Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 11/20/22

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Dear Members and Friends of St. James,

This week I call to your attention several items of importance. 

  • The first is to remind you that our vestry meet on Sunday next, following Eucharist.  You are invited to see your parish as it deals with the everyday matters pertaining to the upkeep of our campus and the support of our mission in Teele Square and beyond.
  • On Sunday 11 December, the second Sunday of December, which is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, our Bishop – diocesan, the Rt. Rev. Alan Gates, will make his first in-person visitation since the beginning of our ongoing pandemic.  He will be the celebrant at Eucharist, and following a brief reception, he will meet with the vestry.  Your presence is welcome and desired for these events on the occasion of his visit.
  • The chair of our Altar Guild is seeking volunteers to assist in the greening of the sanctuary for Christmas.  An initial session is scheduled for Sunday, 18 December, following Eucharist.  Please consider lending a hand.
  • Flowers which adorn our altar of a Sunday are there because of your generosity.  Especially is your financial support needed for the beautiful plants that adorn the church and the altar at Christmas.  This would be a splendid and moving way to remember those who have been important in your life and in the life of our parish.  Please consider making a donation of time and money.
  • Once again, we are indebted to the Garden Committee of neighboring St. John’s Church – Arlington, whose members joined our new sexton on Saturday last, in preparation of our grounds for winter months.  Should your tasks bring you through Teele Square, take a moment to admire the beauty of our campus and to say a silent thanks to our sexton and St. John’s Church.
  • I should like to thank all who have submitted your pledge notices for the year ahead of us.  Our vestry is able to make deliberate and intelligent plans for our parish, as we continue to emerge from hibernation after COVID.
  • A gentle reminder give I you: There will be no on-site liturgy on Thursday next, Thanksgiving Day.

Of your charity, I bid you pray for peace, both at home and abroad.  Especially, I ask us all to pause for a moment of reflective thanksgiving for this land which we have inherited from generations before, that we might share its bounty with those around us, but also preserve it for those who come after.  We pray:
Almighty and gracious God, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them.  Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ore ever.  Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you, and those whom you love, for ever.  Amen.

Your fellow traveler in The Way,
CEB+