April, 2014 NEWSLETTER St. James Episcopal Church, Amesbury

IN THIS ISSUE

Blessing of the Parish Profile

Polishing of Silver

Calling all Crafters

Easter Flower Donations

Lenten Events

Teen Easter Baskets

Holy Week Schedule

Morning Prayer

Candidates for Bishop Videos

Youth

Leadership Fundraisers

YLA Fundraiser

Women of Faith

Our Neighbors' Table

The Blessing of the

St. James Parish Profile

On Palm Sunday, April 13th, we will bless the St.

James Church Parish Profile, lovingly and prayerfully

created by the parish Search Committee under the

leadership of co-chairs Cindy Janik and Jenn

Sanborn. This is a primary document for clergy

candidates considering a position at St. James.

Copies of the profile will be available.

The Search Process--As We Go Forward A Coffee Hour Forum

Also on Palm Sunday, at coffee hour, the Search

Committee will explain the process of receiving the

names of clergy who are interested in St. James.

They will also outline their expected timeline for

receiving names, for the interview process and the

arrival of your new clergy leadership.

St. James' Senior Warden, Joan Miller, will share her

gratitude and perspective on the critically important

work done by the Search Committee in developing

the Parish Profile. She will also detail the plans for

clergy leadership as the parish transitions from

interim ministry to the calling of a long term clergy

person.

Your Interim, Rev. Dee will, with sincere gratitude,

share with you her experience of the past year +

with you and her thoughts about the opportunities

and challenges that lie ahead.

We expect that there will be responses and

questions for the Search Committee, the Warden

and the Interim, both at the Forum and over time.

So we are scheduling a second coffee hour

conversation for May 4th. If you have questions

unanswered on the 13th or that arise over time,

please ask. It would be good also to e-mail

questions to us so that they can be answered clearly

at the May 4th gathering and in other ways as

appropriate. Our e-mail address

is stjames.clergy@verizon.net.

Yours in service and prayer,

Cindy, Jenn, Joan and Dee

Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine

Sunday, April 6th

You are invited to join the Altar Guild for a

Group Polishing Event after Service

Details will be shared during our Announcements!

Calling all Crafters!

Please join us for Craft Night on

Tuesday, April 8th

from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

in the Parish Hall.

These gatherings are "come as you are" events - no talent

necessary, no need to bring supplies, drop in when you can

and leave when you need to. Bring your dinner and eat with

us! We chat, laugh and work together on a variety of craft

items which will be sold at the annual Church Fair. If you

have a craft, bring it if you wish. Everyone is invited, so

bring a friend (or two) with you if you can.

Questions? Comments? Can't make it that night, but want to

make sure you don't miss out on future Craft Nights? Please

contact Fair Committee Co-Chairs Dawn Schmidt (Dawn

Schmidt) and Liz Iacobucci ( Liz Iacobucci).

Please also fill out our "Doodle poll" about what days/times

you can join us for future Craft Nights.

Click here for the "Doodle Poll"

EASTER FLOWER DONATIONS

If you would like to make a donation towards Easter Altar Flowers "in Memory of" or "in Thanksgiving for", donations forms and envelopes are available in the back

of the Sanctuary.

Completed forms must be received in the Office no later than April 14th in order to be noted in our Easter Service Bulletin.

Lower Merrimack Valley Deanery

Lenten Events

The Merrimack Valley Deanery, along with the Lower Merrimack Valley Collaborative Parishs: North Andover, Groveland, Haverhill, Amesbury, West Newbury and Newburyport, and HUB mission ministries offered unique events during our Lenten Season and the follow events

continue through to April 19th.

Fridays In Lent at Trinity Church in Haverhill A Program Of Art - Meditation - Music

April 4 and 11 from 5pm to 8pm On these two Fridays, A Program of Art - Meditation, Music and Traveling Tabernacles, with artist Rev. Gay Cox, will have on display a massive visual arts presentation (539 pieces) entitled "Way of Salvation" which will be open to the public from 5 PM to 8 PM. The exhibit is "hands-on," participatory event for all ages. Along with the

art, there will be a different classical concert each week at 6:30 and

light refreshments will be served. The web site below features Rev. Cox's artwork.

Sunday, April 6th 5:30pm - 7:00pm Trinity Church in Haverhill

Create Your Own Resurrection Face - Feed Your Heart With Art, Your Body With Food And Your Soul With Worship

Gay Cox, the artist who created "Way of Salvation," will lead workshops which will allow all ages to consider her presentation and create their own celebrations and memorials of loved ones. A simple

supper will be served and these evenings will conclude with a Taize Worship Service. Join Rev. Dee, Kim Potts and your pre-confirmation students who hope to attend on March 23. A Note from Rev. Dee: I have joined in this Worship Service. It is deeply peaceful and centering (also the soup is great). The art display is spectacular and the resurrection faces are brilliant. I encourage your participation, you will be glad you did.

Easter Eve

The Easter Vigil at Trinity Church in Haverhill Saturday - April 19th - 7pm to 8:30pm

Children's Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday 6pm Have you ever been to a Vigil that was FUN? This one is! Also, a Children's Easter Egg Hunt and light refreshments will begin at 6pm. Shared transportation options are still being considered. Once known, further information will be announced in our weekly Parish Announcements and on our website at www.stjamesamesbury.org. The liturgy presents the Saving Works of God in a series of dramatic skits and music. This will especially appeal to youth and all will have a chance to participate. We have had FUN working on this as a collaborative team! We already have participation. Kim Potts will be a narrator! ALL are welcome!

