The Voice of St. James OnLine
May 2008

Myra A. McDaniel, Editor

Features

• Rector's Reflections
• From the Warden
• Snapshot
• St. James' School
• EYC and J2A (Journey to Adulthood)
• Ven a La Mesa de Bienvenida
• Mobile Loaves and Fishes
• Christian Formation
  • Children's - Announcements
  • Children's - Ongoing Programs
  • Adult Offerings
• Ministry Opportunities
• E-Giving
• Housekeeping Corner!
  • Office Hours
  • Reimbursements
• Introducing Visitors
• Odds & Ends
• Anglican Cycle of Prayer
• CLOSING PRAYER

HEADLINES

 

Stewardship as Service

God calls us to be faithful stewards of our time, talent, and resources.

As a community, we have a strong commitment to Christian formation for children, youth, and adults; to pastoral care; and to providing multicultural experience.

Our ministries range from programs located on our church campus--such as St. James’ Episcopal School and the East Austin Wellness Initiative--to our partnership with the Ali Arab Hospital in Gaza.

We value our role in nurturing and helping train seminarians from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.

—The Core Values of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas

PARISH GET-TOGETHER AT ST. JAMES’ CHURCH
Town Hall Meeting
"Discuss the State of the Church"

May 3, 2008–10 a.m. to noon

Hear about Parish ministries and organizations
Volunteer!  Join!  Ask Questions!

12 noon–Eat delicious food prepared by
THE CHURCH GUYS

Afternoon 1-4 p.m.
Karaoke, sack races, potato races, three-legged races, volleyball and other fun activities or just hang out!

Child care will be provided 10 a.m. to noon

If you want your ministry or organization to be represented, please contact Martha Frede at marthafred@sbcglobal.net or 306-1185, so that a time slot can be reserved for you to make your presentation, and space can be provided at one of the sigh-up tables for your representative and your info.

—Stewardship Committee

PENTECOST
MOTHER’S DAY
May 11, 2008

On May 11th, something unique will occur–Pentecost and Mother's Day will be celebrated on the same day. The following traditions have been observed at St. James' over the years, please wear something "red" for Pentecost and hats are worn by women to commorate Mother's Day.

Another tradition, at every service, is for the Gospel and the Lord's Prayer to be read in the language of your birth, the language of your parents or a language which you have learned. The desire is to replicate the cacophony of sounds that were heard on Pentecost when everyone spoke at the same time.

The Gospeler will start reading John 20:19-23 in English. (If John 7:37-39 is the text of choice, you will be alerted.) Those who desire to participate in a language other than English, will start reading at your own speed, in the voice of a lector, the Gospeler will speak in a soft tone in order to hear the variety of languages present. Do not rush, do not stop when the English stops. There may be one or two languages proclaming the Gospel after the English has stopped.

The same goes for the Lord's Prayer. Please pray in your language, at your speed, using the voice of a lector and continue even after other languages have stopped. If your language is English, please speak in a soft tone so that non-English voices can be heard.

—Ora Houston, Director of Congregational Involvement

FIRST GOOD FRIDAY PROJECT
IN OUR NEW SPACE

On Good Friday, March 21, St. James’ held our first Good Friday Project (GFP) in our new home. And, if I do say so myself, it was a success!

The GFP was conceived by Fr. Bill Miller and Boyd Vance as a way to include Austin’s artistic community in our reflection of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Performing artists of all genres are invited to offer a response to the crucifixion in whatever form that takes for them personally. 

The community enters the sanctuary in silence. There is no applause during or after the offerings. Our church becomes one of those “thin places” were the sacred and the secular combine and we meet the Holy Spirit face to face.

This year, four Obiloms came forward to offer the gift of dance. Jessica, Stephanie, Kennedy, and Karen performed a piece choreographed by Mila Jackson to the song Rafiki Mourns from The Lion King. This short, powerful piece underscored the feeling of loss that must have been felt by those waiting at the foot of the cross while Jesus died.

A somber beginning gave way to lighthearted moments in the reading of Dr. Marvin Kimbrough’s TGIF [Thank God it’s Friday//Thank God for Good Friday]. This response to the Passion was written at the request of Boyd Vance for the GFP on March 25, 2005. It was read by ProArts Collective member Carole Metellus.

