Nov 2012 Newsletter 10-24-12 - Saint James Episcopal Church

THE TOWER CHIMES
The Newsletter of
St. James’ Episcopal Church
Phone: (845) 294-6225
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (845) 294-8794
Website: www.stjamesgoshen.org
What does a Christian Commitment look like?
From the Rector
This time of year you hear a lot of stewardship talk at Church.
This is a good thing, even though some people think the Church should
never talk about money (and by extension time and talent). Historically
I don’t know where people got the idea that the Church can exist without
material support? Christian Spirituality is not tainted or soiled by its
relationship to material things, like money or human endeavor. The
Apostles and countless saints offered everything for the Gospel. Because
the Church is made up by flawed human beings, anything can be misused or misappropriated. But human beings, broken as we are, can also
be used by God to build up his Kingdom. The Church is holy, not because it is perfect, but because it is faithful. Sometimes we have to ask
the primary question of our purpose and life together: what does our
faith and our relationship to Jesus really mean to us? Is it a significant
part of who we are or is it an insignificant side note of competing priorities in our lives? I have always believed that if a person is going to
profess being a Christian then it should be all or nothing. Today, in our
society, people are complacent with the wealth and comfort provided by
a lifestyle centered on personal entitlement. Lost is our commitment to
others and to things shared in common. In terms of our faith, most people opt for limited commitment, which reminds me of a passage from
the Book of Revelation:
“Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the
churches. ‘ I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that
you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither
cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, “I
am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.”’ You do not realize that
you are (spiritually) wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:13, 16-17
Continued on page 2
November 2012
Inside this Issue:
From the Rector
1-2
Christmas Fair
3
Jazz at Vespers
3
Vestry-Altar Flowers
4
Angel Outreach
4
Events-Mission
5
Worship Schedule
5
Sunday School
6
Nursery Care
6
Field Trips
7
Greeters
7
Outreach
8
Stewardship
9
Dom Perfetti
10
Celebrations
11
Page 2
Our society is lost in the fog of personal self-centeredness. Everything is viewed from the
perspective of the individual, through the lens of personal relativism; things only matter if I think
so. This is not new to human nature- it is as old as Adam and Eve. Jesus came to offer us a new
way to see things. He wanted to free us from the prison of self. Jesus said that the two most
important things are to love God and one another. We are called to be free from our own personal needs, wants, desires in order to live and love others. Christianity is a process of transformation from selfish people to loving people, from lukewarm people to people of passion, rich in
the love of God for all. A Christian commitment cannot be lukewarm, it must have substance.
The following is a list of things that make up a concrete, real decision to be followers of Jesus
Christ and members of the Church:

A committed Christian is one who is committed to a relationship with Jesus Christ and his
Gospel. Commitment is a way of the heart expressing itself in a way of life.

Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:31: "I die daily." I've never met a fully devoted follower of
Christ who didn't have to die daily to a host of things that would like to have a grip on them—
personal ambition, worldly pleasures, people's adulation, greed, etc. Our culture ferociously
maintains that "you can have it all," but that slogan is foreign to the mind and teaching of
Christ.

Jesus' command in Luke 10:27 to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind." This means we need to order
our lives in such a way that we can live in the constant awareness of God’s presence.

In the Baptismal Covenant in the Prayer Book we promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. This completes the commandment of Luke 10:27 to
love one another. (In fact, read the Baptismal Covenant on page 304-05 in the Book of
Common Prayer to better understand our commitment as followers of Christ!)

A committed Christian is called to "Seek first the kingdom of God," or "Always abound in the
work of the Lord," or "Set your mind on things above," or "What does it profit you to gain the
whole world and lose your soul?" In other words, the Christian life is a self-offering of ourselves that includes our time, talents and treasures for the work of the Kingdom.

A committed Christian is called to cultivate personal spiritual development through: selfexamination, prayer, Bible study, reflection, repentance and self-denial, and loving service.

