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Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 1
November 2014
The Net
St . James Episcopal Church
St. James’ Mission Statement
St. James is called to serve God, Christ, and the community of Greater New London.
Adopted by the Vestry May 2001
From the Rector’s Desk
There is an old saying, “A preacher only has one sermon, and it is just preached over and
over again.” And, while the saying is a bit inaccurate, I believe there is also a great deal of
truth to it. As I began thinking about this month’s article for The NET, I immediately thought
about “community,” and its importance in our Parish life. Immediately I thought how often
that topic seems to come up in my monthly articles. So, while I’ll apologize for yet another
article about “community,” it seems such an important part of both Jesus’ message, how
he lived his earthly life, and how he calls us to live our lives—within community.
So why, at this time, might community seem so prominent in my mind? Certainly a rational
question. Maybe it is because as we enter November, thoughts frequently turn to
Thanksgiving Day and the celebration so common to American families. When I was a
child, it was one of the three “big” family days (as you might expect, the other two were
Christmas and Easter); a time when my extended family actually looked forward to getting
together, enjoying each other’s company, playing with cousins seen
only occasionally, eating (more than enough) good food, and just
being with each other.
As I’ve gotten older, Thanksgiving has become my dedicated
“retreat time,” when I head off to Holy Cross Monastery for a few
days down time, some serious time to reflect before beginning the
Advent/Christmas and Epiphany seasons, and to center myself for
the increased work responsibilities of the upcoming holidays. There,
a group of Holy Cross Associates that I usually only see at
Thanksgiving are gathered together! And it becomes more than a
retreat; it is the gathering of community formed around our love of
Jesus, our service to God, and a common relationship to the Order
of the Holy Cross.
Also, while we are a pretty self-contained Parish located in
southeastern Connecticut, here in the New England heart of
Some “news” 3
Birthdays 4
Thanks 5
Outreach 7-9
Music 10-11
Inreach 13
Financial information 14-15
Inside this issue:
Page 2 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
The Net …
is the newsletter of St.
James’ Church, New
London, Connecticut.
It is published eleven
times a year
(September through
June and a Summer
issue) for the
information and
edification of St.
James’ members and
friends.
Submissions are always
welcome and should
be submitted by the
tenth of the month
before publication.
While your submission is
always welcome, we
would prefer to receive
it by e-mail, or memory
stick in Microsoft Word
format (Word 98 or
later).
Please continue to
forward your
submissions to the
Church Office or email
them to: [email protected]
We also welcome your
comments and
suggestions. This is your
newsletter.
76 Federal Street
New London CT 06320-6601
860.443.4989
www.stjamesnl.org
Congregationalism, each Sunday, during our Prayers of the
People, we pray for our local and extended communities.
We pray for the Archbishop of Canterbury, titular head of
the Anglican Communion (of which the Episcopal Church
is a part), and for representative dioceses and churches
within the Communion. We pray for the Presiding Bishop of
The Episcopal Church. We pray for our Diocese, our
Bishops, along with parishes, worshipping communities, and
ministries within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (the
Diocese of Connecticut). Each week, we also pray for
ourselves, our ministries, our “Parish family members” and
their needs, a clear recognition of our communal life—and
our participation within a community of communities. As
we offer our prayers, we pray for Christ’s global church, all
the way down to this individual church, its members,
friends, and family. We offer prayers for our community
efforts at mission (e.g., The Lord’s Pantry, Healing Ministry,
Blood Pressure Clinic, Community Meal, The Jumble
Shoppe, Quilters, Vestry, and many more), seeking God’s
blessing and support for them.
But each week we also pray for our companion parish, St.
Margaret of Scotland in Aberdeen, Scotland, and their
Rector, Fr. Emsley Nimmo. This helps us keep our
communal relationship alive, as we seek God’s blessing
and support for them and their ministries. As we hold them
up in prayer, we hold them, at least temporarily in our
hearts and minds, and become more aware of the
connections between these distant communities.
As I prepare to “venture across the pond” later this month,
spending time with Fr. Emsley and our St. Margaret-family,
I’ll be there not only representing St. James Parish family,
but that of our Diocese and the greater Episcopal Church
in community with the Scottish Episcopal Church—part of
that extended community for which we pray. While the
relationship began in 1784 with the Consecration of Samuel
Seabury to the episcopate (before his return to
Connecticut as Bishop of the United States and
Connecticut), the relationship is one of “extended family,”
a true community of the faithful. Besides Bishop Seabury,
Rector’s Desk, cont’d
Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 3
both the Scottish Episcopal Church and The Episcopal Church share the celebration of The
Feast Day of Samuel Seabury (November 14).
