. For more information: 617 876-0200
 
CELEBRATE FAREWELLS WITH HOLLY & EDWIN ON SUNDAY MAY 26^th!
Sunday May 26^th is Holly’s last Sunday before her four-month sabbatical begins.   Because Edwin’s Urban Residency ends on June 6^th, he will be with St. James’s one more Sunday after that, but we’re going to celebrate both farewells together after the 10:30 service on May 26^th.  Make sure you’re here to express your appreciation to Edwin for his three years with us!  And keep Holly in your prayers as she journeys in England, Scotland, Maine, Vermont and Italy before returning to St. James’s on October 2^nd!
 
CLIMATE WORK PARTY ON JUNE 1^st!
Come join us for our Saturday June 1 energy efficiency work party!  Here is the link to sign up for the work party! Come roll up your sleeves between 10-12 on June 1, and then feast on a lovely lunch together with the community volunteers who will be joining us. This is a great opportunity to learn some specific skills you can use in your own home or workplace to save money and lessen your carbon footprint! Contact Micah Fellow Tiffany Curtis (curtis.tiffanym@gmail.com) with any questions!
 
HOLLY LEAVES ON SABBATICAL MAY 31^st; EDWIN’S LAST SERVICE ON JUNE 2^nd
Holly will be in the office until Thursday evening May 30^th, then leaves for England and her sabbatical on Saturday morning June 1^st.  Edwin has one more week with us, and will preside at the June 2^nd services.
 
9:30 AM SINGLE-SERVICE SUMMER SUNDAYS BEGIN JUNE 9^th 
Every summer, we move from the two-service Sunday schedule to a single service at 9:30 AM. This year, that schedule commences on Sunday June 9^th.  Don’t forget to mark the time change on your calendars!
 
ST. JAMES’S CLERGY PROVIDE SABBATICAL WORSHIP THIS SUMMER!
What a blessing to have such a gifted community of clergy in the congregation at St. James’s!  While Holly is on sabbatical and Judith Atkinson, our Sabbatical Interim and new Associate Rector for Church School & Family Ministry, is fulfilling a promise to visit her elderly parents in northern England from late June to mid-August, our very own priest associates will be supplying Sunday worship and carrying the emergency pastoral phone for St. James’s!  Here’s the draft schedule for worship during that time:
     June 16^th – Tricia De Beer
     June 23 – Michele Torres with Tiffany Curtis, preacher
     June 30 – Judy Gay or the Rev. Chris Fike
     July 7 – Judy Gay or the Rev. Chris Fike
     July 14 – Bob Massie
     July 21 - Katie Rimer
     July 28 - Katie Rimer
     Aug. 4 - Judy Gay 
     Aug. 11- Judy Gay
Judith will return from England in time to preside on Sunday August 18^th and will continue to preside until Holly’s return on October 2^nd.
 
GETTING CONNECTED @ ST. JAMES’S
 
Looking for a way to go deeper in your relationship with God? New to St. James’s? New to church? Consider a small group.  Try one of our three weekly bible studies or perhaps the every-other-week book group. Join our ongoing Exploring Our Faith, or our new Lenten Episcopalians 101 Class, with the New Church Teaching Series.  Or look outward and get active: join the team working on health care initiatives with GBIO, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.  Or the Prison Ministry team.  Or cook and share meals with local women in The Women’s Meal.  (Scroll down to “OUTREACH” below!) 
 
There are lots of ways to get connected at St. James’s, find friends, and cultivate your relationship with God in the process.  Give Assistant Rector Edwin Johnson (857.998.1461), Micah Fellow Tiffany Curtis (909.525.5305) or Rector Holly Antolini (857.998.1777) a call and make a date for a conversation and discernment about your call to join our common journey toward God.
 
SUNDAY NEWS: ARE YOU CONNECTED?
If you are a member of St. James's but not yet receiving the weekly emailed Sunday News, please make sure we register you! 

To get the Sunday News, go to our website, www.stjames-cambridge.org, and click “This Week’s News,” at upper right corner.  That will give you this week’s news, and a way to sign up to receive future News in your email. 
 
ST. JAMES’S ENTERS THE ERA OF FACEBOOK!
Check out and “like” our brand-new Facebook page for St. James’s Episcopal Church Cambridge MA!  You’ll find it at https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchCambridgeMa
 
BIBLE STUDY  & BOOK GROUPS
 
THE ST.  JAMES’S BOOK CLUB TUES., JUNE  11 - “CHRISTIANITY AFTER RELIGION”
The Book Club has chosen Diana Butler Bass’s latest book, Christianity  After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening, as its new selection.  What the critics say: “Of Bass’s many excellent books, this is the most substantive, provocative, and inspiring yet… It leads to a powerful finale of sage guidance for the future.” Brian D. McLaren, author of Naked Spirituality.“An important and life-giving book, written by …one of our finest religious writers.”  Parker Palmer, author of Let Your Life Speak.  Our next meeting will be on TUESDAY,  JUNE  11.   Please read the introduction and first chapter, “The End of the Beginning,” in preparation.  We meet in the first floor conference room at 2161 Massachusetts Avenue from 5:45 – 7:15 in the evening on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. NOTE: The Book Club will be on break May 28.  For more information contact Saskia at saskiakali@gmail.com.  If you would like to be a virtual member of the Book Club, please read along with us and post your comments via email.  Thanks for your interest.
 
