SERVICES AND GATHERINGS THIS WEEK
SUNDAY – Service is at 10 am. 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 as a way to bring the community together. If you cannot join live, the service is available afterwards on St. James’ Facebook channel.
THURSDAY - Our coffee hour occurs on Zoom at 10am. Join us to chat and enjoy one another’s company for an hour. Bring your own coffee! Contact the office before Thursday for the link 905-627-1424 or stjamesdundas@outlook.com
THE PRAYERGROUND
Check out the May 2022 Prayerground video. Follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUJjCvu0P98
A TRIBUTE TO WAYNE ALLAN
It was Maundy Thursday and the parish family had just finished a traditional “seder” followed by the Maundy Thursday service. We had not yet learned to ask people to bring their own dishes … and the kitchen was FILLED with dirty dishes. Quietly, Wayne and Sheila started … and finished cleaning up all the dishes and straightening out the whole kitchen. No fuss, no muss … just an efficient cleanup completed … and appreciated. Our first real encounter with Wayne and Sheila as members of St. James.
Although I had met Sheila in an earlier life (high school!), I was just getting to know Wayne. I quickly realized that he was everything I had wanted to be! A creative, deep thinker with a quiet way that encouraged easy conversation. His creativity was exemplified by the wonderful artwork that he produced – in a variety of media. Lynne and I are honoured to have three of his works in our home; they always draw comments from visitors. Wayne was his own person and gave of himself to his church. He was active in the men’s Spirituality Group.
The sculpture that we will be blessing this Sunday – Emerging Angel (aptly named by our own Sue P.) is an example of Wayne’s fine contribution to the arts at St. James … and in Dundas.
FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR
Now that the church is back to in-person services, we are resuming having flowers placed on the altar in memory of/thanksgiving for someone. Contact Nina , who is now our new Flower Coordinator through the office at 905-627-1424. Let her know what date you would like and what you would like to have said in the Sunday bulletin. We would also like to thank Nora for being the Flower Coordinator in the past and for the diligence and time she put into that role.
PLANT PICK UP REMINDER
If you ordered plants through the Plant Sale, pick up time is May 14th from 11am-1pm.
COFFEE HOUR
Coffee Time after church has resumed. For this wonderful social time to continue we need volunteers for set-up (make the coffee and tea, put out sugar, milk) and for clean-up (wash mugs/dishes, clean out urns). Two separate sign-ups, if you are interested please add your name to the sign-up sheets after service on Sunday or call the church office.
ANOTHER WALKING TOUR – THIS TIME AT THE GROVE CEMETERY!
EAST COAST KITCHEN PARTY – Get your tickets soon as they are selling fast!
MISSIONAL INITIATIVE
The Persistent Parish: Pursuing Missional Movement in Cozy Congregations (Winter 2022) was taught by Leanne Friesen to a group of ten with a mix of clergy and laity. Leanne was an excellent teacher who involved participants and mixed didactic presentation, class participation and use of online videos skillfully. Homework was interesting and included interviewing someone who once went to church and no longer attends and examining your church’s website as if you were someone who had never attended church.
We examined changing trends in church attendance and the challenges to attracting new members. We discussed what it means to be hospitable and the subtle ways we may not include new members. We explored the idea that the key task of the church is to create disciples. We were encouraged to look at the unique context and gifts associated with our church, and we discussed leadership in church parishes.
I see the church differently after taking this course and encourage others to take it. Leanne was very knowledgeable about literature related to church attendance and church mission. Often as I ponder programming, fundraising and church services I consider what she said. Some ideas I continue to ponder are.
When churches struggle, we often focus on more programs rather than revisiting our mission.
What did Jesus do 2000 years ago that led to what we see today?
Faith is life changing and with faith we do not stay the same.
What are the stories that shape our church? How do we create a faithful presence?
How we embrace change in the church? Ministers have been trained for a church that no longer exists.
People do not grieve change, they grieve loss! What have we learned and how has COVID changed church?
People long for community and purpose.
If our church left who would miss it?
Lynn D.
[This is one in a series, authored by the members of the Missional Initiative Committee. In the near future, the group will be meeting to discuss possible implementation of a method to determine if/how to proceed with the Missional Initiative in St. James. There is a formal “plan” which the parish would follow which results in the parish examining its present status as a missional parish and where it should be headed in the future. More information will be coming forth after the committee has met again, and made recommendations to the Corporation and Parish Council]
"ALL CANDIDATES MEETING"
for the Riding of Hamilton West, Ancaster, Dundas.
Thursday May 19th at 7pm
Dundas Baptist Church 201 Governors Road, doors open at 6.30pm.
Or view on You tube https://youtu.be/lt0yv5QToXQ
Wearing of masks is required, Thank You
FILM CREW ON SITE IN THE PARKING LOT WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th and THURSDAY, MAY 12th.
Please be prepared to park on the street during these two days if you are coming to the church.