A committed Christian is part of a community (Church). You cannot really grow as Christian
apart from the community or in isolation.
This is by no means a comprehensive list or all inclusive statement of faith. Yet, to be a
Christian involves a set of practices that mark us as who we are. Jesus invites us to change
our hearts and our lives. Jesus intended this change to be life giving and hope fulfilling, and it
is. Love is transformational if we will let ourselves participate in it. We are called to commitment. May this season of stewardship remind us all of what has meaning and really matters
in our lives as they are lived out in Christ’s love.
Father Carl+
The Tower Chimes
November 2012
Page 3
The St. James’ Christmas Fair
Saturday, November 17th
10:00am – 3:00pm
St. James’ Episcopal Church will be hosting their Annual Christmas Fair on Saturday,
November 17 from 10:00am-3:00pm. Be sure to put the date on your calendar.
We will be featuring The Boutique with handmade crafts, sewn items etc.
The Cathedral Shop (located in the church) is where you can purchase Advent Calendars, Candles, T-Shirts, St. James’ Note Cards and other gift items with a Christian Message. We also have Christmas Ornaments and more.
The Bake Sale will as always include our most sought after homemade treats, cakes,
pies, and beautiful cookies. Great for Thanksgiving
Attic Treasures will include gift items, jewelry, household items, collectables, small furniture, antiques, decorative items etc.
Lunch will also be available at the Fair. We also will be selling Homemade Soups
The Saint James’ Christmas Raffle Tickets are 6 for $5.00.
"Jazz at Vesper Time"
November 18, 2012
6:00 p.m.
"We had a very enjoyable evening on Sunday, September 30th, with a Jazz performance
at Vesper Time. Caroline Tippin was on vocals and flute; Christopher Dean Sullivan (of
Cornerstone Arts Alliance) was on stand-up bass; Joe Vincent Tranchina was on piano,
and Tani Tabbal was on drums. The featured material was Brazilian jazz. Many parishioners attended the event, as well as a few newcomers. It was conceived of as an outreach
event, and while it had a strong beginning, we need to do more "reaching out" to make it a
success next time and assure its' continuity. If you came last time, please come to the
next one which is scheduled for Sunday, November 18th, at 6pm. And please bring a
friend or two, or three!! While I, Caroline, will still be hosting (and singing a bit!) the
event along with Chris Sullivan, there will be a new featured vocalist and a different
rhythm section, so come hear the new material!"
The Tower Chimes
The Tower Chimes
Xxxxx
is the official monthly
publication of St. James’
Episcopal Church.
The Rev. M. Carl Lunden
Rector
Genie McMonigle
Secretary
Petrina Varone
Editor
November 2012
Page 4
ANGEL TREE OUTREACH
We will be doing our Angel Tree Gift Distribution
again this year, working with Orange County Safe
Homes. The tree will be set up on November 25th. Each
Angel will have one gift on it, which you may purchase
and return to the church by December 16th.
Every year, we are inspired and touched by the incredible generosity of this Parish. Please know that your
gifts make a big difference in these people's lives and the
staff at Safe Homes are incredibly grateful.
If you have any questions or ideas, contact Marci
Hanners Event Chair.
VESTRY
Jeanne Healy, Warden
Chris Tippin, Warden
Debbie Brown
Val Bynum
Edward Connor
Jan Golding
Steve Matula
David Meffert
Tom Nixon
Lillian Quintero
Jerre Coleman,
Treasurer
Nicole Wiggins,
Assistant Treasurer
Tammy Matula,
Clerk
ALTAR FLOWERS
November 04 - Mabee
November 11 - C. Hamilton
November 18 - Bloem
November 25 - Strobl
The Tower Chimes
November 2012
Page 5
OUR MISSION
Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday evenings at 8:30 pm
A.R.T.S.
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm
Boys Scouts
Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm
Camera Club
2nd Tuesday of each month at 7: 15pm
St. James’ seeks to love and
serve God through Discipleship,
Community Service and
Eucharistic Fellowship.
We encourage spiritual growth
and maturity by educating each
other in the knowledge of the
Christian Gospel.
We seek to live in the image of
Jesus Christ and invite our
neighbors to participate in our
family of faith.
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm
Community Dinner at St. James’
Last Saturday of each month at 5:30 pm
Food bagging at the Presbyterian Church
Every Tuesday morning at 9:15 a.m.
Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry Distributions
2nd Saturday of every month at 9:30 am
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
The last Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm
Sunday Worship
Healing and Holy Eucharist
Wednesdays at noon, followed by a Fellowship Lunch
Junior Choir rehearsal
Sunday mornings from 11:20 to 11:45 am
Musical Munchkins
Thursday and Friday Mornings at 9:30 am
Sunday School
Sunday morning from 10:15 am—11:20 am
Vestry meeting
2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:15 pm
Youth Group
3rd Sunday of each month at 11:30 am
9:00 am - Family Eucharist
Rite II
Children’s Chapel
9:00-9:30 a.m.
10:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am - Holy Eucharist
Rite II
(choir and pipe organ)
Wednesday
12:00 pm
Healing & Holy Eucharist
Parish Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday:
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Clip art from ChristArt.com
Page 6
The Tower Chimes
November 2012
SUNDAY SCHOOL and JUNIOR CHOIR
The students of the Sunday School are anxious to share what they are learning with
everyone. So, on November 18th at the 9:00 a.m. service, the students and their teachers
will be part of the service. The younger classes will be singing a song that they have learned.
The older classes will be doing the readings and the Primary 3 class will be presenting The
Ten Commandments. The Junior Choir will be singing at that service as well. Please come
and support them and see what they have learned.
After the service, we will have our regular classes and will be doing special lessons on
Giving Thanks.
Classes start at 10:15 a.m. and end between 11:20 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Children who are
in church at 10:00 a.m. are invited to our special musical gathering at 10:00 a.m. in the
Parish Hall. Classes meet every Sunday except the last Sunday of each month.
St. James' Nursery Care
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old
he will not depart from it."
We still have a few openings for nursery care volunteers, especially for the 9
o'clock service. If you can find it in your heart to become a part of this ministry, please contact LaWahna Search, 294-3035, or
[email protected]. There is also a sign-up sheet on the parish bulletin
board.
The Tower Chimes
November 2012
Page 7
FIELD TRIPS
Greeter’s Schedule
Happy Thanksgiving from the greeters. As always, we look forward to
welcoming you to services each Sunday. The November scheduled is as
follows:
9 a.m.
November 4 - Michele Markey
November 11 - Tammy Matula
November 18 - Linda Nichols
November 25 - Diane Rainey
December 2 - Jan Ptak
10:15 a.m.
November 4 - Lillian Quintero
November 11 - LaWahna Search
November 18 - Pat Spencer
November 25 - Florence Stoveken
December 2 - Scott & Sharon Stark
Jackie Kessler
Watch for Fall/Winter Field Trip info! We had two
wonderful trips last year. In December we went to the
Metropolitan Museum of Art and in the Spring we went
to the Cloisters and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
If you have any special places that you would like to suggest, please do so. I am considering a combined trip to
the New York Botanical Garden and the New York Zoological Garden in the Bronx. The bus can drop Zoo fans
off at the gate and Garden fans off at that gate so that
both interests can be served in one trip. We are also considering a trip to the Museum of Natural History and the
West Side Museums (Historical Society, Museum of Art
and Design etc.) and perhaps a return trip to the Metropolitan Museum. Rockefeller Center at Christmas is another idea, which could be combined with one or more
of the museums.
We charter a comfortable bus from West Point Tours,
with bathroom on board and (sometimes) a DVD player.
We need at least 45 people to cover the bus costs, so do
consider adding this to your busy schedules. It is fun, it
is relaxing and it is very cost effective. We generally
charge around $20 for adults and $15 for children for
the bus. The museums are self pay. We do fund raising
during the year to help keep the costs down for travelers. See Marci Hanners with suggestions and to ask
questions.
The Community Dinner November 24
The Goshen Rotary will once again host their Saturday
after Thanksgiving Community Dinner, from 5:30-6:30
p.m. in St. James’ Parish Hall.
Call John Strobl at 294-9004 to find out how to help. We
open at 4:00 p.m. to get ready for the 5:30 p.m. meal. The
Dinner is always held the last Saturday of each month.
Donations are always needed for the Holiday Season
The Food Pantry depends on food & financial donations. Food drop locations
are on the table just inside the back door, and on the table just
before you enter the church - both are labeled Food Pantry
Donations. Financial donations may be mailed to The
Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry Inc. c/o John Strobl,
55 Wickham Ave, Goshen, NY 10924. Help us to help our
neighbors in need. Please donate food for this Holiday
Season and each week.
Goshen Ecumenical Pantry Inc. November 10 & 28th
The next distribution at the Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry
will be held November 10 (the 2nd Saturday of each month) from 9:30 a.m.
to 10:30 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at
33 Park Place, Goshen. Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. The Goshen Food
Pantry’s second distribution will be held Thursday, November 28, from
6:30 to 7:30pm. Help is needed; all groups (Adults, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,
and Youth Groups etc.) are welcome to give us a hand. Please arrive at the pantry around
6:00pm.
Bagging for distribution and shelf stocking
Is done at the Goshen Food Pantry, every Tuesday morning at 9:15a.m. And the last
Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. Be part of this excellent opportunity for community service
and/or “feel-good-for doing-something-good” service.
www.facebook.com/goshenfoodpantry
PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
The Tower Chimes
November 2012
Page 9
Stewardship is not new and can be traced to Christ and the