SUNDAY BIBLE GROUP WELCOMES YOU, 9:15 AM IN THE VESTRY ROOM
Come join our informal group meeting to discuss the appointed Sunday scriptures in the hour before the main Sunday worship service. We will share our questions, knowledge and ideas as we consider what each passage meant in its historical and Biblical contexts and then what we hear the spirit saying to us in our present liturgical, social and personal contexts. We will meet at 9:15 in the vestry room, to the left of the sanctuary and finish by 10:15 so that people can set up for the nursery.  For more information contact us at 617-547-0838 or judyjohngay@comcast.net  --Judy and John Gay
 
PRAXIS LECTIO DIVINA BIBLE STUDY GROUP ON TUESDAY MORNINGS 
On Tuesday mornings at 7:30am, we gather in Holly’s office at 2161 Mass Ave., at the corner of Milton St., for an hour of "spiritual practice" or "praxis." After opening with a brief devotion, our time is centered on an exploration of the coming Sunday's Gospel reading using the technique of lectio divina or spiritual reading, letting God’s Word address our lives, and listening to our lives open the Word. 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.  The awning door on Milton St. will be unlocked.  Come "taste and see!"
 
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE  
 
KATIE MASSIE’S FIRST STRAIGHT PLAY… ONLY THE PART ISN’T!
May 17^th & 18^th:  Katie Massie opens in The Laramie Project at BB&N School, 80 Gerrys Landing Rd  Cambridge, MA 02138, at 7:30 PM.  A tough, thought-provoking & excellent play for only $5!
 
INTERFAITH MARRIAGE AND PARENTING: ISSUES, QUESTIONS AND CHALLENGES
Bring your questions and reflections on Sunday, May 19th, 2-4 p.m., to an Interfaith Community Boston discussion about issues interfaith families face. Based on the 25-year experience of the Interfaith Community, the presenters will lead an interactive conversation about the full range of interfaith family issues - including educating children, celebrating the holidays, addressing theological differences, and dealing with extended family. After meeting in Cambridge the past five years, we are trying something new and meeting in Natick this spring with an eye to expanding events there in the fall. An independent voice for Jewish-Christian families since 1987, the Interfaith Community has carved out new ways to meet the real needs of today's religiously-mixed families.
 
Welcome and comments: Rev. Ian Mevorach, Common Street Community Church
Discussion leader: Interfaith Community President, Dr. Sheila Gordon
For children, an educational program focusing on Pentecost and Shavuot will be provided. 
Common Street Community Church, 13 Common Street, Natick, MA
RSVP: interfaithcommunity.boston@gmail.com or 212-870-2544
$25 per family; $15 per couple/individual; FREE for members of Interfaith Community and Common Street Community Church
www.interfaithcommunity.org
 
LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR PHOTO IN THE NEXT DIRECTORY
Do you ever struggle to match a name to a familiar face? Or receive an email from someone and feel unsure about who they are? Or do you just enjoy seeing the smiling faces of your church family? The good news is...a new digital church directory is coming your way--with pictures!! But first, we need your pictures! SEND JPEG’S to Claire Raphaelson in our office, at office@stjames-cambridge.org! Please reply as soon as possible, as we want to complete the directory and email it to you before summer begins. The directory will only be available to church members, and will be an electronic .pdf format emailed to you. If you want to print your own copy at home, feel free! Thank you for helping with this important community-building project!
 
THE PARISH RETREAT WILL BE JUNE 14-16! PLAY ISN’T JUST FOR KIDS!  
Your parish family at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center will be enjoying a weekend of exploration of the foundation stories of our faith with Kim Messenger as our guide.  Plus great food, fun times, praying the daily office, bad jokes, trying new things, and deeply spiritual rest.  Singles; families; entire clans are involved. For more information, contact Liz McNerney at liz_mcnerney@yahoo.com or 617.492.6550.
 
APRIL 2013 BUDGET UPDATE: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR PLEDGES ARE UP TO DATE!
Your generosity in pledging this year was remarkable, and is essential to funding our new Associate’s position. BLESS YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY TOGETHER!
That said, through the first four months of 2013, the parish is maintaining a surplus, but is not performing as financially anticipated. As shown below, we are under targets for revenues (pledge income) and above targets for expenses through April 2013.
 
St. James's Budget Summary - April 2013
           
                         Budget - to - date        Actual        
Income             $228,605.00                $206,674.21  
Expense           $166,933.00                $172,782.33  
Results            $61,672.00                 $33,891.88     
 
Driving this differential is lower than budgeted congregational (pledge) income. Through 4 months, only $82,000 has been received of the $262,000 pledged/budgeted. Although there remains no imminent "risk" to the parish, it is clear that congregational giving has not come in quite as anticipated. 
 