Full Circle, a five woman vocal ensemble, sang a moving a capella piece called Traveling Shoes and were then accompanied by Sharon Coleman on piano for a piece called One Heart. Then Kent Burress played an inspired improvisation on the organ, Larry Williams performed his own original poem, and Fleming and Fong performed two duets on flute and piano.

We were excited to have Proyecto Teatro join us again to offer a dramatic piece in Spanish. Part of the power of this performance was the fact you might not understand the words being spoken but you still felt the desperate need for love, forgiveness, and acceptance that we all experience in our lives.

The evening closed with the Wesley Praise Dancers performing to Kirk Franklin’s Hero, a reprise of TGIF by Carole Metellus, and George Powellsinging original arrangements of Were You There and I Know It Was the Blood.

The Good Friday Project ended in darkness: altar illumined with cross and banner hanging over it; illumined font; and illumined Stations of the Cross. Exiting in silence, the sincere hope is that the audience carried the Holy Spirit out into the world with them.

The next Good Friday Project will be offered on April 10, 2009. We would love to see you there.

—Gina Houston

FEATURES...

Rector's Reflections

 And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.     —-Matthew 28: 20  

These are the last words of Jesus to his friends.  The very last thing.  Words to give them heart enough to face the days and night ahead of them, for this life and whatever life may come.  He had said something like this to them earlier, but they had such a hard time grasping his meaning.  Maybe now they would come to understand. 

Of all the teachings over the years of walking the dusty roads of Palestine with him, all the signs and wonders he had performed, all the people healed, and all the miracles, this is what he wanted them to remember.  He wanted them to remember that their faith was not alone, that they were not left behind like orphans.  He always offered them hope in life.  He always offered them courage.  He offered them his own hope and his own courage.  He always offered them himself.  And now, he wanted so much for them to believe this one last thing.  He wanted them to trust him one more time.  Trust that his presence would be there with them no matter what happened to them.  Trust that the sound of his voice would be as close as that last moment.  Always, he had said to them.  No matter what.  And they believed him.  And the world would never be the same.

There are times in life when we feel so alone.  Not all the time for everyone.  But, everyone knows what alone feels like.  It is not that hoped for aloneness of solitude.  It is just lonely.  And so, many of us try to fill in the blanks of time with lots of anything.  It’s like our life is just a deep black hole and we keep filling it up with whatever will occupy us, distract us, keep our mind elsewhere, anywhere but owning that dreadful feeling we know is waiting for us.  And we hope and pray that this feeling won’t last.  Thank God it passes, most of the time.

But life and a life of faith aren’t different lives.  They are all part of the same complicated fabric.  And so, in our spiritual life, we sometimes find ourselves lonely too.  And many of us try to fill in the blanks with lots of spiritual anything.  Once again to occupy us, entertain us, and keep our minds elsewhere.  Anywhere but the loneliness of the human soul.. 

In those troubling times, those moments or days or years of spiritual isolation, what do you think we believe about those words of Jesus?  Why not go ahead and trust him?  After all, the frantic activity that just makes us tired and bone weary surely hasn’t solved the mystery of our life.  What do we have to lose? 

The last words in the Gospel of Matthew wait for us, abide with us.  Jesus Christ offers us hope and courage just as much as he offered those gifts of himself to his friends in a remote corner of the world two thousand years ago.  And I believe he wants the same for us, the same trust of him this one last time.  He wants us to know that, no matter how dark the night and how isolated we might feel, his presence will be there.  He wants us to know that the sound of his voice is as close as our deepest prayer.  Always.  No matter what.  If we begin to believe this, our world will never be the same.

Peace, The Rev'd Jeffrey H. Walker and Interim Rector

A Word from the Warden

On April 17, we received from our construction superintendent our final Certificate of Occupancy, meaning that Founders' Hall and the worship building are now officially ours. The city inspections are finished, a long awaited and much anticipated moment. The punch lists should be completed by the end of the month. This will bring an end to the construction phase of our occupancy and we can get on with other things. God is good!!

