STAYING SAFE WHEN WE GATHER
This past week the city of Hamilton put in place new requirements for screening at all places of work and business, this includes churches. We are required to screen all people who enter the building. As a reminder please remember the following:
Do not come to the building without an appointment.
If you come to the building for any reason at any time, in any role, you will need to sign in, have your temperature taken, sanitize your hands and sign out also.
Masks must be worn at all times in the building.
Please remember not to sing during worship, no matter how tempting.
Please keep to our one-way system through the building and keep physical distance throughout the space.
NEW – We are aware that during winter it is cold, wet and possibly icy on the walk around the building and so, following worship, we will leave via the centre door of the church and may exit left through the front doors (preferred) OR right through the corridor to the parking lot. Please remember to exit swiftly and keep distancing.
THANK YOU
A special thanks to our greeters who ensure not only that we can worship together safely twice a week, but also enable our funerals and other special services. Thank you all for your time and work.
GREETERS
We are seeking more volunteers willing to be greeters at Saint James- either to join our Sunday teams regularly, or be back-up greeters or available for special services like funerals. There will be training for new greeters on Saturday 9th January 2021 930am. If you would like to take on this ministry please contact Barb Busing at bbusing1@gmail.com
VESTRY REPORTS
We anticipate that our vestry report will be significantly shorter this coming year. However, if you are a ministry leader at Saint James please consider submitting a report to Mike by December 31st 2020 for inclusion in our 2021 Vestry Report. The Vestry meeting will be held via Zoom in February.
END OF YEAR RECEIPTS AND DONATIONS
If you need to submit a receipt or invoice for reimbursement it must be submitted by January 4th 2021 at the latest. Donations for this financial year (2020) must be made by Wednesday 6th January 2021.
MILK BAG COLLECTION RESUMES
Milk bag Collection has resumed! We are resuming collection of CLEAN AND DRY OUTER MILK BAGS. You can drop them off at church in the designated box in the narthex after worship on Sunday or Wednesdays. For more information call the office 905-627-1424
Thanks so much for your continuing support of this initiative to reuse plastic waste.
E-TRANSFER
We are now able to accept e-transfers to the church. If you use e-transfers from your bank account you can send money to saintjamesgiving@gmail.com and it will be deposited in our account. If your donation is designated to a particular appeal or a payment for something, please indicate that clearly in the notes!
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR
All are welcome to chat and connect with one another online using ZOOM each Thursday at 10am. Join us this Thursday 17th December
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 871 4881 4827
Passcode: 448066
SEASONAL MASKS
Christmas Masks are on sale- 4 for $20 so we can clear our seasonal stock!
Stocking stuffers, tree or table gifts, or just a seasonal mask for your own use- we have masks for sale!
After church or pick up by appointment from the parish office, Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning.
Please sell our abundance of masks far and wide!
FUNDRAISING- SUPPORTING THE CHURCH AT THIS TIME
We have a dedicated, hardworking team exploring various fundraising ideas during this time of pandemic when so many of our regular church activities cannot happen. Here’s how you can help contribute to our effort. Please contact Lynn Dykeman for more information:
No donations for refugees at this time.
If you have an item you think can be sold online, is worth 20 dollars and one person can lift it and it can be no bigger than a cardboard box we will accept it. Contact Lynn.
Donations of books, older is better, first editions are better, all are accepted
Donations of all jewellery accepted.
Donations of any and all gold and silver accepted, even that odd earring!
Gifts baskets of books are on sale in the Narthex after worship for $15.
READING THE BIBLE:
For those who wish to keep a pattern of daily Bible readings and reflections, the Bible readings for this coming week are below. The suggested readings are the Gospel reading appointed in the daily lectionary for the celebration of the Eucharist. This week:
Monday 14th December Matthew 21.23-37
Tuesday Matthew 21.28-32
Wednesday Luke 7.19-23
Thursday Matthew 1.1-7, 17
Friday Matthew 1.18-25
Saturday Luke 1.5-25
Sunday Luke 1.26-38
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Advent 3- Joy
Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season.
May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives.
We want to find you in the everyday moments
and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.