Date: March 5th 2010

In This Issue:

1. This Sunday’s Lessons
2. Rector’s Message
3. Outreach opportunity
4. Announcements
5. Calendar
6. Birthdays & Anniversaries
7. Servants in Worship
8. Prayer List
9. Church Staff

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This Sunday’s Lessons: March 7, 2010 – The Third Sunday in Lent

Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9

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RECTOR’S MESSAGE

THE WORLD IS NOT SOMEWHERE ELSE

March 5, 2010

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is hard to watch the news and not be thankful that we live in a stable country, with a stable government, with decades of peaceful transitions in leadership, with an economy that does not relegate most of us to living on mere pennies a day.

It is hard to watch the news and not be thankful that we live in a country that has an infrastructure that provides the necessities of life to the vast majority of the people who live here, that provides for freedom to move around the country at will and to follow whatever path we might choose to follow in our lives.

It is hard to watch the news and not want to reach out to those in other countries who are in dire need, who are in grave danger, who are suffering in ways that most of us will never suffer. It is hard to watch the news and not want to make things better in those places in the world in which things are the worst.

As a church, as a diocese and as a parish we are good about reaching out far beyond the government drawn borders of this world and giving aid as we can to those in places that are far off, places most of us will never see. I am immensely grateful to be part of such a church, a diocese and a parish.

Yet sometimes I fear that we take care of others in the most dire circumstances imaginable but forget those who live only a few miles, block or yards away from us. While not victims of earthquakes, nor tsunamis, nor any other natural disasters, there are those amongst whom we live and work who are in grave danger, in unimaginable pain, and are helpless to help themselves.

I am thinking specifically about the children in our city and county.

The insidious thing about the suffering of children is that it steals from them the most important years of their lives, the formative years, the years in which they are most able to learn, to develop and to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually. Children who suffer are robbed of the opportunity to take advantage of the education that is offered to them. Children who suffer do not have the same ability to sit in a safe, quiet place to do their homework, to have their homework checked by someone who understands the importance of education. Children who suffer and are not cared for, except for very rare occasions, become the parents of children who suffer.

On Friday, March 19, I strongly encourage you to come to the annual St. Joseph Society Spaghetti Dinner at 6:00 PM in the Parish Life Center. At that event, you will hear about an opportunity the people of St. James have to become involved in the Frazee Center – a not-for-profit agency that is dedicated to ensuring that the children in one part of our city have a chance to learn and to grow and to flourish. You will hear about the opportunities we will have to be involved both financially and, more importantly, personally in the Frazee Center.

When I find myself beginning to despair that the suffering of the world is so great there is little I can do, I remind myself that true change in the world comes in gatherings of just a few people trying to make their corner of the vast planet a little bit better.

The Frazee Center is not a whole country; it does not serve the whole county or city, but just a few neighborhoods. But if the life of one child is enriched, if the life of one child is made better, if one child is given hope and a chance to grow, then the world will become a better place, the world will change.

To be a disciple of the Risen Christ means to live into the teachings of our Lord and Savior who said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Geoff +

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Outreach Opportunities:

Spare Change for 30-hour Famine Project:
This Sunday, March 7, is the last day the youth of St James will be collecting spare change to be given to World Vision for a service project entitled 30-Hour Famine. The youth are fasting and raising funds to help feed children in other countries. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Please give at the table in the hallway.

Famine Weekend: Many Thanks to the youth and adults that are giving their time, talents and tummies this weekend to the fundraising for World Vision by participating in the Famine: Megan Taylor, Phillip Reed, RJ Jerina, Stevie Keese, Betsy Bauer, Melanie Glover, Melissa Glover, Jack Hipp, Sam Hipp, Vivian Tompkins, Zoe Walsh, Mary Frances Zeager
Chaperones: John Walsh, Tempest Brevard

If you would like to join the youth in breaking the fast for the Famine, please bring something to share to the Parish Life Center on Saturday, March 6, by 6:00 PM . We would love to have your support!

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Announcements

Parish Lenten Quiet Day: Saturday, March 20 from 9 AM-4:30 PM.
Well-known author and Episcopal priest Barbara Crafton will visit St. James to provide food for thought on the topic of ‘A Spirituality of Joy and Sorrow.’ The registration cost of $75 goes towards The Rev’d Crafton’s expenses, and includes breakfast and lunch. In addition, attendees will receive a free copy of one of her books. Registration forms are on the table in the hallway and at http://saintjamescenter.org. This special day for reflection and prayer is presented by the Saint James Center for Spiritual Development. (Please contact Janet Atkins via the website if you require scholarship assistance in order to attend.)