Congregational Giving       $ Amount          % of total
Through April Actual            $82,821.68        31.5%
Anticipated Through April    $112,400.00      42.8%
Total for 2013                   $262,670.00    100.0%
 
We note that many are behind on monthly pledge payments. Please make sure that you are keeping up with your pledge payments regularly, so that our cash flow remains strong as Judith begins work and Holly is on sabbatical. In return, we pledge to you that we will get a mid-year pledge statement out in the first part of July and are working diligently to even do it more frequently.
Expenses are slightly higher than anticipated. This is mainly in three areas: telecommunications, natural gas, and legal consulting for redevelopment. There are a few areas over budget, a few areas under budget, but nothing to worry too much about after the first four months. Please feel free to pull either of us aside at service if you have any questions.
 
John Irvine, Treasurer
Michael Walters Young, Chair of the Finance Committee
 
GOT PROBLEMS WITH YOUR END-OF-YEAR PLEDGE STATEMENT? 
Occasionally a check gets lost or assigned to the wrong part of our finance ministry, and you may find a discrepancy between your records and ours on your pledge statement.  If you have a concern, please write our faithful treasurer John Irvine directly at jkwalie@yahoo.com and he will address the problem as soon as possible. If you know the specific corrections that should be made to your statement, please include that information in your message. As always, we deeply appreciate your support, financially and in so many other ways, too!
 
VESTRY GOALS AND COMMITMENTS TO THE PARISH
This year, the Vestry committed to a covenant and norms that will guide us over the course of the year. We also agreed to three goals: 
 
1. Have as flourishing a parish in October 2013 as in October 2012
2. Communicate using the Vestry liaison program to have ministries articulate their purposes
3. Cultivate the next generation of leadership at St. James’s.
 
To achieve these goals and fulfill our other duties as leaders of and from the parish, we have agreed to have a series of one-to-one conversations with the leaders of each ministry and program in order to facilitate two-way dialogue. We will communicate major actions from the monthly Vestry meetings here in the Sunday News before the official minutes are published on the website. Whether you currently serve in a leadership position in one of the many St. James's ministries and programs or haven't been called (yet), we not only want, but need to hear your voice. So turn to the last page of each Sunday's bulletin and you will find any number of ways to contact us, your Vestry! 
 
VESTRY WORKS ON SABBATICAL PLANS AT MAY MONTHLY MEETING
The St. James’s Vestry will be celebrating Judith’s new beginning with us at their May 21^st monthly meeting at the 2161 Mass Ave. offices at 6 PM, followed by their monthly meeting from 7 to 9:30 PM, which will focus largely on establishing a clear roster of leaders for all the ministry program areas during Holly’s sabbatical this June to October.  Look for a bulletin board in the rear of the church, and on the website, to learn which congregation member is heading up which program area!
 
CLAIRE RAPHAELSON, OUR OFFICE MANAGER!
Brooklyn native Claire Raphaelson is our Office Manager at St. James’s, after two years in Admissions and Student Services at the Longy School of Music. Claire is also a professional singer and has served as soprano section leader at the Parish of the Good Shepherd in Waban for over four years. (So she knows former St. James’s member and now ordained priest Regina Walton, who serves there!) She received her MMus in Historical Performance from Longy and her BMus in Vocal Performance/Music History from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.  Working at St. James’s permits Claire to pursue her chosen calling as a singer.  Call her at 617.547.4070 or email her at office@stjames-cambridge.org and say “Hello!”
 
ANTI-OPPRESSION TEAM REACHES OUT TO THE CONGREGATION IN ITS SECOND YEAR
The Anti-Oppression Team is in its second year, and its members would love to hear from others in the congregation about their experience of the recent Lessons and Carols, as well as how we might best serve the church and community. To this end, we want to reach out to you. So, if someone approaches you to have a conversation about this topic, don't be bashful!
 
The Anti-Oppression Team is guided by the following values:
-Inspired by our Christian faith, we desire to draw closer to God and help create a Beloved Community in our diverse congregation.
-We aim to examine and address prejudice and institutional oppression while, simultaneously, learning to value and celebrate social and cultural differences.
-In doing so, we strive to increase understanding of others, particularly those outside our own social groups, and foster Christ-like, universal compassion. -- Clayton McClintock, Co-Chair
 
WELCOME NEW AND RETURNING VESTRY AND REPRESENTATIVES!
Thank you to the St. James's Parish Nominating Committee and THANK YOU THANK YOU to all who have put themselves forward to be elected to lead at St. James’s in 2013.
Vestry Officers 
Sr. Warden – Carol Hilliard
Jr. Warden – Sylvia Weston
Clerk – Isaac Martinez
Treasurer – John Irvine
 
Vestry Members-at-large
Steve Clark  ‘13
Warren Huber ‘13
Lucas Sanders ‘13
Joanna Kline ‘14
Iselma Carrington ‘14
Marian King ‘14
Saskia Grunberger ‘15
Susan Rice ‘15
JonTom Kittredge ‘15
Convention representatives confirmed for nomination  
Sylvia Weston
Katherine Farrior
Deanery representatives confirmed for nomination
Jonathan Povilonis
Marian King
Episcopal City Mission Representatives confirmed for nomination 
Tom Tufts
Gwen Crevensten
 
