Igniting Passion for Jesus Christ to Change Lives

You’re Always Welcome at St. James’!A special message to newcomers and our visitors today:Our philosophy is simple: Everyone is joyously welcomed. The people of St. James’ come from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles. We welcome diversity in our parish as every person is wondrously created in the image of God. We understand that walking into a church for the first time can be overwhelming, so we seek to create worship that is accessible to everyone.

Everything you need to follow the service is printed in the bulletin. Please sit wherever you like. Our greeters are available to answer your questions during services. There are blue welcome cards in each pew that make it easy to leave contact information. Should you wish, just drop them in the offering or give it to one of our greeters.

Whoever you are, wherever you find yourself in your journey of faith,

This Week at St. James’Saturday Christmas Eve3:30 pm | Family Christmas Service with Pageant 6:30 pm | Christmas Eucharist with Worship Band 9:00 pm | Special Music Offering 9:30 pm | Christmas Eucharist with Choir Sunday Christmas Day 10:00 am | Informal with carols, homily, and Eucharist Monday | No Yoga

Wednesday 6:00 pm | Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Thursday 7:00 pm | Loren & Mark Concert ~ Main Church

New Years DaySunday January 1, 2017 10:00 am | New Year’s Day Service in the Parish Hall, informal Eucharist with special musical guest Loren Barrigar

PLEASE NOTE ~ The Parish Office will be closed 12/26 – 12/29. Emails, voicemails, and messages will be monitored. During the week when the Parish Office is not staffed, the main Parish door will be unlocked for those who need access. Feel free to place all correspondence directed to the Parish Office through the mail slot at the top of the stairs. The Parish Office will re-open on Tuesday, 1/3.

In today’s world of high expectations and stress, our children find St. James’ a refuge where they can feel comfortable and safe exploring their relationship with Jesus. Our Church mission is Igniting Passion for Jesus Christ to Change Lives and that includes all of our children. Through consistent fellowship, engaging lessons, and participation in worship, children at St. James’ take an active role in building their faith and participating as vital members of our parish family.

Families of all sizes, ages and relationships are welcome at St. James’. We are a growing church constantly seeking new ways to energize and fulfill the needs of all our children. Currently we have programs for preschool all the way to high school as well as a staffed nursery at 10:15 for the 10:30 service. The focus for 2017 will be to continue and build on our mission goals to make a difference in our community. Each age group has its own focus and action items. The Saints in Training group (preschool-grade 5) are collecting diapers for the CNY Diaper Bank as a part of their monthly Mission Possible project.

Additionally, once a month Youth actively participate in Joy Church where the entire 10:30 service is centered around Youth. The next Joy Church is January 15th!

This year the children’s ministry program will be offering a Lenten program to parallel adult study. This unique lesson series will focus on five areas of Jesus’ life and ministry and will be held each Wednesday in Lent beginning March 1st at 4:00 pm. Any children from Skaneateles will be able to take the bus directly to church.

We welcome you to join us any Sunday and should you have questions about our Children’s Ministry or wish to assist in any area, do not hesitate to reach out to contact Laura Posecznick at laura@stjamesskan.org.

Bursting with God’s Love!

New Year’s Day Service & Brunch!To kick off 2017 in the very best way pos-sible, St. James’ will be worshipping at one interactive, friendly and informal service at 10 am in the Parish Hall. We are so blessed to have a guest musician this year. Loren Barrigar, internationally known guitarist will be performing during the New Year’s Day service. If that isn’t enough, this service will be followed by a fellowship brunch com-plete with celebratory refreshments! Come ring in the new year at St. James’ this year! If you can bring a dish, please contact Marie Hughes at mphughes3139@yahoo.com.

