- St. James Episcopal Church

S T . JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
S T . J AMES P ARISH
NEWSLET TER
F EBRUARY 2013
R ECTOR ’ S R EPORT TO P ARISH ~
(Editor Note: The Parish Annual Meeting was held on January 20th at which
this report was first offered and is here repeated for Parish view. PK)
R_]tor’s R_port on 2012
Greetings Parish and Friends,
Episcopal priests are required to maintain parish records of sacraments and membership.
Every year I remind you those numbers tell our story. Last year’s shows a numerical decline, yet spiritual vivacity.
Sacraments, Worship and Formation:
We baptized eleven infants and children. In April, Assisting Bishop William Persell visited for the first time and baptized three children then performed eight confirmations/
receptions. The average Sunday attendance dipped slightly (spreadsheet below). My
“Heavenly Banquet” effort with the rows of plates and bowls of stickers had no effect on
summer attendance. Still, we had fun and the banquet itself was a delight. Four of our
members went to their eternal reward with Christ: Donald Hamilton, Mary Gilpin, Frank
Lonser and Judy Thompson. Christmas attendance popped back up to 190 from a decline
over the 4 previous years. The secularization of the Incarnation of our Lord is a big factor
in our lower numbers from 10 years ago. Easter remains steady at 217. Hooray for Resurrection!
The Sunday Christian Formation expansion has been a success. Adult attendance numbers
almost doubled with both class offerings and the energy in learning, growing and deepening your faith together. The Youth Gathering enjoys steady attendance with Travis Alexander, myself and Judith Barrie finding ways to engage the group. Paula Knapp’s exuberant class of elementary students is still our Sunday morning star. We have added a preschool class thanks to Alice Griffith. There are only two regular students, but they are having a wonderful time!
Faith Giving and Finances
Our 2012 Faith Giving was shy of budget by just $2,300. You’ll see from the Treasurer’s
Report and the Fundraising (Perch & Pierogies Plus!) Report that several outside sources
of income allowed us to end the year with a surplus. Our conscientious staff and volunteers held budget costs lower than planned as well.
The Stewardship report continues its odd trend: fewer cards turned in, yet the end of year
faith giving total was the same. As always, your generous support of the Rector’s Discretionary Fund allowed me to provide for the poor. Due to the increased and complex needs
of those requesting assistance, I now require strangers to go through social service agencies
for help. This forces people to utilize appropriate long term assistance and protects us from
fraud.
Mission and Life Together
The suffering of our Painesville neighbors and the erosion of our city’s income are an unchanged story. Significantly higher numbers of children are living in poverty – our home-
S PECIAL POINTS OF
INTEREST :
•
Worship
Schedule
available on
page 3
•
See Election
Results from
the Annual
Meeting on
Page 6
I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :
A COLYTES
4
B IRTHDAYS /
A NNIVERSARIES
5
C OFFEE H OUR
H OSTS
5
WFG
6
L UNCH P ROGRAM
7
S T . J AMES P ARISH
P AGE 2
NEWSLETTER
R ECTOR ’ S R EPORT , CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1~
less shelter, Project Hope, saw a 217% increase in child residents at their facility. Unemployment has lessened, but the
quality of employment and average salary has dipped while costs of groceries, gasoline, rent and daily needs creep higher.
Additionally, assistance for food, utilities and childhood needs (school uniforms, school transportation & childcare) declined. The feeding ministries of St. James as well as our love and welcome are vitally important to Painesville. We
change lives just by doing what we are already doing: Love God; Love our neighbors as Christ loves us.
Within the life of St. James, the joy of membership seems to bubble over in the smiles and friendships I observe. Outreach
and Fellowship events continue to be the greatest place of connection, however, the Formation opportunities also bind our
hearts together. As we prepare for a renovation of our space to respond to how use it, the intimate connections we feel as
Christian brothers and sisters will need to be front and center to invite the community to join us. The warmth and quality
of our Perch & Pierogies Plus event is a great example.
Where are we going?
We are following the Holy Spirit. As Christ was called back from the wilderness to preach the gospel to the surrounding
villages and lands, so we find our sojourn is over and call to action invigorated. For thirty years St. James has ministered
to the needy who live on the edges of society. We have devoted significant institutional and personal resources in successfully addressing hunger and loving even the most socially undesirable with dignity. God insists we continue that beautiful
mission. We need to add to that hospitality commitment programs and energy for the more mainstream people of Painesville. Our business and government neighbors need to see Christ shining for them also. Events that entice into our doors
people whose needs are primarily spiritual and emotional is the next horizon of outreach. The renovation project, partnerships with government agencies (Lake County Planning Division’s Continuum of Care for Housing Services, the Painesville Police Department) and my efforts to be the face of St. James in professional networks, such as Rotary Club and
Downtown Painesville.org, are baby steps in that direction.
Imagine how to take St. James directly to the residents of Painesville: Phelps Street pedestrian fairs with a book sale and a
concert, a fundraiser for Harvey’s music programs featuring their choir and musicians in this space, a contemplative garden
labyrinth on our lawn, healing worship services on the steps in summer or hosting community meetings for parenting classes and healthy cooking on a budget. We are heirs of the apostles and after our formation at the feet of Christ, it is time to
strap on our sandals and take Christ to the world.
With great love and faith,
The Rev. Vanessa E. B. Clark, Rector
Worship
Attendance
8:00a
m
10:30am
Total
2012 Sunday Average
25
83
108
Summer
Average
25
72
97
Jan-Jun
Average
25
90
115
July-Dec
Average
25
77
102
Christmas
190
Easter
217
2011 Average
27
82
109
2010 Average
26
86
112
Baptisms, 11:
David Hill, Lincoln Horacek, Alana Kolek, Connor Williams, Tahja
Brown, John Hovencamp, Margeaux Pogacnik, William Maxon, Lincoln Miller, Marlowe Miller, and Aiden Wrana
Funerals, 4:
Donald Hamilton, Mary Gilpin, Frank Lonser, and Judy Thompson
Weddings, 0
Confirmations/Receptions/Reaffirmation, 8
Travis Alexander, Cassandra Jackson, Arthur Lindrose, Evelyn
Lindrose, Kathryn Lindrose, Douglas Miller, Konnor Thompson and
Cooper Van Pelt
P AGE 3
U PCOMING W ORSHIP S CHEDULE
Worship Schedule February:
February 3: 8 AM Rite I & 10:30 AM Rite II
February 10:
8 AM Rite I & 10:30 AM Rite II
February 13: Ash Wednesday 12:15 PM in Chapel Rite II with Imposition of Ashes
7:00 PM in Church Rite II with Imposition of Ashes
February 17:
8 AM Rite I & 10:30 AM Rite II – Lent
February 24:
8 AM Morning Prayer Rite I & 10:30 AM Morning Prayer Rite II
(We need a little Anglican worship practice, I hear!)
Save the Date
March 10: 7 PM Lenten Evensong with readings & hymns for St. Patrick of Ireland
SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
I would like to remind everyone to keep the outside doors locked unless there is someone actively watching the door. Public events such as Worship, Lunch Program meals
or community-focused events are the only time non-staff should unlock the doors. If
you expect attendees to be late or wander in unpredictably, be sure a member of your
group is paying attention to the door, but do not unlock it. Also, we expect any group
to turn out all lights and check the doors they used to be sure they are locked. After
public events, all unlocked interior spaces, including the Chapel, need to be scanned
for persons remaining inside. Thank you, Mother Vanessa +
S T . J AMES P ARISH
P AGE 4
NEWSLETTER
Acolyte News
As we work our way into the year 2013, I’d like to take a moment to once again
say THANK YOU to all of those in our Acolyte Family, for their continued dedication to making not only Sunday mornings at St James a special place to be, but the
additional days & nights that their talents are so often needed. Thank you to our
adult acolytes for providing the leadership & guiding hands that are so often
needed, & thank you to the youth of St James who listen & learn so willingly. It is a great pleasure to be a part of this group, as they continue to help St James experience & achieve spiritual
fulfillment.
I would also like to point out some individual achievements that I had the pleasure of acknowledging on January 13th. The following acolytes have accumulated the necessary points to reach
new heights on our ladder of ribbons, & have earned the privilege of having a new color adorn the
cross they wear when serving:
800 pts. & a red ribbon Vivianne Clark, Erin Knapp, Lauren Webster
1500 pts. & a purple ribbon Evelyn Lindrose
2000 pts. & a white ribbon Cassidy Morgan, Nathan Webster
3000 pts. & a gold ribbon - Brandon Berry, Darrell Knapp, Savanna Van Pelt
Congratulations to these most deserving acolytes! I’m looking forward to more of these moments
as all of our acolytes continue to share their time & talents with us.
Peacefully,
Bill Thompson
Education for Ministry or EfM will be accepting new students
this summer. It is an intense and rewarding adult Christian Formation course of study with theological formation for everyday
life. Please contact Mark Clark for more information: Mark
Clark, [email protected] or check the directory.
Christian Formation
We continue our weekly schedule at 9:30 AM on Sundays.