This year, I will be blessed (in your name, and to honor this extended community) to be
installed as an Honorary Canon of St. Andrews Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland, on The
Feast of Samuel Seabury. I will be surrounded by many “old” and “new” friends—a friend
from seminary and her husband will be there to celebrate with me, Fr. Emsley and I’m sure
members of St. Margaret’s, Bishop (Bob) Gilles, others I met during my 2007 sabbatical, and
new “friends” joining in our celebration of two communities united as one.
In our contemporary world, we often speak of “our shrinking world,” and by focusing on the
communities we are representative of, those we have some connection to, and those
we’re in relationship because of our membership in the Anglican Communion, we can give
thanks to God for calling us out of ourselves, into the struggle of Christians in an alien world,
into community with others sharing the struggle and the journey. So … invite your family
and your friends to join you in this community of friendship, and love, and service to God!
Rector’s Desk, cont’d
Daylight Savings Time Ends:
Sunday, November 2, at 2 a.m.
Reminder: Fr. Michel will be in Scotland from November 4–18. Mother Joan Phelps will be with us on
Sunday November 9 and 16. For pastoral concerns during Fr. Michel’s absence, please
contact the Parish Office (860.443.4989).
Thanksgiving Office Hours: Wednesday, November 26—Ellen will be on vacation. The Parish office will be staffed that
morning by a volunteer and the office will close at 12:30 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28—Thanksgiving holiday—Office closed.
Regular Parish Office hours resume Monday, December 1: 9 :30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Some November “News”
Page 4 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
November Birthdays The names on this list reflect the information as recorded in the Church Database. Is your
name (or a family member’s name) missing? If so, please contact the Church Office and
1 Frances Gallagher
2 Andrew Stevenson
3 Gwen Carter
7 Ellen Adams
8 Ari Shapiro
10 Jannet Vose
11 Betsy James
13 Grace Barnum
16 Emily Maker
17 Marcos Herrera
19 Stephen Percy
19 Andrew Howell
21 Rocco Brucoli
21 Josh Hatcher-Sneed
22 Maryjane Connell
23 Ethelyn Wardwell
26 Jim Shores
27 Michel Belt
30 Edward Gallagher
Farewell dear friends …
Marjorie Hazard
Richard McKittrick
Norman McPhail
Julie Paris
(daughter of Deanna Bossdorf)
Welcome Our Newest Members
Anaya J. Collins
Miles J. Collins
Alaysia J. Thomas
Robert D. Thomas
Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 5
Registered voters in Connecticut may vote by absentee ballot if they are
unable to vote in person for any of the following reasons:
Absence from town of registration during all election hours;
Inability to attend polling place due to Illness or physical disability;
Active service in the U.S. Armed Forces;
Religious beliefs that forbid secular activity on election day; or
Service as an election official at a polling place other than the polling place where
they vote.
Registered voters can obtain applications for absentee ballots from their local Town Clerk or
Registrar of Voters:
New London residents: 860.447.5206 Waterford residents: 860.444.5836
November 4—Remember to VOTE!
To Fred Smith and the Men of St. James for the wonderful October brunch to kick off our
new Church season!
To Grace Barnum and Sue Chojnacki, our elected delegates to Diocesan Convention, and
Fr. Michel, for their time and effort in conducting the work of the Diocese.
To the Capital Oversight Committee—Bruce Skinner (Chair), Jerry Miller, Peter Hewitt, Peter
Stanley, Ron Steed, Fr. Michel, and advisor, Walt Chojnacki—-for six-plus years of hard work.
To The Anglican Singers for their first Evensong of the new program year and for a great
reception afterwards.
To Lori Sarkett and those attending the first St. James Supper Group of this Program Year.
To All who donated towels for the Covenant Shelter guests. Many thanks from the guests
and staff of the shelter.
To Andrew Howell, Ronald Steed, Peter Stanley, and Travis LaCombe for planning and
launching Music On Whale Oil Row, our new public music program.
Page 6 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
Vestry Notes
Your Vestry held its regular meeting October 7.