Volunteer Appreciation EventOn February 17th at 5:30, we will be hosting a fun event celebrating all of our volunteers who keep St. James’ and its ministries going. This event will be full of fun, food, ministry fair and fundraising! The goal is to show our deep appreciation for all the volunteers we have, plus inspire others to get more involved. The big bonus is our gift basket fundraiser. We will be showcasing many gift baskets for anyone to buy a chance to win. The money raised will be put toward several ministries at St. James’. Right now we need people to help and items to put in baskets. We are looking for new items such as gift cards, wine, toys, kitchen items, artwork, beauty products; truly anything you might want to win—we want it! There is a box outside of the Parish Hall for all donations. If you have any questions or wish to assist in this event, please contact Laura Posecznick--laura@stjamesskan.org.

Rescue Mission Partnership UpdateAs part of our commitment to mission, St. James’ has begun helping with delivery of over 50 meals every Wednesday to families living in both the Auburn Housing/Merriman Street area and to those who were recently homeless but living in temporary housing in Auburn. Beginning in January, everyone will have an opportunity to be a part of that ministry. Sign ups will be available. The full report on our growing partnership and next steps with the Auburn Rescue Mission is on orange sheets located in the back of the church or in the Parish Office.

Loren and Mark Live in Concert on December 29th

The International Guitar Duo- Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb will perform at St. James’ on Thurs-day, Dec. 29th at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to come and enjoy the acoustic sounds of this amazing duo, plus the chance to meet them afterward. Also, the Carol Bryant Trio featuring St. James’ own Dave Arliss will be opening the show. There will be a free-will offering as well as refreshments. For more informa-tion about Loren and Mark, visit their website at www.lorenandmark.com.

Annual Meeting AnnouncementThe James’ Episcopal Church will hold it’s 201st Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 5, 2016 immediately following the 10:30am service. The State of the Parish and the 2017 Budget will be presented. Warden and Vestry positions will be voted upon.

Habitat for Humanity Mission TripKip Coerper will be leading a Habitat Global Village work trip for up to 12 people to El Salvador on May 27-June 4, 2017. No con-struction experience is necessary. The entire trip costs $1500 plus airfare which is all tax deductible and scholarship money is available upon request. To find out more about this trip, please contact Kip at Kip@stjamesskan.org.

Happening at St. James’

Epiphany Service-January 8thSt. James’ is planning something extra spe-cial for the Epiphany, January 8th services this year. To elevate the services, we are asking for people to bring 2 things. The first item is a gift to honor Jesus as the three wise men did so long ago. We are sug-gesting a non-perishable canned good for the food pantry, a diaper donation for the Saints-In-Training Mission Possible project, or a handcraft that represents a talent or gift you possess. The second item we are requesting is a picture of “people around the world”. These pictures can be cut out from magazines, newspapers or down-loaded from the internet. Our goal is to have a multitude of images representing diverse cultures, races, genders, ages, etc. Please plan on joining us on January 8th at either 7:30, 9:00 or 10:30 to celebrate our inter-active Epiphany worship. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Becky or the Parish Office at 315-685-7600.

Stephen Ministry-God’s Love in ActionStephen Ministry trains lay people to provide one-on-one care to people in our parish family who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. It does not have to be a crisis. It is a confidential, listen-ing ministry, meeting with people weekly for approximately one hour for as many weeks as needed. St. James’ has had Stephen Ministry for 16 years training over 50 people. Currently, there are about 15 active ministers. If you would like to know more about this pastoral care-giving pro-gram, contact Nancy Graham at nancy@stjamesskan.org or call 315-317-0138.

Theme for Adult Formation in 2017:

At a time in our nation’s history when we are keenly aware that differences can lead to misunderstanding, conflict and even violence, Christians have an opportunity to be peacemakers and to model the importance of building relationships. Therefore, at St. James’ we have chosen a theme for adult formation in 2017: “Who is my neighbor?”. During this year, we will focus on learning about and building relationships with people of other races, other religions, and those who reflect America’s post-Christian culture. Part One of “Who is my neighbor?” will take place during Lent when the focus will be racism and white-privilege. The book America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America, by Jim Wallis, will provide background reading for small group discussion.