apostles. We all aspire to act like a Christian. Therefore we must aspire to
act as stewards. Christian stewards give themselves first to our Lord, Jesus
Christ. True stewardship begins with the realization that Christ does not expect something from us; He expects everything. He told the rich young man to sell everything, give it to the poor and follow Him. We begin a stewardly life by giving ourselves to Jesus Christ. Generous giving of ourselves to the service of God is not something that is to be
taken grudgingly, or something to be minimized or avoided, but rather a privilege that
should be embraced.
The sincerity of our love will be tested by the measure of our generosity. In other words, it is
easier to talk about being Christian, but hard to actually do it. Jesus reminds us that if we
want to find out what a person's heart is like, we simply have to follow the money. When we
find a person's treasure, we find a person's heart. The example for us is Christ Himself, who
became poor for us so that we might become rich.
Giving is not a question of a certain segment of the Church carrying the burden, while other
segments have no burden at all. All must give to support St. James. In fact, God supplies
everything - those that have plenty are given plenty that they might supply what is needed to
those that lack plenty. What we do with our " plenty" will be reflected in how we are viewed
by our Lord. Abundance is not given by God as a blessing for us to have luxury, but to be
generous to the needs of the Church and those less fortunate.
Each person must pray, ponder and reflect on their level of giving to God, the church and
those less fortunate. Giving must not be reluctant, for that betrays a lack of trust in God to
provide. It must not be under compulsion, for God expects us to use our free will to do the
right thing and see it as the right thing. Once we choose the good and right thing, God rejoices in our cheerful giving. It is a blessing and a gift to be able to give. It is not an obligation or a minimal fulfillment of membership of St. James. It is being a good Christian.
We have started our Stewardship Commitment Sundays slowly. We need 100% support to
meet the financial needs for 2013. I hope everyone will sign up to help at the Christmas Fair
this month. There is plenty to be done and many hands make the job easier to complete.
This is an important fund raiser for St. James and everyone should be involved. Be stewards
of your time, talent and treasure for St. James at this event.
" YOUR TALENT IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU'
" WHAT YOU DO WITH THAT TALENT IS YOUR GIFT TO GOD”
Ed Fritsche
The Tower Chimes
November 2012
Page 10
Busy Signals
Take a minute and think about the last time you heard a busy signal. Has it been a
while? Is it possible that some of you reading this have never heard a busy signal on the
other end of the phone? Remember the days before we had cell phones, call waiting, texting, etc., when we’d dial a number and hear the “beep, beep beep”? We mumble a blurb,
“It’s busy, I’ll try again later.”
In today’s high tech world, there are no busy signals, and anyone we want is just a
text message away. Emails and voice mails can overwhelm us, and we’re certainly not at a
loss for options when it comes to ways to contact each other.
Has the convenience of modern technology become overwhelming? Has the lack
of busy signals made our lives even busier? Does the “busyness” of our lives distract us
from spending time with those close to us?
Most of us are overloaded with information these days, and we do our best to respond to what we feel is the most urgent and important. However, there is no substitute
for quality face to face time with others, and quiet heart to heart time with our Lord. Jesus Himself “went away” often to pray to the Father. He needed time to refresh and prepare Himself for His journey. We all need to do the same. Setting time aside for those we
love, particularly our Lord, can make all the difference in the world in terms of recharging
our batteries to face the fast paced, demanding world we live in.
Take a few minutes to reflect on the past few weeks. We may all be surprised as we
remember all the things we would have liked to have done and the people we would have
enjoyed spending some time with. Are we flying through each day never having enough
time to stop and say hello to others? Are we letting a quick text message take the place of
a needed conversation? Has our prayer life become a quick “Jesus get me through
another day?”
A “yes” response to any of these is a sign of overload. It may be time to slow down
and regroup. How do we get out of these viscous cycles? Start with Jesus, and start now.
Take some quiet time today and spend it with Him. Jesus will help us think through
what’s really important and reset our lives in a direction that will bring us peace and help
us help others. He’s there for us whenever we start to hear life’s busy signals.
It’s a beautiful Fall, enjoy it!
Dom Perfetti
Happy Thanksgiving
Nick & Roberta
Bryan & Christine
Henry & Tanya
Harry & Kathy
Lola
Jonathan
Vanessa
Nicholas
Jeanne
James
Janice
John
Gregg
Barbara
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God Bless the newly
Baptized
Julia Sophia Sgambati
October 7, 2012
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