Preparations are now under way for the 2015 budget. The Budget Committee will present
the proposed budget to the Vestry in November, and the budget will be voted on by the
Vestry at their December meeting and presented to the Parish during the annual meeting in
January. The Nominating Committee is seeking three Vestry members to serve from 2015
through 2018, along with Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Parish Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant
Treasurer, 1 Delegate to Diocesan Convention, and Parish Historian; these individuals will be
voted on during the Annual Meeting.
Sprigs and Twigs was contracted to remove the trees and shrubbery from the courtyard
along with other trees along our facilities. The trees along the sidewalks were planted by
the City of New London. The City has informed us that they are not responsible for the
damage to sidewalks caused by the tree roots.
An easy-read brochure is being created describing the various Parish ministries of St. James.
The brochure will serve parishioners allowing them to be better able to determine which
ministries are “right” to support.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Dargel,
Parish Clerk
Parish Brunch—Join us!
Our Menu:
Eggs
Bacon
Potatoes
Biscuits
Fruit Cup
Juice and Coffee/Tea
November 9 is our next monthly Parish Brunch
(after the 10 a.m. service), cooked and
served by the Men of St. James. We ask a $3
per person donation—little enough for a won-
derful meal with good friends and great fel-
lowship. So, don’t miss it!
Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 7
Once again our St. James parishioners can reach out
with gifts for “those in need” in the New London area.
Items and ages will be on the tree’s ornaments for your
selection – a special way to bring a little extra warmth to
others on Christmas.
And, the “Giving Tree” will be set up in the parish hall
earlier than usual —Sunday, November 23— for those
who like to shop early. Don’t like to shop? Gift cards or
financial donations are gladly accepted for our shopping
elves.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Barnum
Co-Chair
St. James Christmas “Giving” Tree
Blessing of the Animals
This year St. James Blessing of the Animals was held in the Courtyard. Next year you and
your animal(s) can be part of this. Watch for an announcement.
Page 8 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
Hats, Mittens, Gloves, and Scarves A basket is in the Parish Hall to collect hats,
mittens, gloves, and scarves for our annual
outreach project. The items may be
handmade or store bought.
If you are unable to shop, we will gladly
accept monetary donations and shop for
you! Checks may be made payable to St.
James with “Hats & Mittens” in the memo
line.
Items will be collected now through
November 23.
We will distribute the hats, mittens, gloves,
and scarves to students within the local
schools in Grades K-5 and the Covenant
Shelter.
If you have questions,
please contact Sue
Chojnacki 860.440.3427
or Theresa Bokoff
860.444.7874.
Thank you.
Socks for the Homeless Hospitality Shelter This holiday season, we are requesting donations of new, white socks for
Shelter guests (male and female). Our goal is to “gift” each guest with three
pairs of socks. They may be wrapped (please note on the outside of the
package if they are men’s or women’s—if unisex, no marking needed) or
unwrapped. If you would like to help with sorting and wrapping at the
Greening of the Church on Sunday, December 21, all are welcome.
Jumble Shoppe Sales continue to be brisk this fall at the shop. We are also blessed with an abundance of
donations, both clothing and housewares. A heart-felt thank-you to all our donors and
volunteers! With your help we have been able to support a wide array of missions and
charities, local and international.
We still need additional volunteers as we continue to store out-of-season clothes and find
display space for goods that are newly donated. Please consider helping out whenever
you have spare time on a Tuesday or Saturday. We also are at the shop on some Friday
afternoons to do "catch-up" organization.
Donations are welcome during the shop's open hours: Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1
p.m. If possible, please bring donations during those hours, or call Dorothy Sieburg at
860.447.2896 to arrange for a delivery time. Thank you for your support.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Sieburg,
Co-Manager
Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 9
Episcopal Relief & Development turns 75
St. Nicholas Fair Mark Sunday, December 7, on your calendar for our bi-annual St.
Nicholas Fair after both a.m. services.
There will be a wonderful selection of items for sale: baby items,
quilts, placemats, wine bottle carriers, etc. made by our St. James
Quilters; yummy jams and pickles made by Beverly Driscoll; holiday
gift items from Ecuador; and many other surprises.
Do your Christmas shopping at the St. Nicholas Fair! All proceeds
benefit St. James Parish or one of our outreach programs.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Chartier at 860.443.0590.
For 75 years, Episcopal Relief
& Development’s diverse,
faithful community has
responded compassionately
to the suffering in our world.
With your partnership, we
have grown from our
founding in 1940 as a
granting agency into a
respected international
development organization.
We strengthen local
churches and empower
communities to fight poverty,
hunger, and disease with
sustainable, locally-driven
solutions. Together, we reach
more than 3 million people
annually in almost 40
countries.