HOLLY PLANS A SABBATICAL, SUMMER 2013
Can you believe it? As of April 24^th, I have been your Rector for five years!  Where did that time go?!?  The diocese, always concerned to sustain the well-being and spiritual grounded-ness of our clergy, requires congregations to support their clergy for a sabbatical once every five years.  I had been planning to postpone mine, hoping we would begin construction on our new parish house in fall 2012. The current appeal of the Historic Commission permit, even though it is groundless and will ultimately fail, will hold us up at least until fall 2013.  So I realized I needed to take my sabbatical right away, so as to return in time for construction to begin. 
 
I plan to leave on June 1st and return on October 1st, 2013.  I am taking drawing classes to prepare for my project, which is to use drawing with pastels as a way of praying through the beauty of nature as an icon of God's bounteous creativity and generosity to us.  I intend to do this at my home in Maine and up in Vermont.  I've also been invited to be part of an artists' retreat in Tuscany in September, and intend to join family and friends in England and Scotland for part of the summer, for more drawing.  I'll be studying with two artist-friends, Mallory Bratton Rich in Vermont and Marguerite Fletcher, a friend from California who leads the Italy retreat each year. The diocese has offered me some financial assistance for my travel.

St. James's Vestry will spend some time outlining a sabbatical project for YOU to undertake while I'm away!  It's possible that we may be able to convince the diocese to extend Edwin's time with us through Holly's sabbatical.  But if Edwin is needed elsewhere, we will call a clergyperson to do Sunday mornings and pastoral care for us while I'm away.  With staff members Pat Michaels, Claire Raphaelson, and Hong Chin, holding steady, and the Rev. Dr. Karen Coleman directing the Food Pantry, St. James's will only grow through this opportunity to continue to increase in the Holy Currency of Gracious Leadership. With gratitude for this opportunity, Holly
 
ST. JAMES'S SINGS!
You will be happy to know that our parish songbook, St James's Sings, is undergoing a new revision.  Saint James's Sings was first published in 1984, when the 1982 Hymnal first became available to us.  We decided then to create a supplement of new pieces that weren't in that hymnal and also to include a few hymns  from the previous hymnal.   Since that time it has been updated periodically.  It is time for a new one--as the old ones are pretty much worn out and tattered, and some of the pieces are dated and not all useful. 
 
Pat Michaels, Mike Salib, Judy Beers, Sylvia Weston and Anne Read have already contributed to its production--choosing music, getting permissions and estimates, scanning the music, and choosing a cover.  Thanks to a generous gift from parishioners, the new edition will be larger, with a stronger binding, and will include many of the pieces we already have along with a great collection of newer songs and hymns.  It should serve us well--and I hope you will find many favorites in it in the coming years.  I look forward to singing from it with you!  --- Pat Michaels
 
TIFFANY CURTIS, OUR ST. JAMES’S MICAH FELLOW!
Tiffany Curtis works with both St. James’s and the Harvard Chaplaincy as part of a shared ministry around young adult work, community building and social justice as our Micah Fellow from August 27th through mid-July 2013. She brings a wealth of experience in social justice work, more specifically around worker justice issues, has interned with parishes before during her time at Harvard Divinity School, and has spent the majority of this past year in Ecuador with the Quichua people.

ST. JAMES’S CHARTERS VITAL CAMBRIDGE SCOUT TROOP, 70 SCOUTS STRONG!
The Vestry is proud to announce that we welcome the combined Scout Troop, Venture Crew, Cub Scout Pack, and Learning for Life program 56 (Troop, Crew, & Pack 56) to our St. James’s community, beginning this fall!

The gender inclusive Troop & Crew 56 serves youth far beyond the typical ken of the Boy Scouts with their own practice of radical welcome, and so make natural partners with the St. James’s mission. The 70+ boys and girls in both the younger and teen groups work side-by-side in their scouting experiences, and they do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, faith tradition, or just about anything else the Vestry asked about.

Their adult leaders include long-time St. James members already active in the life of the parish, especially Dr. Michelle Holmes and Derrick Z. Jackson, and we expect that the youth themselves will become an energizing presence in our community as well.  We expect that our St. James’s youth, boys and girls alike, will be drawn to join the Scouts in their highly active love of the outdoors, with monthly camping and hiking trips organized, provided for, and managed by the scouts themselves.
 
The Vestry and the Scouts have called together a committee of Vestry members, adult Scout-leaders, and scouts to draw up a “charter” which will detail the formal agreements between St. James’s and Troop & Crew 56 and make the relationship official as soon as possible. Derrick Jackson will be St. James’s Chartered Organization Representative with the Scouts.  The Scouts will begin meeting in the rear of our church on Tuesday nights in the fall, and will, together with Vestry property folks, construct safe and secure storage for their camping gear in our Undercroft.  We expect that this committee will continue to meet after the chartering is complete to keep the relationship between St. James’s and the Scouts healthy and mutually beneficial.