Confirmation:
Bishop Donald Hulstrand will be with us on Sunday, April 18 for our annual Episcopal Visitation. If you are an adult who has not yet been confirmed, please contact the office and we will schedule an adult confirmation class. If you have been confirmed or made an adult confession of faith in another tradition, you will be received into the Episcopal Church by the Bishop.

St. Joseph’s Day Parishwide Spaghetti Dinner, March 19, 6:00 PM.
The Men’s Group invites everyone to a free spaghetti dinner in the Parish Life Center. Our two guest speakers, Matt Reeves of the Frazee Center and David Griffin from Camp Bob at Kanuga, will share with the parish a way for us to help with these children’s ministries. Please sign up in the hallway.

Spring Ingathering for the United Thank Offering: Sunday March 21.
United Thank Offering supports programs that address compelling human needs, both domestically and internationally. In 2009, 63 grants were funded with the ingathering of $2,065,472. Please use the blue envelopes found in the pews or the “little blue boxes.” Thank you for remembering those less fortunate than we are, for the list is long.

The Annual ECW Attic Sale will take place on Saturday, June 5.
Please save what you no longer use or need for this event. What you no longer need, someone else surely does. Storage will be available again this year beginning April 1. We will need many helping hands. For more information about this event, please contact Gail Tomkins (246-1356, ptomkins@charter.net).

Parish Weekend - May 28-30 at Kanuga Conference Center. Everyone is invited to spend a fun-filled weekend in the mountains with others from the parish. Let Kanuga do the cooking while you participate in activities such as hiking, fishing, tennis and more, or relax in one of the many patio rocking chairs. For rates or to register, contact Ken Littlejohn (467-9580, alkenlj@charter.net).


Schedule for Wednesdays in Lent: March 10, 17, 24

5:45 PM Soup and Cornbread will be served in the Parish Life Center before the service.

6:30 PM Celtic Evening Eucharist

7:15 PM Lenten Program – “Undiscovered Country: Imagining the World to Come” by Peter S. Hawkins (see description below)

7:45 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal

Note to Parents:
Childcare is available during the Celtic Evening Eucharist and the Lenten Program. If you are interested, please sign up on the sheet on the table in the main hallway.

2010 Lenten Program:
Our Wednesday Evening Lenten Program will be a study of Peter S. Hawkins’ “Undiscovered Country: Imagining the World to Come.” Compiled from his Lyman Beecher Lectures at Yale University, Hawkins’ book seeks to explore the answer to the question, “What comes next?” A Dante scholar and professor of Religion and Literature at Yale University, Hawkins’ book is in three chapters: Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. Yet he draws on many other literary sources throughout history to help us explore this undiscovered world. Please purchase “Undiscovered Country” through your favorite bookstore or online service. Then join us in the Commons Room for a discussion of this wonderful book during the Wednesdays of Lent immediately following the Celtic Evening Eucharist.

Centering Prayer continues meeting each Friday at 1 PM
During Lent we are adding readings from the book ‘Small Surrenders: A Lenten Journey’ by Emilie Griffin to our listening and dialogue time. Quiet prayer begins at 1:30; if your time is short, you may join the session at that time to participate in just the prayer time. Karen Eshelman, facilitator

2010 Altar Flower & Sanctuary Lamp Calendars:
Please sign up on the calendars posted on the wall above the signup table in the hallway if you would like to provide flowers for the altar ($50) or the candle for the sanctuary lamp ($10) during 2010. You will be contacted near the date regarding wording for the bulletin. Two individuals or families may agree to share a single week for either.

St. James Day School:
Registration for the 2010-2011 school year is going on now. We offer classes for children ages 12 months to 4 years. Sessions are held 2, 3 and 4 days per week according to the child’s age. Cost is $130/mo. for 2 days, $160/mo. for 3 days and $200/mo. for 4 days. Church members receive a 10% discount. For more information, please contact Beth Renninger (232-4877, bethrenninger@charter.net) or stop by the church office for a registration form.

eNotes & bulletin announcements
The deadline for submitting announcements is generally noon on the Wednesday prior to publication. Please send announcements by e-mail to admin@stjamesgreenville.org .

