What’s Happening at St. James’?
St James' Blood Drive
Give the Gift of Life by scheduling a blood donation on at the next Red Cross Blood Drive on June 12th. Volunteers are needed to help prepare food and manage this all day event. Please sign up in the Atrium or by contacting Jeannette Brown. Go to https/redcrossblood.org
Vestry Meeting
St. James’ Vestry meets on the fourth Tuesday night of each month. All are welcome to attend the meetings. The meetings are held in the Sanctuary and on Zoom as needed.
Celtic Vespers
A tradition at St. James’, Celtic Vespers is offered during the spring and fall
seasons. Vespers or Evening Prayer is deemed “Celtic” more by the spirit of the
liturgy rather than any formal form. Christianity throughout the British Isles
flourished for many centuries emphasizing a sense of God and the saints as
personal, a helpful presence. Women often held positions of authority. Love of
nature, the wild and elemental were reminders of God’s gifts. Our candlelit
service features readings, prayers, and music in a meditative setting. Wild Notes
(a group known for their acoustic music with roots in Irish, Scottish, French-
Canadian, jazz, and classical traditions) and a women’s choir typically provide the
music. The service begins with the Celtic chant Tar a thighhearna (translation:
Come, Lord, Come thou Being), and attendees are invited to light a candle during
the service as they reflect on all the gifts that God has given them, remember
dear friends and family members, or seek His help and guidance. The service is
followed by a reception with a wide variety of delicious finger foods, giving the
attendees an opportunity for fellowship and conversation.
Adult Choir Practice (Post worship)
All are welcome to attend the weekly Adult Choir Practice, led by Minister of Music, Eugenia Sullivan. For more information contact Eugenia by calling 860-633-8333. We look forward to you joining us as we make a joyful songs to God.
Adult Choir Practice
All are welcome to attend the weekly Adult Choir Practice, led by Minister of Music, Eugenia Sullivan. For more information contact Eugenia by calling 860-633-8333. We look forward to you joining us as we make a joyful songs to God.
Carol's Closet
Our volunteers and clients come together each third Saturday of each month, providing paper products, personal care items, and pet food for Glastonbury residents who are on the SNAP program. Our partners in ministry are: Buckingham Congregational Church, Congregational Church of South Glastonbury, First Church of Christ Congregational Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, South Glastonbury and The Lutheran Church of St. Marks’, We network with community organizations such as Glastonbury Food Bank and Glastonbury Social Services to identify families and individuals who would benefit. If you would like to volunteer or contribute, please contact the church office.
Adult Choir Practice (Post worship)
All are welcome to attend the weekly Adult Choir Practice, led by Minister of Music, Eugenia Sullivan. For more information contact Eugenia by calling 860-633-8333. We look forward to you joining us as we make a joyful songs to God.
Adult Choir Practice
All are welcome to attend the weekly Adult Choir Practice, led by Minister of Music, Eugenia Sullivan. For more information contact Eugenia by calling 860-633-8333. We look forward to you joining us as we make a joyful songs to God.
Adult Bible Study
For the above, let's discuss the first three chapters (1-3) of 'Acts of the Apostles'.
One question for you to ponder:
Why does God always appear, to people, with wind, lightning and fire which does not consume anything?
Come and join in the discussion. See you then.
Pet Lollapalooza - Blessing of the Animals
Join us with your pets on the front lawn on Saturday, October 4th from 2pm to 4pm. The Rev. Elizabeth Aurand will be blessing all types of animals. This coincides with the end of the Season of Creation and the date of celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, who is widely known as the patron saint of animals. He viewed all animals and elements of nature as his "brothers and sisters" created by God.
Adult Choir Practice
All are welcome to attend the weekly Adult Choir Practice, led by Minister of Music, Eugenia Sullivan. For more information contact Eugenia by calling 860-633-8333. We look forward to you joining us as we make a joyful songs to God.
Lunch in the Park Preparation
Lunch in the Park is a program that provides sandwiches and fruit to people who gather at Bushnell Park in Hartford to worship. Sandwiches and lunch bags are packed by volunteers in advance. Then, other volunteers travel to Bushnell Park to hand out the bags, worship and socialize.
Mens' Group Dinner
DATE: Tuesday, September 29th
TIME: 6:00pm Appetizers and 6:30pm Dinner
PLACE: St James' Parish Hall
MENU: TBD, but Mitch and I are considering serving both Chicken AND Fish
WHAT TO BRING: Your Appetite & Your Smile & maybe someone new who would enjoy it.