The vestry has been praying and discerning very deeply about this proposal since the Scouts first approached us several months ago with their need for a new home after the parish they had been chartered at announced they were closing their doors. There is so much that the Spirit can do through new relationships like this one, and so the Vestry hopes that you will join with us in welcoming Troop, Crew, and Pack 56 into our lives, and to pray many blessings upon this new relationship!  And if you ARE a kid or youth at St. James’s or you HAVE a kid or youth at St. James’s, consider joining the Scouts.  They’re awesome!

Address any questions to Derrick Jackson -- dzjacks@aol.com, or Vestry members, Eagle Scout Lucas Sanders -- lucas@butterflyhug.com, and Warren Huber -warren.sensei@gmail.com.
 
END-OF-LIFE PLANNING BOOKLET AVAILABLE ONLINE
At our website, under the “About” section, you can download a copy of the End-of-Life Planning Booklet we distributed at our All Saints Day workshop on planning for the end of your life.  It includes funeral and burial information; a medical advanced directive that specifies what kinds of medical intervention you want and what you DON’T want; a health proxy nomination form to name those who will make health care decisions for you in the event that you cannot do so for yourself; forms that help your loved ones know where all your important financial and legal information is; even a form to help you prepare to write a will and designate your beneficiaries. 
 
We’re happy to assist anyone who would like our help.  You can leave copies of your medical directive and funeral and burial plans with us in our secure file in the Rector’s office, in addition to sharing them with relatives, friends and your doctor, so that we can be an effective part of your support team.  Whether or not you request our help to fill out your booklet, we would deeply appreciate having copies of your funeral plans on file here at the office.
 
If you are filling out your own planning booklet and would like our support, or missed the workshop and would like a booklet to assist you in your own planning, please let us know in the office by calling Claire at 617.547.4070 between 10 AM and 2 PM, Monday through Thursday, or by emailing her at office@stjames-cambridge.org.  Or download your own copy from our website at www.stjames-cambridge.org, under “About.”

JOIN THE ST. JAMES’S PSALM-WRITING INITIATIVE!
St. James’s has had a long tradition of congregation-members writing musical settings for our weekly Psalms.  There has been and continues to be so much musical talent and skill in our congregation that it would be a shame not to bring it out and share it with others!  It is not every congregation that has been blessed in this way--we are glad indeed!  May God have the glory!

We hope to continue this tradition for a very long time here at St. James's.   The Worship Commission thought it would be a good idea to put our energies into a renewed season of composing new settings for Psalms.  This is especially appropriate since we are using a newer lectionary (the Revised Common Lectionary) which was not in use when we began our project years ago.  What this means is that we currently use many Psalms for which we did not write settings. And that means we are in need of composers to step up and write new Psalm settings!

Please speak with Margot Chamberlain -- margot.chamberlain@gmail.com-- and Amber Sarpy -- sarpyac83@gmail.com-- about what Psalms are available.   Pat Michaels can assist with some of the musical process.  Enjoy writing!
 
A ST. JAMES'S CALENDAR, ON OUR WEBSITE!
Don’t miss the comprehensive St. James’s Online Calendar for the coming academic year at our website, http://www.stjames-cambridge.org/.  It’s a work in progress, but we hope it will show all our worship services, events, ministries, committees, and activities of all kinds, so that those new to our parish can quickly discover what’s happening and how to get involved.  Please let us know if your ministry or activity is not yet on the calendar, and give us a short description and a name and phone/email for contact.  THANKS 
 
OUR MINISTRIES VISIBLE FOR ALL TO SEE! 
Check out the wonderful bulletin boards in the rear of our nave to learn about our Vestry leadership board, our ministries, and the work of our Missions Committee!  We want our newcomers (and even our long-timers) to know ALL God’s good work going on at St. James’s!
 
EDUCATION
 
CHURCH SCHOOL 5-19: PENTECOST PENTECOST PENTECOST!
Hello everyone! Just a few weeks left in the semester and lots of goodies coming our way. As Pentecost is upon us both of our classes will be encountering the mystery of the Holy Spirit. Our Lower School class will meet at Pine Village (2067 Massachusetts Ave.) and will dissect the Mystery of Pentecost. Ask them how the mystery continues. The Middle School class will meet at our offices on 2161 Massachusetts Ave and will also experience Pentecost. As this class is known for surprises ask them how Pentecost "happened" to them. It would be great to have full classes down the stretch so be sure to come on out. Blessings!
 
OUTREACH
 
SUPPORT PUBLIC TOILETS IN CAMBRIDGE WITH OUR LDI FRIENDS @ CHRIST CHURCH!!
Go to the terrific website sponsored by Christ Church Cambridge, St. James’s and others at www.cambridgeACT.com and sign a petition to the Cambridge City Council for public toilets in Cambridge.  They have been studying this issue for many years and have failed to act.  They WANT to hear from you and know about your interest and support for this idea.  Just about every comparable city in the world has accessible public toilets.  See the great website for lots more information, ways to help, pictures of public toilets around the world, and maps of all the “public” toilets in Harvard Square and in the rest of Cambridge unknown to most of the public, accessible to some, but not necessarily to all.   For more information or to report your participation (thanks in advance) contact Tom Tufts at thomastufts@comcast.net.  
 