We all owe a HUGE THANK YOU to The Rev, Bill Adams who has done a yeoman's job of guiding us through the construction of our new buildings! He has been faithful and tireless in his efforts.

—Simone Talma Flowers, Senior Warden

Snapshot: Claude Maye

The St. James’ community has its share of educators, nurses, attorneys, computer geeks, musicians, and even priests, but the occupation of Claude Maye, a newcomer to St. James’ is unique.  Claude is the warden of the Federal Correctional Institution in Bastrop, and a quite remarkable man.

Claude moved to Manor three months ago, transferring from the Fort Dix Federal Correction Institution in New Jersey, where he was associate warden.  He has been with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 20 years and worked in prisons in North Carolina, his home state, Ohio, Kansas, Tennessee, New Jersey, and once before in Texas, as associate administrator in the prison system’s regional offices in Dallas.  He also spent three years in the army stationed at Fort Hood.

This eighth location with the Bureau of Prisons and his first as warden is Claude’s dream job, and one for which he is well-prepared and ideally suited by temperament and training.

Claude grew up in Durham, N.C.  He attended North Carolina Central University, famed as the nation’s first public liberal arts college founded for African-Americans in 1910, now with a large, diverse student body of 9,000 and many undergraduate and graduate degree programs.    Claude was enrolled in a master’s program in criminal justice, with a concentration in corrections administration, hoping to go on for a doctorate and teach in college.   His professor, however, told him that he needed an internship to complete the program and urged him to work in a prison.  Claude wasn’t sure prison work was for him, but he decided to “try it for a week.”  Obviously, he loved it, for he abandoned his idea of teaching and took his first job in the Federal Correction program on the social work track, having more of a focus on the inmate than on operations.  This, he thinks, has had a great effect on his management philosophy and style.

Maye’s style as warden of a primarily low security-level institution of 1344 inmates is straightforward yet easygoing.  He calls it “management by walking round.” He believes in being “quiet and behind the scenes,” and “blending in.” When he sees changes that need to be made—and he is meticulous about cleanliness, order, and discipline— he is careful that they take place gradually and quietly so as to be hardly noticed—something important in a prison where regularity is critical to inmate management.  His office is spare and undecorated because, he says, he spends so little time there.   After only three months on the job, he knows all of his 251 staff and recognizes and is recognized by all of the inmates.  In fact, the atmosphere in this federal correctional institution is amazingly cordial and relaxed.

Instead of the hour interview I requested, Warden Maye spent nearly three hours taking us on a full tour of the facility—a great educational experience.  We walked around the campus (for it seemed like a campus) passing many inmates along the way, visiting every building and program: the educational building with its computers and library; the chapel, where we met one of the two full-time chaplains; the medical wing with physician, physician’s assistant, nurse, and pharmacist on staff; the psychologists wing, with two full-time psychologists; the drug treatment wing with several drug education counselors.  All of these staff federal prison employees.  The dining area was spotless, though the aroma of the next meal was enticing.  We even visited one of the residence units and learned about daily life, work, recreation, and evening lock-in routines.

Most amazing was the federal prison industries program, UNICOR, which employs approximately 400 of the prison population in retrofitting vehicles for use in various federal agencies—the two we saw being worked on were trucks for U.S. Border Patrol and the National Forest Service. There men are trained in a variety of metalworking, electrical, and automotive skills and earn a salary.  These jobs are highly sought after and those with them must maintain the highest standards of work and behavior.  The prison also has an inmate fire crew of minimum security-level inmates who live and work in the camp program just beyond the fenced compound and provide 24/7 service to the area.

We were extremely impressed with the educational opportunities being offered, from GED courses to college distance learning.  Warden Maye routinely tells the inmates, “Just because you’re locked up doesn’t mean you can’t continue learning.”  And to those who are serving sentences for drug offences—approximately 78% of the population—Maye advises, “If an individual wants to make a change, the opportunities are here.”  And our tour certainly made that evident. There is an active volunteer program at the prison, and the chaplain sees a role for churches in helping inmates prepare for re-entry into society, helping them network for housing, jobs, and providing friendly support.  (The average sentence length is 2 ½ years.)