A gift to the 75th Anniversary
Campaign will help fight
poverty, hunger, and disease
worldwide in the nearly 40
countries where we
work. This most powerful way
to make an impact gives us
the ability to support our
diverse range of
programmatic work that
does not receive specifically
designated contributions.
Our international partnerships
address challenges in some
of the most remote areas of
the world, as well as in urban
environments where extreme
poverty persists. In many of
these places, the Church is
one of the few institutions
people trust and turn to for
help in the absence of
government systems and
services.
Instead of imposing “one-size
-fits-all” solutions, we support
local, long-term initiatives
that address the effects of
poverty and
disaster. Through our Asset-
Based Community
Development methodology,
we work with communities to
identify and unlock their
unique skills, gifts, talents and
resources.
Page 10 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
Advent Lessons and Carols
Saint James
Sunday, December 14, 2014
5 p.m.
The Anglican Singers are pleased to welcome our new organist, Jonathan White! An
alumnus of the University of Oxford, Jonathan spent a year as Organ Scholar at
Canterbury Cathedral, and has been actively involved with the Royal Society of Church
Music. He is currently studying for the Master of Arts in Religion degree at the Yale Institute
of Sacred Music, with a concentration in religion and music.
Please plan to join us on December 14 for our Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent.
This year, the choir will present works from a number of prominent composers, including G.
F. Handel, J. Rutter, C. V. Stanford, and R. Vaughan Williams. It promises to be a lovely
oasis in the midst of the Christmas rush.
Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 11
Friday, December 5 at 7 p.m.
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992):
La Nativité du Seigneur
(The Birth of the Savior)
Raymond Nagem, organist
Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur (The Birth of the Savior) is arguably one of the most
important organ works of the twentieth century. Its devotional nature is remarkably direct,
for Messiaen possessed a deep-rooted faith and a penetrating theological insight, which
both illuminated his creativity and gave a strongly spiritual dimension to all his work.
Although not initially a part of the Parisian organ tradition, Messiaen grew up artistically
within it and came to explore the organ’s sonorities and tonalities in a radically different
way.
Raymond Nagem, one of the leading organists of his generation, is Associate Organist at
the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, and a C.V. Starr Doctoral Fellow at The
Juilliard School, where he teaches the survey course in organ literature and is a student of
Paul Jacobs. Mr. Nagem earned his B.A. from Yale University, where he studied with
Thomas Murray, and his M.M. from Juilliard. He has previously held positions at The Parish of
All Saints, Ashmont (MA), and Christ Church, New Haven. In addition to his responsibilities
for service playing and choral accompaniment, he works regularly with the Cathedral
Chorale and the Choristers.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Howell,
Organist/Choirmaster
Music on Whale Oil Row
Page 12 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
Fall Parish Clean-up
The fall clean-up was accomplished with ten people, but we cleaned the entire church
proper. I would like to thank Ray Chartier, Ines Granville, Tim Breitenstein, Peter Hewitt,
Margaret Murallo, Gary Koczera, Jerry Miller, Judy Benson, David Higgins, and Nancy Koben
for their conscientious work ethic and for their skills to perform the task at hand. The outside
parking lot was cleaned wherever possible. Thank you once again for your help, it was
greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter Chojnacki,
Buildings & Grounds Chair,
Acolyte Training
We’re looking for a few good
people—interested in
becoming and willing to be
trained as Acolytes.
An Acolyte might carry the
crucifix, leading the
congregation and the Choir
into a service. An Acolyte
might assist in carrying the
Gospel Book during a Gospel
procession. An Acolyte assists
the clergy in dressing the
Altar and then assists people
in getting down from the
Chancel after communion.
An Acolyte is a critical
component of each and
every worship service.
Male or Female, Child or
Adult—you can be a part of
this ministry—by attending our
training sessions. The first
session will be Sunday,
November 2, after the 10
a.m. service. Another session
with be announced later.
For more information speak
with Fr. Michel.
Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 13
Baptisms Parish baptisms will be on Sunday, November 2, as part of our
regular 10 a.m. service. If you know of someone—child or
adult—who is ready to become an “official” member of
Christ’s Church, now would be an appropriate time. Anyone
considering infant baptism would need to have both parents
and godparents attend a pre-baptismal counseling session,
while adults being baptized are asked to have their sponsors
attend with them. The pre-baptismal counseling session will
be Saturday, November 1, at 10 a.m.. Please contact Fr.