Subscribe To Diocesan News (printed and electronic): http://www.edusc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=42

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Opportunities for Worship, Fellowship and Service: Week of March 7, 2010

Sunday, March 7 – The Third Sunday in Lent
7:45 AM Holy Eucharist – Rite I
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist; nursery available; Children’s Church (K5 - grade 3)
10:10 AM Sunday School classes for all ages
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist – Rite II; nursery available; Children’s Church (K5 - grade 3)
12:15 PM Youth Confirmation Class, library
4:00 PM Basketball Awards Presentation, Parish Life Center

Monday, March 8
7:00 PM Finance Committee, conference room

Tuesday, March 9
10:00 AM Staff Meeting, library
3:15 PM Music Explorers’ Club (boys and girls ages 4-8), choir room

Wednesday, March 10
4:00 PM Ascension Girls Choir (grades 6 and up), choir room
5:45 PM Soup and Cornbread will be served in the Parish Life Center. Please let us know you are planning to eat by signing the sheet on the table in the hallway.
6:30 PM Celtic Evening Eucharist
7:15 PM Lenten Program, Commons Room (Parish Life Center)
Note to Parents: Childcare is available during the Celtic Evening Eucharist and the Lenten Program. If you are interested, please sign up on the sheet on the table in the main hallway.
7:45 PM Adult Choir rehearsal, choir room. For more information or to join, contact Karen Eshelman (244-6358 ext. 304 or karen@stjamesgreenville.org).

Thursday, March 11
10:45 AM Bible Study, library
12:05 PM Holy Eucharist and Healing Service

Friday, March 12
1:00 PM Centering Prayer, nave – During Lent we are adding readings from the book ‘Small Surrenders: A Lenten Journey’ by Emilie Griffin to our listening and dialogue time. Quiet prayer begins at 1:30; if your time is short, you may join the session at that time to participate in just the prayer time. (Karen Eshelman, facilitator)

Friday-Saturday, March 12-13: Vestry Retreat at Kanuga Conference Center

Saturday, March 13
9:00 AM Altar Guild – worship service preparations

Daylight Saving Time begins – Remember to “spring forward” one hour before retiring on Saturday.

Sunday, March 14 – The Fourth Sunday in Lent
7:45 AM Holy Eucharist – Rite I
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist; nursery available; Children’s Church (K5 - grade 3)
10:10 AM Sunday School classes for all ages
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist – Rite II; nursery available; Children’s Church (K5 - grade 3)
12:30 PM Meet and Greet The Rev’d Roxanne Ruggles, Parish Life Center


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THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS:

March 8 Bill Smith, Sr.
March 9 Joseph Long
March 9 Peter Tillman
March 10 Patrick Holliday
March 11 Helene Riley
March 12 Claire Atkins
March 12 Kathryn Holland
March 13 John Stepp
March 13 John Carlisle

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SERVANTS IN WORSHIP

**Please note: If you cannot serve when scheduled, please find a substitute.

Finding Subs – There are two ways to find a sub:
1. Select “reply all” to the ministry distribution list which was sent to you and everyone else who serves in your particular ministry. You should hear back soon from someone who would be happy to switch with you.
OR
2. Follow this link http://www.ministryschedulerpro.com?user=stjamesgreenville and login using the username and password which were sent to you by e-mail. Everyone, please check the site often to see if there are requests you can help to fill.

To sign up for a ministry or if you have questions about scheduling (including username and password information), please contact Susan Preusse at servants@stjamesgreenville.org .

SERVANTS IN WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 7

Altar Guild: Shirley Landes (Flowers & Captain), Judy Armandroff, Sarah Britt, Rosemarie Cothran, Pat Day, Marcy Freeman, Dianne Posey.

7:45 - Rector’s Aide/Usher: Mel Pfister; Usher: Vince LeDonne; Greeter: Jodye Pfister; Lector: Gigi Blackwell; Eucharistic Ministers: Carmie Cook, Gigi Blackwell.

9:00 - Rector’s Aide/Usher: George Lafaye; Ushers: John Hardaway, Bill Mathews; Greeter: Judy Nicholson; Lectors: Margaret Oakes (L), Linda Dzuris (P); Eucharistic Ministers: Tempest Brevard, Martin Darby; Acolytes: Campbell Plumblee (C), Virginia Britt (T), Mikey Urueta (T).

Coffee Hour: Elisabeth Allen.