It is also noted that our dinner corresponds with The Feast of St Michael and All Angels (or Michael's Mass). It is a well known for feasting and although stuffed goose is not on the menu for us, we might whip up some St Michael's Bannock (scones) & Blackberries to complement our dessert offerings. Who knows, maybe we will do something special for any "Michael" in attendance ... like Mike Blair or Michael Vollmer, etc. The rest of us will get to be All Angels.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Outreach Planning Meeting
Outreach will hold a meeting on Sunday September 20th after church in fellowship hall and lunch will be served. We will discuss plans for the fall and for the holidays (Yes, it really is that time). The planning will include: Lunch in the Park, Socks Donations, Pet Lollapaloo, Blessing of the Animals and more.
Carol's Closet
Our volunteers and clients come together each third Saturday of each month, providing paper products, personal care items, and pet food for Glastonbury residents who are on the SNAP program. Our partners in ministry are: Buckingham Congregational Church, Congregational Church of South Glastonbury, First Church of Christ Congregational Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, South Glastonbury and The Lutheran Church of St. Marks’, We network with community organizations such as Glastonbury Food Bank and Glastonbury Social Services to identify families and individuals who would benefit. If you would like to volunteer or contribute, please contact the church office.
Carol's Closet
Our volunteers and clients come together each third Saturday of each month, providing paper products, personal care items, and pet food for Glastonbury residents who are on the SNAP program. Our partners in ministry are: Buckingham Congregational Church, Congregational Church of South Glastonbury, First Church of Christ Congregational Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, South Glastonbury and The Lutheran Church of St. Marks’, We network with community organizations such as Glastonbury Food Bank and Glastonbury Social Services to identify families and individuals who would benefit. If you would like to volunteer or contribute, please contact the church office.
Montessori Informational Meeting
Children's House of Montessori on Main will be having a FREE Parent Workshop entitled "What IS Montessori?" on Saturday, June 6, from 10am until noon. Light refreshments will be provided.
Glastonbury Gay Pride Festival
St James’ and St. Luke’s will represent the Episcopal churches in Glastonbury at the Third Annual Gay Pride event at Hubbard Green on Sunday, June 14th from 2pm - 6pm. Free parking is available at the Glastonbury High School. Come and enjoy crafts and fun!
Jazz Sunday
Our Annual event, Jazz Sunday, features the music of Hot Cat Jazz Band incorporated into a Holy Eucharist service. All our welcome to experience this unique blend of music and worship.
Reiki, An Ancient Practice for Healing
On Thursday, May 21 st at 7:00 pm, St. James’
Episcopal Church, 2584 Main Street, Glastonbury is hosting a presentation on Reiki, an
ancient practice for healing, by Reiki Master Libby Campbell. Reiki therapy is based on an
Eastern belief that universal or divine energy, the life force (“Ki” in Japanese), happens in all
living things. Focusing on major or minor energy centers (chakras), the healer’s hands are
held either lightly on or above the body to channel healing energy to the receiver. The
presentation will include a description of what Reiki is and how it works followed by an
actual demonstration.
Pick N Take N Make a Donation
t's Outreach Sunday on May 17th. On that Sunday, we will hold a Pick and Take and Make a Donation event in the parish hall from 11:30am ( after the service) to 1pm. At that time, the congregation will be able to see and select items we have culled from the basement, the lower level, and upper level. There will be no "pre selling". Items available include: carpet squares, a popcorn machine, tables, books, and lots more. We will ask that you make a donation in whatever amount you think is fair. All money raised will go into the Outreach budget, for them to distribute as they see fit. We will collect cash and/or checks. Or you can make a donation online, noting that it will go to Outreach. See you then.
Hartford Yard Goats Baseball
Join us at Dunkin Park on Saturday, May 16th to share fellowship and fun as the Yard Goats play the Portland Sea Dogs at 6:10pm. We have 30 tickets available at $15 each for the right field porch. Come see a great game, eat great food and see our name on the Jumbotron. Sign up in the Atrium. See Susan Wright for payment details and information on electronic transfer of tickets.
Adult Bible Study
Adult Bible Study is held on Sundays at 9:15am. We will meet in the Priest in Charge office upstairs near the Parish Hall.
Let's discuss The Prophet Jeremiah chapters 40-46.
The last day of Adult Bible Study is 5/17/26 at 9:15AM in the Rector's Office before summer break.
Speaking of summer break, the reading for over summer is "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.
Men's Dinner
Men's Group Dinner What do you get when you combine Cinco de Mayo with the National Day of Prayer?
You get the next MENS' DINNER event, of course!
The National Day of Prayer shares common roots with the celebration of Thanksgiving; both were national proclamations establishing a day of prayer. The fall observance was established by President Abraham Lincoln as the official Thanksgiving holiday in 1863. The spring observance was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1952 as the National Day of Prayer.
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
I will figure out how to combine the two holidays because we have plenty to celebrate and plenty to pray about : )
This month's slogan: ATTEND & BRING A FRIEND! (or .... Atender y traer a un amigo! )
Enjoy the warming weather and please mark your calendars.
Cheers!
Dan Aramini
Informational Forum
45 Minutes with Canon Rebekah Hatch, Canon for Lay and Ordained Vocations. She will address the changes happening around ECCT and will share some ideas and answer questions on how St James’ can develop new leaders through discernment and Christian formation.
Easter Sunday Service and Egg Hunt
Alleluia! The Lord is Risen! The joyous service of Easter will be held on Sunday, April 5th at 10:15 am. This festive service will include special music, Holy Eucharist, sermon, a Baptism and the return of the Alleluia banner. Following the service will be an Easter Egg hunt for children and Coffee Hour.
Good Friday
The service of Good Friday will be held in the sanctuary on Friday, April 3rd at noon. Join us for this most solemn day in the Christian calendar.
Maundy Thursday
Please join us as we observe Maundy Thursday in the Sanctuary at 7pm on April 2nd. The service will include Holy Eucharist, sermon, music and a Stripping of the Altar.
Palm Sunday Breakfast
To mark Palm Sunday, breakfast will be served before the Palm Sunday Service beginning at 9:00 AM.
Scrambled eggs, cheesy grits, bacon, fruit breads and fruit salad will be served.
After the service there will be no coffee hour because we are asked to leave the church in silence.
Lenten Meditations
A Time Apart…. Lenten Meditation Series Begins
Beginning on Wednesday, February 25 from 7pm – 8pm St. James will host a Lenten
Meditation Series. During this quiet time, Libby Campbell will lead us in the
contemplative model of prayer, readings, guided meditation and silence to center and
ground ourselves and open to the healing grace and peace of the Holy One. This
intentional time apart during the reflective season of Lent will draw on readings and
prayers from John O’Donohue, John Phillip Newell, Theresa of Avila, Mary Oliver, the
Book of Common Prayer, and others. No prep, no homework, just come as you are.
Libby is a grandmother of five, a Spiritual Director (trained with Shalem Institute for
Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC), an experienced retreat and J2A pilgrimage
leader, Stephen Minister, Compassionate Care Visitor, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Reiki Master and child of God.
Lenten Meditations
During the season of Lent, St. James’ will offer Lenten Meditations to the Lenten Meditation on Wednesday evenings 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm from February 25 – April 1. Titled “A Time Apart” leader Libby Campbell will lead us in the contemplative model of prayer, readings, guided meditation and silence to center and ground ourselves and open to the healing grace and peace of the Holy One. No prep, no homework, just come as you are. Libby is a grandmother of five, a Spiritual Director, Reiki Master, fellow seeker and Child of God. All are welcome.
Lenten Meditations
During the season of Lent, St. James’ will offer Lenten Meditations to the Lenten Meditation on Wednesday evenings 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm from February 25 – April 1. Titled “A Time Apart” leader Libby Campbell will lead us in the contemplative model of prayer, readings, guided meditation and silence to center and ground ourselves and open to the healing grace and peace of the Holy One. No prep, no homework, just come as you are. Libby is a grandmother of five, a Spiritual Director, Reiki Master, fellow seeker and Child of God. All are welcome.
Lenten Meditations
During the season of Lent, St. James’ will offer Lenten Meditations to the Lenten Meditation on Wednesday evenings 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm from February 25 – April 1. Titled “A Time Apart” leader Libby Campbell will lead us in the contemplative model of prayer, readings, guided meditation and silence to center and ground ourselves and open to the healing grace and peace of the Holy One. No prep, no homework, just come as you are. Libby is a grandmother of five, a Spiritual Director, Reiki Master, fellow seeker and Child of God. All are welcome.
Ongoing Community Events
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AA Meeting
Every Sunday
7:30pm-8:30pm
Meets in Parish Hall
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Al Anon Meeting
Every Monday
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Meets in Parish Hall
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Al Anon Meeting
Women only
Every Tuesday
7:00-8:00PM
Meets in Parish Hall
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AA Came to Believe Meeting
Every Wednesday
7:30pm-8:30pm
Meets in Parish Hall