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (LDI) INSTITUTE PROJECT SUPPORTS FOOD PANTRY
Please keep in your prayers the members of the Food Pantry Board and Vestry Food Pantry Subcommittee as they and our Micah Fellow Tiffany Curtis and Holly Antolini continue preparation for a new initiative at St. James’s: Leadership Development Institute (LDI) training to grow the base of support for our Helping Hand Food Pantry.  Our Food Pantry is the only Pantry in North Cambridge, and serves people from all around the Boston metropolis.  We operate in the community room at the Fresh Pond Apartments on Rindge Ave., and are surrounded by immigrant and other communities, many of whom are short on employment and in need of food.  We are hoping and dreaming of energizing many in those communities and many more in the wider Cambridge community, as well as at St. James’s and in our neighbor churches to get involved in the opportunity for support and empowerment that the Food Pantry represents.  Anyone want to join in and learn this exciting new way of ministering in the 21^st century?  Email Tiffany at curtis.tiffanym@gmail.com if you are interested!

WOMEN’S MEAL THURSDAYS: WE STILL NEED HELP & IT’S EASY & FUN!
The Thursday Women's Meal is still in urgent need of more volunteers.  Don’t be daunted by thinking you must cook a whole meal! Here are simple ways you can help:  

Money is available from our budget to pay the cost, and we can suggest recipes and amounts needed if you want to take on some of the cooking monthly or every other month.  Please call Sarah Forrester at 781.861.6111 if you can help in any of these simple ways.

THE WARMTH OF SPRING COMFORTS THE OUTDOOR CHURCH
Every Sunday at 9 AM, a cart departs from St. James’s nave for Pigeon Park outside the Porter Square T Stop to offer worship and communion to congregation members from all over Cambridge, through the ministry of The Outdoor Church.  Many congregation members in the Outdoor Church prefer not to be indoors, or simply cannot afford to be.  So the Outdoor Church brings worship and fellowship to them, in all weathers at all times of the year.  The Reverends Jed Mannis and Pat Zifcak help lead The Outdoor Church.  St. James’s houses their equipment and provides once-a-month sandwiches (see below).  ALL are WELCOME to join The Outdoor Church for worship – just show up at Pigeon Park!

JOIN ST. JAMES’S SANDWICH MINISTRY FOR THE OUTDOOR CHURCH!
Congregation members assist the Outdoor Church on the Fourth Sunday of every month by making 10 sandwiches to be distributed to Outdoor Church parishioners after their services (see above). This seems to me to be one of the ways in which we can heed Jesus’ plea that we feed the hungry. The favorites are egg salad, tuna salad, roast beef, turkey and ham and cheese. Congregation members in the Outdoor Church prefer white bread without mayonnaise or mustard for the meat sandwiches, which makes the preparation move much more quickly. Egg and tuna salad need mayonnaise, so that is fine. Please label them so that the servers know what they are passing out. You can leave them in the back corner of the church near the cabinet before the service.  If you have any questions, please contact me and I will respond as quickly as I can.  All of us in The Outdoor Church so appreciate your help. Mardi Moran, mardi.moran@gmail.com.

YOUR FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOU!
St. James’s Helping Hands Food Pantry needs you!  We need people who can devote three-and-a-half hours to shadowing our Interim Food Pantry Director Karen Coleman and learning the ropes of the Pantry’s operation at the Fresh Pond Apartments, 362 Rindge Ave., Cambridge.  The Food Pantry is held each Tuesday (4 to 6 PM), Thursday (11 AM to 1 PM) and Saturday (10 AM to noon).  There is about an hour’s set-up and perhaps a half-hour clean-up for each Pantry session.  Karen is looking to train up to three volunteers who would be able, if needed, to pinch-hit for her on occasion, overseeing her highly competent, experienced volunteers, so that she knows she has back-up if she needs it.  This is your opportunity to meet a lot of fascinating folks on both sides of the Food Pantry counter, and to see St. James’s outreach in action.  If you think you could help, please call Holly at 857.998.1777 or email at rector@stjames-cambridge.org.  Of course, food donations from St. James's parishioners are ALWAYS appreciated!  Just bring them to the big baskets below the chancel steps and we’ll make sure they get to the Pantry!
 
REDEVELOPMENT NEWS 
 
OAKTREE TO WORK ON GARDEN FOR USE THIS SUMMER!
In our continuing partnership with the developer Oaktree Design Development, Oaktree has agreed to come help remove the dirt piles and rubbish left over from the moving of our boiler, resurrect the fences that are falling down, remove the ruined sign/model by our apse, and generally clean up the garden to enable us to open it for use this summer as we await the end of the appeals process!  HURRAH!
 