Claude was baptized Episcopalian, but, as did his parents, stopped attending Episcopal services.  For a while he tried the Baptist churches, then the Unitarian ones.  Finally, though, missing the liturgy and the structure of the church, he returned to the Episcopal faith.  When he arrived in the Austin area, he contacted the Diocesan Office to ask about local Episcopal churches.  From the information he received, he chose St. James’. 

Although a newcomer to St. James’, Claude attended the recent Norman Elementary School interest group meeting, and hopes to participate as his work permits.  He is engaged to be married to Sharon Kitchen who lives and works in Kansas, which is where they’ll be married on September 13.   Sharon has visited St. James’ with Claude in the past, and when he talks with her on the phone she asks invariably asks, “How was the music on Sunday?”  

Claude Maye is such an interesting newcomer to St. James’.  Look for him at the 10:15 service and let’s all be on the lookout for Sharon, who loves our music!

—Karen Bordelon Hartwell

St. James' Episcopal School

Here are thoughts from some of our present parents about St. James’ Episcopal School.  

Marisol Gonzales:  I am very proud that my daughter has been a part of St. James’ Episcopal School.  I know in my heart that her knowledge and confidence is a reflection of the hard work that the teachers and staff have put into teaching her.  I know that the past four and a half years have helped build a solid foundation for my child’s future.   She enjoys reading, practicing math, and has great manners.  St. James’ has provided the environment that I would recommend for any parent.   St. James’ is like a home to us, and it will always be a part of our hearts. 

Liliana Torres:  My children are growing to know what a diverse environment is and how everyone can get along.  My children are learning to thank God every day before the day begins, and day by day I see that my children are learning geography, history, math, writing, and about life.

Kathryn Crabtree:  St. James’ has truly touched my family’s life these past 2 ½ years.  It has been a safe harbor in our stormy world.  St. James’ is more than a school; it’s a family.  The teachers and staff truly care about your child and want what is best for her – in every aspect.   When you drop your child off each day, you can do it with the peace of mind that she will be taken care of.  When you pick up your child at the end of the day, you can see in your child’s face and attitude that she feels safe and is nurtured.  Gabriella has flourished in the classroom because of this.  She feels confident in her abilities and will be prepared for her upcoming departure into first grade at a new school.  St. James’ has helped her build that solid foundation that will help her to succeed for the rest of her life.  God has truly blessed our family by allowing St. James’ to be part of our life. 

Ria Berry: St. James’ can best be described as the little community God built.  It’s not just a “school,” it is a testimony of what love, faith, prayer and community can do.  Children do not just receive schooling, they receive life lessons in a diverse soothing environment, while learning to establish their spirituality.   St. James’ to me is a blessing, built in love, in order for children to receive love.

—Glennie Burgess, Head of School

EYC & J2A

The Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) and Journey to Adulthood (J2A) are programs for the youth, who are in grades 7-12. EYC is a program where we do recreational activities and service projects. For instance, we usually help with Mobile Loaves and Fishes once a month. This program is one where we make sandwiches and bring them and other food out to communities that would benefit from that. We also go to movies, play in the park and go bowling. J2A is a discussion program where we talk about issues that are important to teenagers, such as peer pressure and then we apply the Episcopalian religion to the issue.

We meet every Sunday after the 10:15 a.m. service from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Church office. We rotate J2A and the EYC with J2A occurring 3 weeks in a row and then EYC the next week. For more information and to be warmly encouraged to come, please contact Lisa Braithwaite at lcbraith@aol.com.

—Lisa Braithwaite, EYC Coordinator

EYC

The EYC works in conjunction with J2A in providing both fun activities and great discussions for young adults, grades 7 though 12. EYC/J2A meets every Sunday right after the 10:15 a.m. service. We will be discussing a wide range of topics, from religion to relationships. We also will be doing fun activities, such as bowling, pool parties and movies. The group participates in community service projects such as Mobile Loaves and Fishes.

If you would like to find out more about this program or find out what activities will be going on during September, please contact Lisa Braithwaite.