Teen (Boys & Girls) Easter Baskets

Last year, our youth were able to make up over 12 Teen Easter

Baskets for Our Neighbor's Table to distribution to those in need.

Once again, our youth will be collecting items for "Teen Easter Baskets" to be sent over to Our Neighbor's Table for handing out

before Easter.

Ideas for items to donate are: Gift cards to Subway, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Andyman, Cherry Bomb and Walmart. Nut free candy (in individual packages), small snacks, gum, breath mints, nail polish,

lip balm, hair accessories, small hair brushes, combs, mirrors, footballs, baseballs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, little bath soaps,

shampoos, hair spray, body sprays, lotions, hand sanitizer, trendy notebooks, pens and pencils. Travel sized items are great basket

stuffers. Think "Dollar Store" to shop!

Please make your donations by Sunday, April 6th. There is a box set

up in the Narthex for you to drop off the items. Many blessings.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday, April 13th 9:00am: Procession of the Palms from the Millyard. An Amesbury Council of

Churches Event

10:00am: Holy Eucharist with the blessing of the palms and the dramatic reading of the Passion Narrative at St. James.

Monday in Holy Week, April 14th 5:00pm in the Chancel at St. James

The Stations of the Cross will be read.

Tuesday in Holy Week, April 15th 8:00am in the Chancel at St. James

The Stations of the Cross will be read.

Maundy Thursday, April 17th 7:00pm: Holy Eucharist with the Foot Washing Ceremony. The altar will then be

stripped as we prepare for the Night Watch Vigil.

8:00pm - 9:00am: Night Watch Vigil in the Chapel. If you would like to partake in Night Watch, please contact the office and let us know the time. You may

contact us atstjames.clergy@verizon.net.

Good Friday, April 18th 12:00pm to 3:00pm: The sanctuary will be open from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.

There will be reflections and readings offered on the half-hour from 12 noon until 2:30pm.

7:00pm: The Prayer Book liturgy for Good Friday will be read.

Easter Eve, April 19th

At Trinity Church in Haverhill

7:00pm to 8:30pm Children's Easter Egg Hunt

6:00pm

Experience a contemporary version of the Great Vigil of Easter told in song and story. The event is youth friendly and there will be a Children's Easter Egg Hunt

starting at 6pm. This is an early evening liturgy.

Shared transportation options are still being considered. Details to follow. Please check our website at

St. James Amesbury for updated information.

The Sunday of the Resurrection EASTER DAY

6:00am: Sunrise Service, Alliance Park, Amesbury. This is an Amesbury

Council of Churches Event.

10:00am: Festival Eucharist as we celebrate the Sunday of the Resurrection at St. James.

Morning Prayer

On Sunday, April 27th at both 8am

and 10am, Morning Prayer will be

read.

Introducing the Candidates for Bishop of Massachusetts

While visiting the diocesan offices on March 14, 2014, the seven candidates for bishop took the opportunity to sit down with the communications office and introduce themselves on

video.

The candidates for election as Bishop of Massachusetts are:

* The Rev. Holly Antolini * The Rev. Timothy E. Crellin

* The Rev. Ronald Culmer * The Rev. Alan Gates

* The Rev. Ledlie Laughlin * The Rev. Canon Mally Lloyd

* The Rev. Sam Rodman

Check out the video here: Candidate Video

Youth Leadership Academy Fundraiser

Thank you all who participated in the Youth Leadership Fundraiser at

Flatbread in March.

Over $600.00 was raised and will be used to help offset the costs for the Mission Trip.

Your support is much appreciated.

Bottle & Can Drive Fundraiser for the

St. James Youth Leadership Academy

Participants

Help out the St. James Youth Leadership Academy participants raise

funds for their mission trip to El Salvador by donating your REDEEMABLE bottles and cans.

To donate, simply drop them off at the collection box in the Parish Hall or give them to Dan Bennett, Jilleen Collins or Mariana Sanborn. We

are funding this fundraiser until June, so please bring in your returnable bottles and cans every week!

What to donate

Five cent redeemable cans Five cent redeemable bottles

(no crushed cans please)

What not to donate Non-redeemable bottles

Non-redeemable cans Water bottles.

Thank You For Your Support!

The Women of Faith will resume in the Fall of 2014. Joan Augusta will lead the group and is considering a new format. Possibility of reading

the book: Paul - A Man of Grace and Grit, by Charles R. Swindoll. Meetings may be held on Wednesday evenings. More details to

follow. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 978-

388-0030.

April Food Donations

During the month of April, ONT asked for donations of Pasta, Pasta Sauce

and/or Romano Cheese!

Also, personal items such as deodorant, mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc., are always in need.

Click here to view ONT's website.

Let us give thanks for God's many blessings to us.

QUICK

Blessings and Peace to All!

LINKS

St. James Website!

Episcopal Diocese of

Massachusetts

Send us an E-mail

The Rev. Deborah Woodward