MOVING INTO THE LIGHT: LED BULBS IN THE SANCTUARY
If you looked up during Holy Week and Easter services, you may have noticed that our bulbs are migrating from standard, high-energy-consuming bulbs and cold-light CFL’s to environmentally friendly, super-low-energy-consuming warm LED bulbs.  THANK YOU David Bliss, Tiffany Curtis, Cambridge HEET, NStar PRISM, and ladder-climbing Hong Chin, our sexton!
 
AGREEMENT WITH OAKTREE EXTENDED AS THE APPEAL PROCESS GRINDS ON 
We continue to rejoice that the appeal against the Planning Commission permit is gone for good.  But though Judge Henry dismissed the second appeal lodged against the Diocese, St. James's and the Historic Commissions at unusually great length and detail, the plaintiff’s lawyer on that case has filed yet another appeal of the dismissal.  This is a completely pointless course of action, except to try to slow our progress.  But it must be handled with due process in this democratic legal system of ours.  The excellent legal team that handled the first round will continue to represent Oaktree and St. James’s in the second round. Please pray that the plaintiffs see the light and withdraw their case instead of carrying their efforts further!  Meanwhile, we continue to be healthy, growing, and actively working to further God’s dream of shalom despite our current trials.  (Oops, pun intended!)
 
CHURCH OFFICES HAVE A NEW DOORBELL
We now have a wired-in doorbell at the CENTER door at 2161 Massachusetts Avenue, where the stairs go directly up to our offices. If you’re at all unsure, look for a big sign with the St. James logo!
 
ST. JAMES’S OFFICES @ AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE! 
At last the St. James’s staff has fulfilled our original office plan: the American Friends Service Committee building has been renovated, following their electrical fire last August.  St. James’s staff moved to 2161 Massachusetts Ave. on June 22nd.  Please note: Our official address will remain 1991 Massachusetts Avenue and our phone is still 617.547.4070.
 
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 6^th 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.

KEEPING THE PARISH HUMMING

WANT TO JOIN OUR LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITOR MINISTRY?
Lay Eucharistic Visitors bring communion to those unable to attend church, to extend the blessings of our communion and community to include them. The Diocese does the training for those serving in this way.  Lay Eucharistic Visitor training sessions will be offered on these Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Oct. 13 at Trinity Church (47 East Street) in Wrentham (register by Oct. 6); Nov. 10 at St. Mary’s Church (3055 Main Street) in Barnstable (register by Nov. 3); Dec. 1 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street) in Boston (register by Nov. 24); and March 9, 2013, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street) in Boston (register by March 2, 2013). This one-day course meets the training portion of the requirements established by the Diocese of Massachusetts for licensing as a Eucharistic Visitor. In addition to taking the training program, you will also need to have a CORI check, which St. James's will conduct. The cost for training is $40, but there are scholarships available if necessary.  Please call or email Holly at rector@stjames-cambridge.org if you would like to participate in this important ministry.

SUNDAY NEWS TRIES SOMETHING NEW!
We’re going to try to help make the Sunday News a bit more readable to newcomers and long-timers alike: we’re going to put time-sensitive articles in BLUE for anyone reading the Sunday News in e-format, and keep the basic information needed by newcomers – things like our policy on Facebook, how to become a liturgical minister, and our redevelopment basics – in black.  If you are a long-timer cruising through to pick up the most urgent or fresh items, look for the BRIGHT BLUE ARTICLES!

WELCOMERS, CHALICERS, INTERCESSORS, ACOLYTES AND READERS NEEDED!
As the St. James’s family grows, we find ourselves needing more Sunday volunteers! If you’ve just joined St. James’s, this is a great way to get to know people!  If you are interested in participating in the Eucharist, or would just like more information about training, please contact Claire Raphaelson at office@stjames-cambridge.org.
 
PARISH DIRECTORY FOR FALL 2012 IN YOUR EMAIL INBOX! PHOTOS TO COME!
Our  Church Helpmate membership database has been revamped with Edwin Johnson’s help, and has resulted in a NEW UP-TO-DATE PARISH DIRECTORY!  A limited number of paper copies will be in the church Sunday for those who don’t get email easily.  Save trees, please, and don’t take one unless you can’t access it on email.  If you peruse the directory and find an error in your contact information or something missing, PLEASE EMAIL Claire at office@stjames-cambridge.org ASAP and she’ll fix it in the data base and issue an addendum. 
 
Next stop: ADDING PHOTOS TO THE DIRECTORY of you and any family you may have.  Our new Micah Fellow Tiffany Curtis will be meeting people with a camera in hand at coffee hour, ready to snap a directory photo on the spot as she gets to know you.  Or get the jump on her and email your jpeg photo to Claire at the email address above.
 
POLICY ON ST. JAMES’S FURNITURE
St. James’s has long generously loaned chairs and tables to parishioners for special occasions.  However, since we relinquished our parish house, our chairs and tables are so few and so very necessary that we will no longer be able to loan them out during this time of transition.  Please be patient as we move toward our new parish house.