J2A (Journey to Adulthood)

By the time you read this, St. James’ will have held its second Rite-13 liturgy, (on April 27th) celebrating our thirteen-yr-olds, who have left childhood behind and become young men and young women.  We make it clear that while they are no longer children, still they are not yet adults, either.  The state of adulthood requires certain skills and abilities that for the most part they do not yet have, but which can be learned and developed.  We offer them the support and encouragement of their peers to help them navigate through this phase of their development, in which they are becoming less and less dependent on their parents and more and more focused on learning things on their own. 

This is the program which we call “Journey to Adulthood” and abbreviate as J2A.   Its sessions present fun activities which focus on six different skill areas:

• Active listening
• Negotiation
• Assertion
• Research and information management
• Partnership
• Leadership

These sessions are held on Sundays at about noon, or right after the 10:15 service has ended, under the leadership of Margaret Shaw, Terry Dawson, Lisa Braithwaite, Keith Braithwaite, Chike Okpara, and Aimee Estep.  They offer an in-depth exploration of self, spirituality, sexuality, and the society we live in.                             

—Jo Krouse, Coordinator of J2A

Ven a La Mesa de Bienvenida
Los Valores Núcleares de La Iglesia San Santiago, Austin, Texas

La Iglesia San Santiago es una comunidad cristiana cariZosa y animada llamada por nuestro SeZor Jesu Cristo para amarnos unos a otros, para dar la bienvenida a todos y para proclamar El Evangelio de servicio a las necesidades del mundo en cual vivimos. La vida de la parroquia esta centrada en la tradición de adoración Episcopal. 

La Herencia
“La piedra que les constructores despreciaron se ha convertido en la piedra principal.” Salmo 118:22, San Mateo 21:42, San Marcos 12:10, San Lucas20:1

Nosotros tenemos mucho cariZo, afirmamos y continuamos el patrimonio Afro-Americano. Recordando que La Iglesia San Santiago fue iniciada por Episcopales  negros quienes no fueron bienvenidos en las iglesias de los blancos en Austin, luchamos por ser una iglesia donde todos los hijos y las hijas del SeZor puedan participar en  la adoración con un espíritu de aceptación amorosa.

Bienvenidos
    “Dondequiera que usted esté en su camino de  fe, usted es bienvenido a esta mesa.”

Escuchamos estas palabras en cada Eucaristía y buscamos vivirlas cada día con el respeto  que mostramos los unos a otros.Dondequiera que tu estés tu eres bienvenido aquí. Este es un lugar para todos en la mesa de San Santiago. Que es la mesa de Dios.

Trabajamos para practicar un ministerio de hospitalidad radical en donde intencionalmente somos incluyentes, respetuosos, dando bienvenida y nutritivos. San Santiago proporciona un lugar santo y seguro  donde podemos tener conversaciones agradables sobre temas difíciles; donde nos apoyamos unos a otros en nuestra vida de fe; donde estamos abiertos para encontrar maneras nuevas para cumplir la voluntad de Dios.

Nuestros tiempos de adoración están llenos de gozo. Valoramos nuestra maravillosa, espiritualizada y variada música. Apreciamos las expresiones creativas en la liturgia y las artes. Valoramos predicaciones buenas. Buscamos que las maneras de adoración sean una experiencia nutritiva para los niZos y las niZas.

Nuestras celebraciones de Eucaristía son variadas para cumplir las necesidades de nuestra congregación, incluyendo nuestra comunidad que habla espaZol.

Vamos adelante en el mundo, regocijándonos en el poder del Espíritu. ¡Aleluya!

Dios nos llama a ser fieles mayordomos de nuestro tiempo, talento y recursos.

Como una comunidad, tenemos un compromiso fuerte con la formación cristiana de los niZos, jóvenes y adultos; de cuidado pastoral; y de proporcionar una experiencia multicultural.

Nuestros ministerios van desde programas realizados dentro del campo de la iglesia, así como la  Escuela de San Santiago y  La Iniciativa de Salud en el este de Austin; hasta nuestra colaboración con el Hospital Ali Arab en Gaza.

