SERVICES AND GATHERINGS THIS WEEK
SUNDAY – This coming Sunday (August 14) will be the last official service at which our interim priest, the Very Reverend Peter Wall, will preside and preach. What a blessing it has been for St. James to have had Peter as our interim as we went through the process of transitioning to our new rector. He brought wisdom, caring, experience and expertise to the role and served us … and the Diocese … well. We wish God’s blessings on Peter in his new role.
If you are unable to attend, the service is live streamed. Links to the service and order of service are on our website stjamesdundas.ca and our Facebook page.
WEDNESDAY – COMPLINE - Compline is a short service of night prayer. The heart of Compline is the recitation of several psalms. There is a short reading from scripture, intercession, and time for reflection. It is a beautiful way to close out an active day. Compline is offered by St. James’ through Facebook to bring the community together. If you cannot join live, the service is available afterwards on St. James’ Facebook channel.
Office Hours –Office will be closed Friday, August 12th and Monday, August 15th.
COMING EVENTS
THIS SATURDAY
Yes … Saturday … we could use some assistance in the gardens! If you can help with a little bit of “sweat equity”, please join us at 9.00 a.m…or so …. And, even if you cannot physically help, come along, bring some cheerful voices … and some sweets to keep us going.
THIS SUNDAY
If you are attending the service on Sunday and staying for the reception later, please bring some finger foods to share OR bring something in for St. Matthews House to help seniors who are having difficulty with the inflationary pressures we are currently experiencing.
LEPROSY MISSION OF CANADA.
As many of you already know, every year St. James sends our collected stamps to the Leprosy Mission of Canada; this organization in turn sells them to dealers to raise funds to help Leprosy patients in the developing world. We recently received a letter of thanks from this agency and here is an excerpt from that letter.
"We continue to be encouraged by the enthusiastic response from stamp contributors, due in part, to an extraordinary amount of stamps received from people such as the members of your church. Our goal is to raise $6,000 in 2022, which will allow us to bring the cure to 60 leprosy patients. Through medical treatment, as well as education and rehabilitation, you are helping to restore dignity and courage to those who have suffered far too long"
We will continue collecting stamps ALL THROUGH THE YEAR and the total package will be sent at the end of the calendar year (taking advantage of Christmas card stamps).
Please note that donated stamps should have a border of at least 1/4" around them.
TEA AND TREASURES
If you have any treasures – jewelry, fine china, linens, silver evening wear, accessories - that you are willing to donate for this sale, please contact any of organizing team - Lynne M. , Audrey , or Judith – or you can bring the items into the church. Please label for “T & T”.
Help will be needed, particularly the day before for setup and for the actual event on October 1st. If you want to volunteer to help and can’t wait for the sign-up sheets, Lynne, Audrey, Judith or Jill will be happy to accept your offer.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT OUR CHURCH BUILDING
IF YOU ARE IN THE BUILDING, PLEASE SIGN IN USING THE BINDER AT THE DOOR … AND SIGN OUT WHEN YOU LEAVE.
PLANNING FOR THE FALL
One of the things we have come to realize happens at St. James is a “flurry” of activity starting in early September. This “feels” a little like the airlines all of a sudden getting into high gear … and we don’t want the same level of problems associated with the airlines facing us as a parish as we move into high gear.
Here are some of the key activities that are taking place in the next few months.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER INCLUDE
Note that most of these events will have additional information in the weekly e-blasts OR at the church office. And, of course, this list is very “fluid” in nature and will be updated as we get “into” a routine again (COVID permitting). For example, there are several groups that will be opening up again (e.g. Body and Soul) … and this information will be updated for you. AND, to illustrate the fluidity…. please note the change in date for the Trivia Night – now scheduled for October 15. Sunday, August 14th – last service at St. James for Dean Peter Wall, followed by a reception in the Nathex.
Sunday, August 21st – Barry S. will preach at the service this morning, doing an introduction to the Missional Initiative taking place in September and October.
Sunday August 21st to Wednesday August 31 – order your chrysanthemums for delivery on September 10th
Sunday August 28th – again, we thank The Reverend Canon Peter Davison for his dedication to our parish and for his assistance with the Sunday services this summer. The Reverend Carol Overing, who presided and preached on several occasions in July and August should also be thanked for her contribution. If you get a chance, please say “thanks” to these great honorary assistants of St. James.
Saturday, September 3 – Garden Work in the morning … the regular first Saturday in the month. Come out and enjoy some “sweat equity” and fellowship. Can’t help physically?? … drop by and cheer them on – or bring sweets. Wednesday, September 7 – Evening Missional Initiative Meeting with Canon Christyn Perkons, Director of Congregational Support and Development, Diocese of Niagara (7.00 – 8.00 p.m.) ZOOM.
Saturday, September 10 – Mum Pick up. This is not a dating service. Sunday, September 18 – 1st Missional Action Plan Meeting, after the regular service on Sunday - Faith Formation and Discipleship (one hour) Friday, September 23 – St. James Women’s Fundraising Turkey Dinner (see the poster below for details) Sunday, September 25 – 2nd Missional Action Plan Meeting, after the regular service on Sunday – Reshaping Parish Culture to Enable Ministry (one hour)
Saturday, October 1st – Tea and Treasures (Parlour and Dundas Room) Sunday, October 2nd – 3rd Missional Action Plan Meeting, after the regular service on Sunday – Fullness of Life in our neighbourhood (one hour)
Sunday, October 2nd – A special event to which you are invited – the collation and installation of our new priest as CANON Leslie Gerlofs (long awaited due to COVID restriction). 4.00 p.m. at the Cathedral.
Saturday, October 15 – Trivia Night - Dundas Room – NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATE.
Sunday, October 16 – 4th Missional Action Plan Meeting after the regular service on Sunday – Prioritizing our Mission Action Plan (one hour)
FOOD SECURITY
This is a growing problem not just here but on a global scale. Did you know that Russia and Ukraine supply 80% of East Africa’s wheat flour? Millions of tonnes of grain (estimates say probably 100 million!) are stuck in Ukrainian ports. Conflicts in Ethiopia and Syria have forced people to relocate, and the subsequent refugee crises have disrupted food systems globally. Food is more expensive than families can afford, and distribution of emergency food is much more difficult. This has all been complicated by the drought in sub-Saharan Africa … and the pandemic. You can donate directly through the website of Canadian Foodgrains Bank of which PWRDF is a member. You can donate at donation.mcccanada.ca/hunger or by calling 1-888-622-6337.
A SMILE FOR THE DAY
AND… A REFLECTION …. FOR THE WEEK
These reflections are meant to be just that! Not a statement about the tenets of our religion or, heaven forbid, a social justice or political stance of any kind … just a little tidbit to generate some thought … and perhaps some conversation with others within the parish family of St. James, and beyond.