WARNING: WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS IN CHURCH
Sadly, several of us had items stolen during worship recently, right in the church.  Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected, and to the desperate person who used our Holy Thanksgiving ("eucharist") as a time to steal from others.  This is a common occurrence in urban churches.  Our Cathedral always has to warn people not to leave purses or bags in the pew when they go to communion.  We hate to have to ask the same of St. James's members, but given how many visitors we usually have, it's impossible to know for sure that everyone is there to worship.  Please protect your belongings carefully, even when you are in church!  Holly and Edwin.

HOLLY (NOT) ON FACEBOOK
New technologies offer new opportunities, and new pastoral challenges.  We clergy have been wrestling with what to do about Facebook and our congregation members.  In consultation with our Bishops and my clergy colleagues, I've decided NOT to "friend" people in my current or past congregations on Facebook.  Admittedly, this decision is a bit belated, because I've already "friended" a few of you, so I apologize for the shift in policy.  (Such is the challenge with emerging technologies -- we don't always realize their implications at the beginning.)  The Communications Committee and I are working to make our wonderful St. James's Online Network even more accessible and usable and I'm delighted to "friend" ALL of you there.  But I will not use Facebook as a way to stay in touch with you.  There is too much liability that my Facebook friendships might privilege some of you over others, or that my personal information and views might become more public than I intend.  Also, I am increasingly aware that I simply do not have the time to follow up consistently with Facebook relationships.  So if I ignore your request for Facebook friendship, please hop on over to the St. James's Online Network, and let's be in touch with each other there, in a forum to which the whole congregation has access.  If you want to be sure I know something important about you, please call me at 617.547.4070 or email me directly at rector@stjames-cambridge.org.
 
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 Claire 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
Simon Shapiro and Michael Brown (husband and friend of Mardi Moran), Tom, Mary Lou, and Daniel Lowe (family of Lee Ann Lowe), Anne Holmes (daughter-in-law of Ken & Mary Holmes and wife of David), Arne Nystrom, Bob and Terry Borgatti (grandparents of Sarah Borgatti), Tom Harris, Sarah and Andrew Taylor Peck, Edward Lenn (father of Susan Lenn), Liz (friend of Judy Beers), Jessica Sollee, Peggy, Margaret, Bill Reeves and his wife Jane (parents of Hannah Reeves), Emilienne Jules, Ken Holmes, Scott Walters (Laine Walters Young’s father), Cynthia Owen, Francis (Katie Rimer's friend) and his husband Michael, Katarina (daughter of Laine Walters Young’s cousin Kellie McCaffree), Doug Humphrey (Ed Humphrey’s son) and his wife Vicky, Kurt McGee (David McGee’s father), Jing Lyman (Holly Antolini’s mom), Isaiah Martinez (Brother of Isaac Martinez), Olga Best (Aunt of Elaine Agard), Paige Mercer (friend of Esther Won), Dennis Moore (Michael Walters Young’s friend), Teresa Primrose (Eric Maynard’s friend), Kathy Udall, Roger Shumway, Michelle Holmes, Vida Carrington, Susan Robinson, Joan Hawkesworth, Lynne Campbell, Sue Ritze (friend of Sarah Read), Arthur Oxenberg (Richard Oxenberg’s father), John Carlton & family, Judith Carroll (former St. James’s acolyte), Lanell Smith (friend of Joan Jordan), Trevor DeCourcy-Dawe and Grace Dawe (Mabel Moore Pollard's nephew and sister), Mateo Singer-Torres, Pamela Bergquist; Maya DeBorst, Emily Sunderland, Milton Tuff, Frances Williams (Bob Estes’ mom), Susanne Carrington, Pat Haynes, Bob Massie, Ebert Agard, Marie, Constance, & Lydge Lahens, Florence Stanley, Barbara Butler, Lisa McDonnell.  We pray for the Afghanis who have been injured in the past week but whose names have not been recorded, and all soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and veterans who are recovering from physical and mental harm sustained in the wars. 
 
We Pray for Those Who Have Died
We pray for all those killed in conflicts in the Middle East, and for US servicemen who have been killed in Afghanistan in the past week.
 
The flowers are given to the glory of God and by Carol Folkes-Youens in memory of her mother and step-father Daphne and Malcolm Graham and her Aunt Iris and Uncle Leon, and also by Hannah Reeves in memory of Mizo Mihuno. 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 carolyngeorgetaylor@gmail.com

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 the office at 617.547.4070 or office@stjames-cambridge.org, and please let us 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.
 
And Don’t Forget:

The Bell
The Bell is in hiatus for the time being for lack of an editor. Anyone feel called to a ministry of communication?  Give Holly Antolini a call or an email at rector@stjames-cambridge.org. We’ll be happy to start back up again if someone has interest! We’ll be happy to start back up again if someone has interest!  In the meantime, we post many things on NING St. James’s Online Network or in the Sunday News, or on the website www.stjames-cambridge.org.

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 the office at office@stjames-cambridge.org or 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 and Edwin’s “days off” are Friday & Saturday.  Holly will 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 the office at office@stjames-cambridge.org.
Have an addition or correction to the prayer list?  Email the office by Wednesday at noon.
Parish office hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 10AM-2PM

Readings for the First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, May 26th: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15