Valoramos nuestro papel para nutrir y ayudar en la formación de seminaristas del Seminario Teológico Episcopal del Suroeste,

Nos regocijamos en nuestra diversidad de San Santiago. San Santiago proporciona una oportunidad para cada uno de nosotros en compartir nuestra adoración Episcopal con personas que son diferentes a nosotros y creemos que somos bendecidos por esta experiencia.Oramos porque nuestra comunidad que es diversa y cariZosa pueda ser una guía de esperanza y gozo anticipado del Reino de Dios.

—Jack Robertson

Mobile Loaves & Fishes

Please volunteer at ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH DAY AT MOBILE LOAVES AND FISHES food distribution for the homeless at 903 South Capital of Texas Highway (360) - on the grounds of St. John Neuman Church on Saturday, May 17th beginning at 9:30AM.  For more information or to let them know you'll be there to help, contact Erik and Kathy Kwiecienski, St. James' lead ministers of this community service, at kathykski2005@yahoo.com or by phone to 512-431-1530.  We make sandwiches and deliver them and other items to the homeless in downtown Austin.  The Mobile Loaves and Fishes building is on the east side of Capital of Texas  Highway between Lost Creek Blvd. and Las Cimas Blvd (look for the historic marker sign).  Las Cimas Blvd is the next intersection south of Bee Caves. Clothing, especially white tube socks and shoes, and toiletries are always appreciated.

—Madeline Rae Gill

Christian Formation at St. James'

Announcements

The Children’s Sabbath will be held Sunday May, 18.  The children will be lectors; there will be a children’s sermon; and the Children’s Choir will sing.   We will also recognize children that are moving from one Christian Formation program to another.   Please join us as we celebrate and lift up the plight of children in our midst and around the world. 

Children’s Choir rehearsals May 4, and May 18 at 9 a,m. in the purple Winona Miles building.  And Saturday, May 17.  Time and place TBA.

Christian Formation Breaks - Children’s Christian Formation programming will not take place May 25 or June 1. 

The Vacation Bible School Sundays will begin June 15.

We will show “Happy Feet” from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. on June 8.   This movie is in keeping with our Vacation Bible School theme. 

It’s time to get ready to Take the Plunge and Make a Splash with Jesus!  Your kids won’t want to miss the ride of their lives at the Take the Plunge water park! This water park adventure will take place each Sunday beginning June 15. 

If you are interested in volunteering to work during The Vacation Bible School Sundays, please contact me at mijackso@sbcglobal.net or 926-2341 or visit our table at the Town Hall Meeting.     

—Mila Jackson, Director Christian Formation

Ongoing Christian Formation Programs for Children

Children enter the Eucharist each Sunday at 11:15am. This gives us a full hour to worship in Catechesis 'of the Good Shepherd's Atrium (the annex) and Godly Play's Worship Center (The Winona Miles Classroom).

On-Call Nursery Volunteer Team. We are blessed to have Liz Powell as the coordinator of the "On-Call" Nursery Volunteer Team. Each Sunday one member of this team will be "on-call." When the number of infants and toddlers reaches ten, that person will receive a page alerting them that the nursery is in need of assistance.

This is a centers approach to Christian formation. We will interact with the Sunday Paper, a weekly paper that follows the lectionary written especially for children by Gretchen Pritchard. It teaches the lessons, psalms and Gospel to children using interesting cartoons. The children will then participate in a variety of activities related to the lessons or Gospel. The children will have the choice to work in centers that involve art, music, drama, and cooking. A snack will be provided. Please join us in the Purple Winona Miles Building. 

In the Level I Atrium, children three and four years of age come to know God in the form that is most concrete for them. That is God as Jesus. Each child comes to know and love Jesus as the little baby born on Christmas morning; Jesus as The Good Shepherd; and Jesus as the Light of the World. Catechists facilitate the development of a loving relationship between each child and The Good Shepherd.

In the Level II Atrium, kindergartners – first graders are ready to explore a larger concept of God. They are ready to delve more deeply into the idea of God as both the redeemer and creator. Again the Catechists facilitate the development of a loving relationship between each child and God the Father and God the Son.

Please join us from 10:00 am – 10:15 am for snack and fellowship in the Purple Winona Miles Building then from 10:15am – 11:15am for worship in the Atriums which are housed in the Orange Building.