Small groups will meet weekly during Lent on Wednesday, with sessions offered at two times, a light supper will be offered, and there will be an afternoon class for kids on five areas of Jesus’ life and ministry. We will focus on Jesus as a youth, his minis-try and miracles, his journey to the cross, and of course the meaning of Easter. The kids program is open for school age children on up. If your child attends Skaneateles School, he/she can ride the bus to St. James’. It is our hope that having a children’s program side by side an adult study will enable more families to participate.

The Lenten program runs March 8 through April 5 with the following weekly schedule:

4 PM: kids program and adult group 15 PM: light supper6 PM: Informal Eucharist and healing prayers7 PM: adult group 2

Who is my neighbor?

Capital Campaign Phase 3AAs we move closer to completing our Standing Tall Campaign, we learned that we have a financial gap required to complete Phase 3A. After four families making incredibly gener-ous donations totaling $259,000, that gap is now only $66,000. This last phase con-stitutes the most important aspects of the Campaign goals to provide universal access and ensure safety for all. The main features of this proposed phase are a street level, gradually sloped and heated entryway into the Parish Hall, and adjoining interior elevator.

We are now asking all St. James’ families to consider how your family might participate in closing this gap. If your family made an initial pledge, we are asking that you consider pledging an additional 10%. If you have become part of St. James’ since the initial fundrais-ing, we ask that you consider how your family can participate in closing the $66,000 gap.

An important feature of the original campaign, was setting aside about 10% of each gift for mission. For those making a new gift, this designation will apply. The Vestry has approved the option however, for those making a second gift, to designate 100% for construction. Please note your preference in writing on your new pledge card. Pledge cards are being sent out to the entire parish family. If you did not receive one or are new and would like to participate, please contact an usher or the Parish Office at 315-685-7600. We ask that you return your pledge card no later than January 31, 2017. Gifts made in 2017 are highly welcomed, but pledges can also be completed over time. Thank you for all that has been accomplished, and all that these projects will enable in generations yet to come.

is not in the presents, but in presence.

St. James’ Staff and Ministry Directory Contact Information Rector The Rev. Dr. Becky Coerper becky@stjamesskan.org Priest Associate The Rev. Toppie Bates toppie@stjamesskan.org Deacon The Rev. Charles N. Stewart chuck@stjamesskan.org

Parish Manager Beth Cichostepski beth@stjamesskan.org Director of Volunteer Ministries Laura Posecznick laura@stjamesskan.org Pastoral Coordinator Nancy Graham nancy@stjamesskan.org Worship Band Director Pete Hawley pete@stjamesskan.org Organist Bruce Osborne bruce@stjamesskan.org Choir Director Kip Coerper kip@stjamesskan.org

Ministry Leaders Building & Grounds Dave Plogman dplogman@brownlie.com Children’s Ministry Team Leader Laura Posecznick laura@stjamesskan.org Middle School Youth Team Leader Courtney Rowe newlifeyogi@gmail.com Nursery Coordinator Melinda Hawley melindahawleynd@gmail.com Audio Visual Team Leader Michael Brown michaelbrownmarcellus@gmail.com Editor of the Weekly News Laura Spanfelner stjamesweekly@gmail.com Editors of the Spirit Jon Glass jnglass@syr.edu Susanne Houston susanne.howe@yahoo.com Parish Nurses Nancy Corl njcorl@verizon.net Jean Gannon Jeanrrn2@yahoo. com

St. James’ 2016 Vestry and Wardens Ministry Directory

Wardens Susanne Houston, Finance Sharon Arliss, Human Resources Vestry Members Christine Burgher, Finance Nancy Corl, Human Resources Gail Cowley, Finance Jeff Davis, Stewardship Colleen Gannon, Buildings and Grounds Ellen Kulik, Mission Carolyn Legg, Mission Emily Thomas, Stewardship

Parish Office Hours —Monday – Thursday 9:00am–4:00pm Parish Phone: 315-685-7600Monday is the Rector’s scheduled day off www.stjamesskan.org