7 from Kevin - December 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • December 1, 2023
- We all understand the importance of keeping our gathering spaces clean, organized, and ready for use. Doing so requires a team effort. We are so lucky and thankful to have Suzette on our housekeeping team! Assigned to us by DT's Refurbishing just a couple of months ago, Suzette works 3 hours on Monday and 3 hours on Fridays, but she works so efficiently and performs such a thorough job, it seems like she is here much longer. We really appreciate the way she cares for St. James.
- Printing and copying are necessary for day-to-day operations at St. James, but we are vigilant about keeping such costs as low as possible by minimizing unnecessary printing and using digital alternatives when we can. During the past 2 years, the folks at Image Matters have been extremely adept at helping us regularly monitor and analyze the monthly volume of copies printed at St James. As a result, we have been able to optimize the terms of our lease contract to reduce our expenses.
- Our recent switch to Clearview Security company has been a refreshing change. Upgraded technology, improved software, and responsive technicians have made it simpler for us to provide improved security at a reduced cost! Clearview Security is a locally owned business whose team of security professionals has been providing integrated security solutions for commercial, residential, institutional and government clients since 1969.
- Fr. John Mark checks all the boxes when it comes to demonstrating what is needed from a great Rector. He effectively communicates the teachings of our faith. He inspires, motivates, and guides us towards a deeper understanding of our faith. He offers guidance in times of trouble and provides comfort in times of need. He also helps to attract new members to the congregation through his powerfully relatable sermons.
- Our
Doorstep Volunteers assist unhoused and low-income neighbors who reach out to St. James for help. They prepare and distribute bagged lunches from our doorstep and provide assistance and referrals for help with utility bills, rent, clothing, and other basic needs. Our Doorstep volunteers also provide assistance to the staff by answering the telephone, greeting visitors, and performing other important clerical tasks.
- Investing can be intimidating, but financial advisors can help us navigate the waters and make informed decisions. They can also provide valuable insight into the market and help us develop personalized investment strategies. We are grateful that Bob Williams is our Church Financial Advisor. Fully licensed by all Federal regulatory agencies, Bob is the Regional Director of Financial Marketplace Inc. He and his team of 4 advisors and 4 support staff do an outstanding job of managing our Endowment Fund and overseeing our investment strategy to ensure St. James is poised to remain financially sound as we enter our second 100 years.
- Our Centennial Campaign Committee has played an essential role in gathering input, prioritizing facility upgrades, and doing all the right things to achieve our intermediate fundraising goals. As chair of the committee,
Katharine Pearson Criss has provided outstanding leadership. Her passion for the project and appropriate sense of urgency has served as a beacon of light and the catalyst that has kept the committee focused and on pace.
Alleluia. Christ is risen. We celebrated the resurrection with so much joy this past Sunday. The Easter feast continues for 50 days. Thank you to everyone who made Holy Week and Easter Sunday so special. You helped people feel welcomed to this place where we proclaim the welcoming love of Christ in word, deed, song, Easter egg hunts, and something good to eat. We welcome others because we have known the love of Christ and want to share it.
Friends and Neighbors, As we journey through Holy Week, I encourage you to pause and consider those events that lead us to the joyful celebration of Easter. May that also be reflected in our lives. We walk through hard things and know that God is with us. We hold to the hope that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Friends and Neighbors, As the weather teases us with warm days followed by chilly ones, we enter Holy Week. You have probably heard me encouraging folks to experience the journey to the cross and the grave so we might celebrate the resurrection with that insight. God has shared this human experience and is with us in the darkness and the light. Our liturgies of Holy Week take us on that journey with Jesus and remind us that God is indeed with us on our own journeys.
Friends and Neighbors, The annual Nehemiah Action is this Tuesday, April 8. We gather with over 22 congregations to ask our leaders to commit to taking action on important community matters. This year, we are asking for commitments on housing instability, homelessness, and transportation. Please invite others to attend. Having a large number of people makes a difference. You can find the details in this newsletter. Your presence helps us bring more justice to our city.
Lent is a season when we are particularly called to consider our sins and to amend our ways. Many of the messages we hear in our culture tend to focus on the sins of an individual. The witness of scripture places as much emphasis on corporate sins. In the story of Jonah, the whole city is called to repent. Prophets like Amos deliver the call for all those in power to stop mistreating the poor. In Nehemiah 5, we hear the story of Nehemiah gathering a great assembly to call for the leaders to stop the unfair lending practices harming their community. As faithful people, we are called to consider the ways that our life together touches the lives of others.
I am writing this on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19). This character in God's salvation story has an intriguing supporting role. He chooses to protect Mary and the expectant child despite the possible scandal. Joseph finds himself fleeing for Egypt to protect the newborn Jesus. We don't otherwise hear much from or about Joseph in scripture. He is a faithful person who sought to follow God in tough situations.
Get ready to jingle all the way to the "Smoky Mountain Ring" - a sensational showcase of talent and community spirit! Join us on Saturday, April 5 @ 4:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, (9076 Middlebrook Pike), where The Bells of St. James will be ringing in harmony with several other talented handbell choirs under the expert guidance of clinician Brenda Austin. This vibrant concert is more than just a musical event; it's a heartwarming celebration of connection, inclusivity, and the joy of coming together as a community. We can't wait to see you there!
Friends and Neighbors, We enter the season of Lent. Lent can seem very focused on the individual. For sure, we are called to consider our sinfulness and mortality. We do not stay there, but turn our hearts to God's forgiveness and grace.
Get ready to flip for joy because Shrove Tuesday is THIS TUESDAY (Mar 4)! Join us in the Parish Hall at 6 pm to 8 pm for a delightful evening filled with fluffy buttermilk pancakes and a smorgasbord of toppings that'll make your taste buds dance! Were even bringing out some classic, time-honored shrove pancake recipes that are sure to warm your heart. But wait, theres more! Come hungry and bring your family and friends for a night of fun, laughter, and the chance to snag some awesome door prizes! Trust us, you won't want to miss out on this delicious community gathering. Tickets are flying fast, so grab yours now for just $5 (adults) and $2 (children). And hey, if you're feeling the call to help out, we'd love to have you volunteer! Arrive at 5 pm to help with setup and prep so we can make this event a huge success together! RSVP at THIS LINK today! Remember, this isn't just about pancakes; it's about coming together as a community, sharing joy, and supporting our outreach initiatives.
Friends and Neighbors, I don't want to get too far ahead, but Lent is approaching. The tradition of the Church calls for a time of fasting and repentance. That often involves giving something up or taking something on. I recommend that folks keep it simple and be kind to themselves. We aren't doing these things to earn God's favor. We take up these practices to turn our hearts towards God. This turning of our hearts could be called "devotion".