Michel (860.443.4989) for more information or to schedule a
place in the class.
Each Sunday we adorn the Altar with flowers (except during Lent), light a Sanctuary
Candle, and consume bread and wine. The Altar Guild pays for these from gifts given by
members, family, and friends of St. James. If you would like to assist one week, an Altar
Flower donation is $45; sanctuary candle $5; and, communion wine or communion wafer,
$10 donation. Your donation can be made as a memorial honoring someone deceased or
as a thank-offering to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or other special event in your life.
Contact the Parish Office or an Altar Guild member for more information.
As always, more than one person can make their offering in any given week. If you’d like
more information, speak to any member of the Altar Guild or contact the Parish Office.
Some Giving Opportunities
Advent begins Sunday, November 30.
“Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness,
and put on the armor of light.”
from The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent,
The Book of Common Prayer, p. 211
Page 14 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
Vestry’s Stewardship Statement
The Episcopal Church teaches the biblical tithe as the standard of stewardship. The Vestry
of St. James believe that they and all parishioners strive to understand and meet that goal
as they personally are able.
Adopted by the Vestry,
November 15, 2004
Stewardship Sunday will be Sunday, November 23. When reviewing your stewardship
information this year, think about—What gifts have you been given? How do you claim
them? How then do you put these gifts to work in the world, perhaps in ways that might
surprise you? How might these look in terms of helping one another in our Parish and in the
community outside our Parish?
Respectfully submitted
Ron Steed,
Stewardship Chair
Stewardship Sunday
Would you like prayers said for the
health of a loved one? Would you
or someone you know like prayer
support during a particularly
challenging time of life? Do you
want to offer special thanks for a
new grandchild or other joyous
event?
St. James Prayer Chain would be
happy to pray with you. The group
prays for the people included in the
Prayers of the People each Sunday.
We also pray for those who are listed
in our Morning Prayer Journal found in
the front vestibule on Sundays.
Please call Grace Barnum at
860.236.5447 to add name(s). It is up
to you how specific you make the
prayer request. You can simply give
us a name or more information about
what they need prayers for, as you
see fit. The people in the Prayer Chain
keep the information confidential.
You can also assist with this ministry by
speaking to Grace Barnum. We ask
you to remember the people you
pray for daily, but how or when you
pray is up to you.
Prayer Chain Ministry
Volume 10 Issue 10 THE NET Page 15
ST JAMES CHURCH TREASURER’S REPORT
October 7, 2014
This report covers from January 1, 2014 through August 31, 2014.
Total Income:
Budgeted Amount: $183,667
Actual Amount: $183,165
Amount Actual is Under Budget: $502
The primary contributor to income underrun is Fund Raising, which is $1,333 less than the
budgeted amount. Pledge Income is $2,081 over the budgeted amount.
Total Expenses:
Budgeted Amount: $265,765
Actual Amount: $265,367
Amount Actual is Under Budget: $398
Although the total expenditure is under budget, there are a few accounts worth noting:
- -Clergy Pension Fund is $2,893 over budget due to a correction of an underpayment last
year.
- - Church Utiilities are $2,803 over budget.
- - Liability and Property Insurance is $4,389 under budget due to a rate change after the
budget was adopted.
Net Ordinary Income:
Total Income: $183,165
Total Expenses: $265,367
Net Ordinary Income: -$82,202
Endowment Income Applied: $81,492
Net Income -$710
Summary: Through August 31, 2014 we are $710 behind where we expected to be based
on our 2014 budget.
Investment Summary:
Balance 12/31/2013: $2,847,215
Balance 08/31/2014: $3,141,309
Total Value Change: $294,094
Withdrawal 5%: $82,202
Change Pre-Withdrawal: $376,296
Summary: Our pre-withdrawal investment value increased $376,296, about 13.2%, through
August 31, 2014. After factoring in the 5% withdrawal, our investments are up $294,094,
about 10.3% through August 31. Most of this increase is from new deposits: $196,401 from
the Ernest Wilkins Bequest and $50,000 from a Palmer Fund Grant. These funds will be used
later in 2014 for Capital Projects.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerald F. Miller, Treasurer
Page 16 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 10
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
New London, CT 06320
Permit No. 236
St. James Episcopal Church
76 Federal Street
New London, CT 06320-6601
Postmaster: Time Sensitive Material, please deliver immediately.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED.