| A HOLY MOMENT OF THE WEEK
Send yours to goodnews@saintjamesgi.net
Empty Bowls Painting Party! |
The Annual Meeting of the congregation is next Sunday, January 27 after the 10am Service.
Annual Meeting Lunch! On Sunday, January 27, a meal will be provided in Galloway Hall following the 10AM service. You are welcome to bring a dessert if you would like!
Three Parish Representatives to the Downriver Deanery will be elected at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 27. Our diocese is divided into 7 regional deaneries. Our deanery includes 10 downriver congregations. The deanery meets three times a year. Each meeting is two hours long; the first hour is focused on a topic of importance to all of our churches, usually led by a speaker who has been brought in for the role; the second hour consists of reports from diocesan council, from the dean, from the treasurer, and then brief reports from each congregation about recent ministry work. Please let Fr. Phil know if you are willing to serve in this capacity.
Looking For Another Sunday School Teacher – Because the numbers in Sunday School are growing (thank you parents for bringing your children), another teacher is needed to divide the children from younger/older. We are looking for someone to teach the younger group (preschool to 2nd grade) from now until the end of May. The curriculum is provided, instruction provided. If the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart, pray about it. And if you’re called to do this, be assured the Spirit will provide you with everything it takes. I might add, you will be blessed many times over by our amazing St. James’ kids!!! Call Nancy Crysler 734-673-3990.
The Pastoral Care Team will meet on Saturday March 09 at 10:00 AM in the Library. This meeting is open to current members of the Pastoral Care Team and anyone who wants to learn more about the ministry of bringing the Eucharist to our homebound parishioners. Please mark your schedule and watch for additional details as we get closer to this meeting.
Vote To Elect The Next Bishop! Saint James will send a contingent of 3 delegates to the special convention for the election of a bishop on Saturday, June 1. These delegates will be elected on January 27th at our annual meeting. TO RUN FOR ELECTION to be a Lay Delegate from Saint James you must meet the eligibility requirements (the 8 points below), and submit responses to the following questions: 1) In what ways have you participated in the life and ministries of Saint James and/or the Diocese? 2) What qualities are you looking for in a bishop? 3) If several candidates appear to be equally qualified, how will you go about determining who you will cast your vote for? Send your responses to goodnews@saintjamesgi.net or drop them off in person in the office by Friday, January 25, by noon. Answers will be distributed to the congregation in advance of the vote. Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to stand for election as a lay delegate you must meet the following criteria. 1) Be over 16 years old and confirmed; 2) Be a “member in good standing,” canonically defined as a person who, “has been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and in working, praying and giving for the spread of the kingdom of God;” 3) Be willing to study all materials that will be distributed about candidates, including videos and written materials; 4) Be willing to attend at least one of the diocesan “walkabouts” where bishop candidates will appear in person to answer questions (4-5 regional meetings will be scheduled between May 17-19; each will last approximately two hours;) 5) Be willing to engage in conversation with parishioners about the candidates; 6) Be willing to engage faithfully in the spiritual work of prayer and discernment about your vote for bishop, keeping in mind your own conscience and the needs of Saint James and the wider church and world; 7) Be willing to serve as a delegate to both of the diocesan conventions held this year–the special convention for the election of a bishop (June 1) and the Diocesan Convention (held in Novi on Friday & Saturday, October 25-26), including doing the prep work required to be ready for each convention. 8) Be willing to report back to the congregation about the happenings of each convention.
A Grosse Ile Men’s Retreat is being planned for Friday night and Saturday, February 8-9. Sponsored through GIPC, many men from the island have attended in the past and found it worthwhile. This year the topic is “Under Pressure: Finding Balance in Work, Relationships, and Faith.” The cost of the retreat is $95 double / $140 single and includes dinner, breakfast and room. Call Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church to sign up: 734-676-9811.
Rummage Sale Notice – We cannot accept rummage items until after April 15. Please do not leave anything before that date. The GI Fire Department does not want us to store rummage for more than two weeks, and we also need access to our cabinets, tables and chairs. The rummage sale is May 3 and May 4.
Open Bible Study A drop-in Bible Study runs every Sunday morning from 9:05-9:50AM in the Fireplace Room. The study requires no preparation, and you can come on whatever Sundays are convenient for you. Drop in any time!
Gluten-Free Wafers are always available at communion. Just ask.
Secretary Office Hours: Colleen is in the office Tues-Thurs 9-2, & Fri 9-noon.
Open Office Hours Fr. Phil is available for appointments throughout the week for meetings of any length, but on Tuesday evenings you never need an appointment. Drop in any Tuesday between 4:30-6:30 pm and say hello.
FEATURES AND ARTICLES
Send your write-ups about parish events to goodnews@saintjamesgi.net
A Letter from Fr. Phil about Sabbatical Plans
Dear Members of Saint James,
The idea of sabbatical comes from scriptural references to “Sabbath.” In the book of Genesis, God rests on the seventh day, which becomes known as the Sabbath. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, God commands the Israelites to set aside one day out of seven for their rest and renewal. This becomes the fourth of the Ten Commandments: remember the sabbath day and keep it holy—“holy” meaning “set apart for the Lord,” and not for traditional work. Even the land receives a Sabbath: In Leviticus 25, God commands that the land should rest for one year after giving harvest for six years. This is to ensure that the land will remain fruitful for generations to come.
In the church many think of a sabbatical as being primarily for a priest’s renewal, but this is its secondary purpose. The primary purpose of a priest’s sabbatical is to benefit the entire congregation when the priest returns with new energy, focus, knowledge, and drive, and the congregation has accomplished much with the help of one another and the Holy Spirit. Just as the Sunday sabbath charges every believer for the week ahead, so a congregation’s sabbath charges everyone for the years of ministry to come.
In the Episcopal Church each clergy person is afforded in their contract a sabbatical after every seven years. The length of sabbatical is to be two weeks per year served to a maximum of 14 weeks. Having entered my 15th year at Saint James last August, the vestry and I have agreed to set aside three periods of time for sabbatical. Two of these will occur in 2019. The third will be held in trust for some time in the future.
Sabbatical Period One will be January 28-March 2. I will set out after Annual Meeting and return for the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday so that we can observe a Holy Lent together. (Ash Wednesday is March 6.) During this sabbatical period I will focus on meditation, journaling, prayer, and exercise; I will stay with the monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan and at the Holy Family Retreat House in Ontario for part of the time. After this period I will be back for two months for the end of Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, and the start of Easter.
Sabbatical Period Two will be April 27-May 28. I will set out after Easter and return to lead our delegation to the Special Diocesan Convention for electing a new bishop. During this sabbatical period I will participate on the diocesan pilgrimage to Ireland and the New Media Preaching Conference supported by the diocese and will spend time in writing, reading, and study.
After this period my sabbatical will come to an end, although I will use several weeks of vacation to spend time with my family in the summer. A third period of sabbatical will happen some time in 2020, 2021, or 2022, lasting not more than 4 weeks. As with this sabbatical it will be coordinated and approved through the vestry for a time and purpose that is best for all.
Sabbatical can be an exciting time for everyone in a congregation. You will hear new voices and perspectives in the pulpit from clergy around the diocese, including the Rev. Sally Boelter, who will be here for half of the Sundays. You will benefit from the stepped up leadership of your vestry and senior warden and other lay leaders. Meanwhile, Capital Campaign projects will begin to be accomplished and ministries and services will continue, led by your talented and faithful peers.
During this time, do not take a vacation from Saint James, but commit to strengthening your faith and joining actively in the ministry of the church. Keep an eye out for one another and for guests to the congregation, and do all things as though you were doing them for Christ. Most importantly, do not neglect to meet together, but gather joyfully and regularly in worship and prayer.
All of our staff and lay leaders will be at their best in this time to ensure that every detail is taken care of. Rev. Sally has agreed to provide any special pastoral care or hospital visits that may be needed on weekdays between services. This can be coordinated through the office. (If a funeral should be needed, it can be delayed until my return, or Sally or a local priest can be brought in to help.) Blanche, your Senior Warden, will be especially available to help with any needs you may have during this time. In partnership with the vestry she will make any leadership calls that may be immediately necessary.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your care and support of me and one another through this sabbatical time. I can’t wait to bring back the stories and great ideas that percolate in this time.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Phil+
CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS
We Celebrate Birthdays This Week
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We Celebrate Anniversaries This Week
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Please Pray This Week For Healing
| Bruce Stahlman | Jerry Zavadil | John Brass | |
| Linda Kohn | Jean Fernandes | Jackson Beidler | |
| Robert Kohn | Michael Stoddart | Gregory Kohn | |
| Ron Kohn | Alex | Kate Kohn Parrott | |
| Sally Byers | Shaun Stahlman | Andrew Brunell | |
| John Marion | James Marion | Ralph | |
| Joe Rodelott | Eleanor Coleman | Lucy Contreras | |
| Viola Patrick |
Pray for those serving in The Church For leaders of the worldwide church, for Philip our priest, members of our vestry, heads of our guilds & committees, and the staff and lay leaders of this congregation; for those engaged in mission work, for Jamie Treadwell in England, Todd and Patsy McGregor & family in Kenya, El Hogar in Honduras, and the Spirit of Hope Soup Kitchen in Detroit.
Pray for those serving in the military AJ Allen, Buckley Neal, JP Pandoff, Brett Ready, Dr. Bettina Sauter, Alexander Turin, and Alex Bearden.
**To ensure our Lists are current, petitions for healing are listed for 4 weeks per submission. Names may be re-submitted any number of times to office@saintjamesgi.net
PARISH CONTACTS
To update information contact goodnews@saintjamesgi.net or 734-676-17
| STAFF | CHURCH OFFICE | office@saintjamesgi.net | 734-676-1727 | |||
| Rector | The Rev. Phil Dinwiddie | rector@saintjamesgi.net | ||||
| Minister of Music | Jim Johnson | jjcricket1958@yahoo.com | ||||
| Secretary
Sexton |
Colleen Herman
Harold Schwochow |
office@saintjamesgi.net
office@saintjamesgi.net |
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| VESTRY | Treasurer | Curt Crysler ‘19 | treasurer@saintjamesgi.net | |||
| Member-at-Large | Carl Colwell ‘19 | carl@carlcolwell.com | ||||
| Member-at-Large | Margaret Horvath ‘19 | mhorvath@comcast.net | ||||
| Recording Secretary | Lynda VanEngelen ‘19 | barrylyndahtg@wowway.com | ||||
| Member-at-Large | Mel Bonis ‘20 | melandron@wowway.com | ||||
| Building & Grounds Jr. Warden | Jeff Faistenhammer ‘20 | jfaisten@yahoo.com | ||||
| Secretary of the Vestry | Beth Primeau ‘20 | bethholliday323@gmail.com | ||||
| Member-at-Large | Barbara Valmassei ‘20 | btvalmassei@comcast.net | ||||
| Member-at-Large | Tom Benson ‘21 | thomas.b.benson@gmail.com | ||||
| Member-at-Large | Laurent Chappuis ‘21 | lbchappuis@icloud.com | ||||
| Member-at-Large | Kim Faistenhammer ‘21 | kfaisten@gmail.com | ||||
| Senior Warden | Blanche Hutchison ‘21 | bhutchison1@hotmail.com | ||||
| MINISTRIES | Acolytes | Tom & Erica Benson | (231) 690-9655 | |||
| Altar Guild | Linda Kurth
Michael Glover |
(734) 675-1506
(734) 676-1062 |
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| Bell Choir | Jim Johnson | Jjcricket1958@yahoo.com | ||||
| Chapel Tours | Kate Hartwell | (313) 318-3275 | ||||
| Children’s Ministries | Nancy Crysler | ncrysler@outlook.com | ||||
| Choir | Jim Johnson | Jjcricket1958@yahoo.com | ||||
| Church Rejuvenation | Sue Hartley
Judy Christie |
suecartwright1@comcast.net
(734) 323-8663 |
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| Counters | Curt Crysler | treasurer@saintjamesgi.net | ||||
| Eucharistic Ministers & Readers | Sue Weston | (734) 931-2232 | ||||
| Episcopal Church Women | Colleen Lough | colleenlough@gmail.com | ||||
| Finance Committee | Curt Crysler | treasurer@saintjamesgi.net | ||||
| Greeters | Lynn Blanks | lblanks@wideopenwest.com | ||||
| Helping Hands | Linda Kurth | (734) 675-1506 | ||||
| Interfaith Council/ Outreach | Sue Lowery
Jane Colwell |
(734) 675-0417
(734) 671-9446 |
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| Men’s Ministry Group | Jim Holubka | jholubka@sbcglobal.net | ||||
| Memorial Garden | Carole Vandenberg | (734) 671-6492 | ||||
| Office | Colleen Herman | office@saintjamesgi.net | ||||
| Pastoral Care Team | Marie Johnson | (734) 671-6502 | ||||
| Prayer Team | Herman Rugel | (734) 250-3375 | ||||
| Rainbow Bell Choir | Sue Johnson | (734) 783-1752 | ||||
| SCRIP & Kroger Rewards | Lynn & Paul Blanks | lblanks@wideopenwest.com | ||||
| Soup Kitchen | Amy & Frank Kohair | (734) 693-0694 | ||||
| Ushers | Carl Colwell | carlcolwell@hotmail.com | ||||
| Vestry | Marie Johnson | (734) 671-6502 | ||||
| Worship Committee | Fr. Phil | rector@saintjamesgi.net | ||||
| Youth Group – Sr. High | Fr. Phil | rector@saintjamesgi.net | ||||
SERVING THIS WEEK
THESE ROLES ARE ALWAYS OPEN to new participants.
To join a team contact the office at goodnews@saintjamesgi.net
| January 20, 2019 | |
| Altar Guild | Sue Hartley, Blanche Hutchison, Sarah Bates |
| 8am 1st lesson reader | Meren James (2nd reading) |
| 8am Eucharistic Minister | Kim Faistenhammer (1st reading) |
| 10 am 1st lesson reader | Francis G. (2nd reading) |
| 10am 2nd lesson & chalice | Colleen Lough (1st reading) |
| 10am prayers & chalice | Warren Johnson |
| Ushers | Stu Cartwright, Jack Hartley, Robin Knudson, Chi Paik |
| Greeters | Wendy Kiblawi, Robin Knudson |
| 10 am Acolytes | Austin Saavedra, Noah Saavedra |
| 10 am Crucifer | Andrew Johnson |
| Prayer Team | Colleen Lough & Madeleine Jones |
| January 27, 2019 | |
| Altar Guild | Diane Mammo, Lois Zook, Laura Fornwalt |
| 8am 1st lesson reader | Mike Callahan |
| 8am Eucharistic Minister | Sue Weston |
| 10 am 1st lesson reader | Jack Hartley |
| 10am 2nd lesson & chalice | Blanche Hutchison |
| 10am prayers & chalice | Jane Colwell |
| Ushers | David & Judy Christie, Jack Hartley, Chuck Kurth |
| Greeters | Dave & Judy Christie |
| 10 am Acolytes | Paiten Christie, Zoie Christie |
| 10 am Crucifer | Mitch Lewis |
| Prayer Team | Natalia & Anthony Baker |
| February 3, 2019 | |
| Altar Guild | Joan Hemsworth, Madeleine Jones, K. Faistenhammer |
| 8am 1st lesson reader | Sue Callahan |
| 8am Eucharistic Minister | Tom Coleman |
| 10 am 1st lesson reader | Natalia Morris |
| 10am 2nd lesson & chalice | Andrew Johnson |
| 10am prayers & chalice | Colleen Lough |
| Ushers | Stuart Cartwright, Robin Knudson, Zack & Merri Lewis |
| Greeters | Anthony & Natalia Baker |
| 10 am Acolytes | Caleb Johnson, Jackson Christie |
| 10 am Crucifer | Landon Johnson |
| Prayer Team | Herman Rugel & Linda Shannon |