We offer two adult formation opportunities, Sunday school
classes for people in preschool, elementary grades and
middle/high school. The Wednesday Lunch Group, who
meet after the 12:15 Wednesday Eucharist, is trying out a
bible study of the Gospel of Mark using Focus on Mark by
The Rev. Robert Schwenk from Morehouse Publishers.
Please drop in to any of these formation sessions.
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P AGE 5
B IRTHDAYS AND A NNIVERSARIES IN F EBRUARY
February Birthdays
2/03 Jerry Hemphill
February Wedding Anniversary
2/03 Herb Hubbel
02/23 Mark & Vanessa Clark
2/04 Maurice Jones
2/05 Bill Thompson
2/13
Evelyn Werbeach
2/07 Jim Morton
2/16
Jan Bythway
2/07 Sally Hewis
2/20
Dave Webster
2/08 Alice Carter
2/21
Eve Strong
2/09 Eric Sylor
2/21
Fr. Kip Colegrove
2/12 Rose Lonser
2/21
Carl Erickson
2/22 Samantha Jackson
President’s DayFebruary 18
2/23 Joe Torre
2/23 Barbara Denner
2/26 Stephanie Morgan
Coffee Hour Hosts for February
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
February 3
Dave & Julie Siegel
Art & Kathy Lindrose
February 10
Dave Webster & Ann Johnson
Pay Norman & Rose Lonser
February 17
Jim & Doris Oberg
Alice Griffith & Laura Recek
February 24
Bob & Ruth Ann Beckwith
Tom & Libby Hill
S T . J AMES P ARISH
P AGE 6
NEWSLETTER
Congratulations!!
At the Annual Meeting, held on January 20th, the following parishioners were elected:
Vestry
Scott Hewis
Foundation Delegate
Judith Barrie
Bobbie Nolan
Nancy Walsh
Diocesan Convention Delegates:
Darrell Knapp
Scott Hewis
Josh Horacek
Alternates:
Nancy Walsh, Susan Cowling and Bill Dobda
Women's Fellowship Guild
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. After taking a winter break for the month of January, we are ready to begin 2013 with a
meeting on Sunday, February 10, 2013. Please join us after the 10:30
Eucharist in the Guild Room for a "brain-storming" meeting. Come with
your ideas, suggestions, wish list for what we hope will be an interesting
and enthusiastic year of meetings and activities.
Looking forward to seeing you on the 10th.
Any questions, please contact Alice Griffith or Patty Norman
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love
dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
P AGE 7
LUNCH
PROGRAM
LUNCH PROGRAM REPORT
Suggested Pantry Donations for February
February 3
Paper napkins
February 10
Sugar
February 17
Dish soap
February 24 Canned pineapple
Volunteers are DESPERATELY NEEDED to help
on the St. James team the third Sunday of
most months. Next scheduled services:
February 17, March 24
On December 11, 2012, the Lunch Program completed its twenty-ninth year of operation. We have many volunteers from area churches involved in our program. Participating churches that lead a team include St. James Episcopal Church; St. Mary’s Catholic
Church, Painesville; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Willoughby; First Church
Congregational; St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church; St. John Vianney Catholic Church;
Painesville United Methodist Church; Church of the Brethren; St. Nicholas Orthodox
Church; First Church of Christ; St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, St. Bede’s Catholic Church
and secular groups: Hungry Hearts and Civil Air Patrol and the 4th Sunday group. These
teams also include many volunteers from other churches and organizations. In July we
became an agency of the Cleveland Foodbank which enables us to obtain a greater variety
of foods including fresh dairy and produce. Cost savings compared to prices at GFS for
the six months we used the Foodbank were $2,694.01.
Financial report follows:
Operating Activity
Donations:
Area churches
2,525.00
Fund Balances (as of 12/31/11)
Diocese of Ohio
5,921.17
Operating Checking Account
$13,941.68
Fr Terry Russell Memorial Fund
4,268.48
Jr. Women’s Club Mentor2,000.00
Corporate donations
1200.00
Individuals
2,956.32
Organizations
1,855.00
St. James Outreach
Total Donations
500.00
$16,957.49
Total
$18,210.16
St. James Lunch Program Leadership:
Nancy Walsh, Director
Derick & Irene Riley, Supply Chain
Phyllis Cooper, Treasurer
Expenditures
Liz Tinck, St. James team leader
Food
10,250.19
Paper
3,079.20
Miscellaneous
Pest Control
Equipment
Delivery
Utilities
Postage
TOTAL Expenditures
45.00
421.39
177.93
2,000.00
70.06
$16,043.77
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Walsh
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Painesville, OH
Permit No. 413
Current Occupant Or
St. James Episcopal Church
131 North State St.
Painesville, OH
44077
440-354-3526
E-Mail: office
www.stjamesoh.org