11:00 - Rector’s Aide/Usher: Tommy King; Ushers: Shaun Arness, Chip Preusse; Greeters: Karen Parr, Jeanie Reed; Lectors: Shelly Matthews (L), Claudia McCreesh (L), Rick Veazey (P); Eucharistic Ministers: Susan Preusse, Janet Atkins; Acolytes: Jack Pinckney (C), Alice Matthews (T), Zoe Walsh (T).

Nursery: 8:45AM – Cherie Keese, Sherry Sponseller (infants/toddlers), Julia Britt, Robin Pearson (3-4 yr olds). 10:00 Sunday School: Jay Baker, Robin Pearson; 10:45: Carrie & Aaron Bryant (infants/toddlers), Robin Pearson, George Lipscomb (3-4 yr olds). Nursery Contact: Becky Goepper (346-9885).

SERVANTS IN WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2010
Altar Guild: Jean Bridger (Flowers), Sue DuBose (Captain), Alice Crowe, Mary Anne Lanford, Jodye Pfister, Marjorie Davenport.

7:45 - Rector’s Aide/Usher: Butch Scott; Usher: Vince LeDonne; Greeter: Nancy LeDonne; Lector: Victoria Chance; Eucharistic Ministers: Carmie Cook, Royce Ann Woody.

9:00 - Rector’s Aide/Usher: Ron Jerina; Ushers: Al Engelmann, Bo Pinkley; Greeter: Elizabeth Bauer; Lectors: Ed Snape (L), Katie Allen (P); Eucharistic Ministers: Julie Clark, Mike Marcus; Acolytes: Julie Clark (C), James Allen (T), Betsy Bauer (T).

Coffee Hour: Gail Tomkins.

11:00 - Rector’s Aide/Usher: Brooks Knobel; Ushers: Ed Frierson, Bill Violette; Greeters: Rosemarie Cothran, Lynn Vines; Lectors: Elisabeth Allen (L), Lynn Vines (L), Brooks Knobel (P); Eucharistic Ministers: Barbara Hackett, Louise Fore; Acolytes: Megan Taylor (C), Robbie Allen (T), Burke Lipscomb (T).

Nursery: 8:45AM – [Sub requested], Pam Snape (infants/toddlers), Susan Bishop, Stacy Pirrone (3-4 yr olds). 10:00 Sunday School: Becky & Scott Goepper; 10:45: March Freeman (infants/toddlers) [Sub requested], Diane Genova, George Lipscomb (3-4 yr olds). Nursery Contact: Becky Goepper (346-9885).


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Remember In Your Prayers

> those who are sick, confined indoors, and others dear to us:
Margaret, Kelley Ahlgren, Mara Zetta Anderson, Martin Anderson, Maria Arquetto, *Mike Battistini, John & Gwen Brennen, Rosemarie Brevard, Johnny Ray Bryant, Freddie Cetti, Johnny Coleman, Christopher Eudy, *Daphne Felber, John Gossett, *Nancy Harlan, *Mike Hatcher, *Sue Havens, Marilyn Kinder, *Dianne Latham, Holland Lawson, Fletch Leslie, Holly Miller, Pam Moore, Trish Penick, *Peggy Pielou, Ellen Rogers, Glen Wampole, Ginga Wilder.

Mike’s address - Mike Hatcher, St. James’ sexton for over three years, has cancer. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. His address is 107 Tarpon Ct., Fountain Inn, SC 29644.

> service men & women:
Jessica & Steven Ballue, Maurice Brown, Ray Brown, Craig Cantrell, Dustin Cantrell, Mark Dietz, Billy Eckstein, Mark Giblin, Chris Goepper, Landon Russell Hayes, *Woody Hayes, Byron Lee Kemp, David Mathews, Jesse Moon, John Nelson, Matt Patterson, Dave Ridley.

> expectant parents: *Jay and Lesley Baker, *David Bernardy & Joni Tevis, *Caroline & John Swanger

* denotes member of the St. James community

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St. James Episcopal Church staff

The Rev’d D. Geoffrey Taylor, Rector, rector@stjamesgreenville.org
The Rev’d Deacon Carolee S. Quinn, Deacon Associate, lee@stjamesgreenville.org
Ms. Tempest A. Brevard, Youth & Children’s Minister, tempest@stjamesgreenville.org
Dr. Karen A. Eshelman, Music Director and Organist, karen@stjamesgreenville.org
Mrs. Dena Veazey, Parish Administrator, admin@stjamesgreenville.org
Ms. Carol Clark, Office Assistant, office@stjamesgreenville.org