A traditional service of Advent Lessons & Carols will be presented on Sunday, December 7, at 10:15 am at St. James’ Church. Patterned after the service from King’s College, Cambridge (UK), biblical readings will tell the story of the coming of the Savior, from the Garden of Eden to the birth of Christ. The Holy Eucharist will follow as well as fellowship in the Atrium. Music for the service will be provided by the St. James’ Adult Choir, guest singers, and instrumentalists, all directed by Minister of Music James R. Barry. Carols offered include several by contemporary women composers. Advent hymns will be sung by all, accompanied by organ and clarinet. The Reverend Dave Carter will be the officiant, and members of the church’s Sunday School, congregation, and Vestry will read the lessons. Advent Lessons & Carols is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

DATE: Thursday - December 4th

TIME: 6:00PM Appetizers & Dining starts at 6:30PM 

PLACE: Church Hall at St James' Episcopal Church (2584 Main St GLBY)

Given the likely cooler temperatures, we decided that CHILI is required! Ed Crow, Mitch Chester, and I are making different chili recipes. We are looking forward to zesty food, hot sauces, and warm fellowship.  

Probable menu items include Mexican-style Chocolate & Beer Chili, a Cuban Beef Chili, plus Ed's classic Purdue Boilermaker Tailgate Chili ....with Salad and plenty of Corn Bread! I plan to bring some vegetarian chili for those who are trying to avoid meat ... unless someone has a favorite non-meat chili recipe they want to make & bring. Let me know if you do.  

This will be our final Dinner of 2025 and a fun way to kick-off Advent which starts a few days earlier. So, think of this as a liturgical New Year Celebration! 

If you have not been to a Men's Dinner this year - it is super easy and fun. All you have to do is show up. Up your game by inviting a friend. Over 20 attendees and I do the dishes while Mitch dries. Fewer and he gets the sponge while I get the towel. 

Your Vestry will be meeting on Tuesday November 25th for their monthly meeting. All members of St. James' parish are invited to attend. No need to reserve a seat, just drop by the church at 7PM. Your comments will be welcomed, especially questions regarding the transition process to our next Priest-in-Charge will be answered.

Celtic Vespers will be presented on Sunday, November 16, at 7:00 pm. The traditional candlelit service, based on the Iona Community of Scotland, will include readings, prayers, and music in a meditative setting. The theme of the service is the changing of seasons, including the equinox and solstice. A reception follows the service with delicious finger food and beverages. 

Wild Notes will perform, a group known for their energetic and exuberant traditional acoustic music with roots in Irish, Scottish, French-Canadian, jazz, and classical. Their original arrangements of New England and Celtic reels, jigs, hornpipes, and waltzes delight and surprise listeners. Instruments include Celtic harp, concertina, accordion, fiddle, and flute, performed by Kasha Breau, John Kalinowski, and Mickey Koth.  

The Women’s Choir will present the Celtic chant, Tar a thighearna, All things bright and beautiful by John Rutter, and A Celtic Blessing by Joanna L’Strange.

 Celtic Vespers is open to the public and all are invited to attend. Please note that incense will be used at this service. The service is offered without admission.

The next Communications meeting will be held on Monday, November 10th  7pm via Zoom and in person in the Meeting Room.  Lisa Gleason, who has taken on the leadership role for Carol's Closet, is stepping away from the Communications Committee.  We are grateful for her work over the past years.  And, Jim Barry will be leaving us as well at the end of the year.  So, please consider joining us in this important ministry.  Contact Gail Lebert glebert14@gmail.com and/or come to the meeting.  

Agenda Items Include:  

Advent Services promotion and advertising

Facebook and Instagram point person

How to get more people to our new website

Planning for the Annual Report

Budget items for 2026

The regular meeting of St. James’ Vestry, the governing body of our church is scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month. All are welcome to attend the meeting.

TRANSITION ~ LISTENING AND OPINION GATHERING 

On this coming Sunday October 26th, the Vestry will hold a special parish gathering immediately following the 10:15 AM service in St. James’ Parish Hall.  Your Vestry is very much interested in hearing your opinions and ideas about St. James' future and what qualities you would like to see in our next clergy person.  This will be your chance to offer  feedback and hear the opinions  of fellow parishioners.    Coffee, tea, juice and bagels will be served.  If you are not able to attend in person, please reach out to any Vestry member and have a conversation with them by October 30th.  

Thank you for your continued interest and participation in this very important piece of St. James’ Transition process.

Folks,

Let's discuss The Prophet Isaiah chapters 24-27 for this session. While you are reading these chapters, consider how John was influenced to pen

"The Revelation to John" (hint: Isaiah 24-27, Revelation 19 and 20) and consider  how Genesis 3:1 relates to Isaiah 27:1.

See you then. Shalom, Clint

The Outreach Mission/ Faith N Action is planning to meet after the worship service on September 28th in our newly redecorated Meeting Room downstairs. Lunch will be served.  We have decisions to make and activities to planthat serve our community. Please join us and bring your energy and your ideas.All are welcome for this discussion.  Cheryl Turner

All are welcome to come and participate or just listen. For this week, let's discuss Isaiah chapters 1-5.

While you are reading these chapters, consider:

What does God mean in Isaiah 2:22?

What was God's promise in Isaiah 4:2?

What was God's lament in Isaiah 5?

What did God promise to the people of Judah in chapter 5 (hint: 5:26, and that there is still hope Isaiah 1-4)?

The regular meeting of St. James’ Vestry, the governing body of our church is scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month. All are welcome to attend the meeting.

On Sunday, September 21st, St. James' will enjoy worship with the Lutheran Church of Saint Mark at JB Williams Park 705 Neipsic Road Glastonbury at 11am. The service will be led by Saint Mark's Licensed Lay Minister John Proser, who will consecrate and offer communion. Different from the Episcopal Church, in some ELCA congregations, specially trained and authorized lay ministers are permitted to give communion. The practice of a lay person administering the sacrament is a temporary measure and requires ELCA bishopal authorization to maintain church order and continuity. 

Following the service we will enjoy lunch together. Grinders and beverages will be provided. A sign up sheet is in the Atrium.  We have been asked to bring desserts. On Sunday, September 21st, there will be no Adult Bible Study, Sunday School or service at St. James'.  

Please join us for a late summer "weeding" event at the church. We will focus on the north side of the building (proceeding to the Main Street and north side of the parking lot, if time allows), including the Memorial Garden, as these areas have been neglected recently, being out of sight and mind.

We will get as much done as we can from 9:00 a.m. to noon, at which time hot dogs and hamburgers will be served in the Parish Hall for all helpers. (Please bring any other goodies you would like to share, as well.)

Please bring your gardening and pruning tools, gloves and knowledge or what is a weed and what needs to be pruned. Even if you can come for an hour or so, that would be great.

Engaging the Community (ETC) returns with an informative session on IT security.

Following the worship service, we will kick off the Fall season with a Parish Picnic. All are welcome to join in the fellowship, the food and the fun.

Adult Bible Study returns after Summer hiatus. The discussion will include the book "Universal Christ" by Franciscan Priest Richard Rohr.

All members of St. James' parish are invited to attend. No need to reserve a seat, just drop by the church loft at 7PM.