Children experience life to its fullest. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is experiential and formational. It is not Christian Education as we have known it in the past. It is not "head knowledge" and then asking the children to draw a picture, for the children do not live in their heads. Yes, there is a curriculum - there is a plan and a lesson being presented each week, but there is much more. The children experience a Holy place to be, encountering God and "coming closer to God, all by myself." This is done through careful preparation of the environment, the leaders (called "Catechists"), and the children. The children engage in praying, singing, and working while in this prepared environment. They are able to choose what they enjoy doing and find fulfilling, all while using their senses and cognitive abilities. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is more accurately called Christian formation - forming one's inner and spiritual life and one's relationship with God.

—Marti Rickel, Former Catechesis of The Good Shepherd Coordinator

Godly Play is a method of Christian education and spiritual direction for children age 2-12. (At St. James' 2nd grade- 5th grade) The goal of Godly Play is to teach children the art of using religious language – parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action – to help them become more fully aware of God's presence in their lives. Godly Play is not a "rote" or "transfer" method of teaching and learning. It is an experiential, "discovery" method which engages the whole child – hands, heart, mind, senses, and intuition. This is the best way for children (perhaps all of us) to internalize and retain what we learn The children have the opportunity to "enter" the story, "wonder" about it, and then find and express meaning that connects to their own lives. Instead of meditating abstractly on God's word, the children "meditate" in an artistic and kinesthetic way. Thus, Godly Play helps children know God– not just know about God or about the Bible.

Excerpts from Center for the theology of Childhood – Jerome Berryman

Please join us from 10:00am – 10:15am for snack and fellowship in the Purple Winona Miles Building then from 10:15am – 11:15am for worship in the Godly Play Worship Center which is housed in the Red Building.

—Mila Jackson, Director of Christian Formation

Sunday Morning Adult Forum

In May, we will watch (about 20 minutes each Sunday) and then discuss an interview between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bill Moyers.  This film has been added to the St. James’ media collection. The following is a description of the film by The Films Media Group.

Renowned as a voice of conscience in apartheid South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel laureate and Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), has spent his life opposing his nation’s discriminatory policies. In a powerful interview with prize-winning journalist Bill Moyers, this courageous Anglican prelate discusses his life and work and shares his thoughts on justice, truth, and forgiveness, so timely at the end of a century notorious for genocide and flagrant human rights violations. The Archbishop candidly describes his experiences during three years traveling the country to unflinchingly gather atrocity testimony. Archbishop Tutu and Mr. Moyers also discuss the TRC’s international impact as a model and what America in particular can learn from South Africa’s attempt at reconciliation. Although expressions of remorse and the granting of forgiveness between perpetrators and victims have not been universal, the Archbishop devoutly hopes that his troubled nation can find closure with its past so that it can pave the way to a brighter future, for everyone.                           

—Susan Gezana

Monday Night Adult Offerings

The Intercessory Prayer Group meets each Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Church and is open to all who wish to pray for others with a group of people. Please feel free to come and join us at the church.

The Theological Discussion Group meets each Monday night in room 211 on the campus of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest at 32nd and Duval Streets. All are welcome. We begin at 7 p.m and conclude at 9 p.m. Hope to see some of you there. If you need directions you may call the church office at 926-6339.

Tuesday Night Adult Programs

Phenomenal Woman. Phenomenal Woman is a Bible study group for the Women of St. James'. The Women of St. James’ further their spiritual growth through readings and discussions from the Bible and books, sharing their journeys through life, reflection and lending support to each other. The Phenomenal Woman’s group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the home of a participant of the group who has volunteered to host the meeting.   For more details about the study group, contact Theresa Burke Garcia or Simone Talma Flowers.

Wednesday Night Adult Programs

The Voltrons. This “Young Adults” Group meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Episcopal Seminary. Check the website at www.voltrons.pbwiki.com or call Sarah Faehnle, 585-0340 and be warmly urged to join.

Monthly Christian Formation Meeting

WRAP (White Racial Awareness Process) - Meets monthly to reflect on issues of white identity and inter-culturalism in a discussion free of guilt, blame, or shame. For questions or further information, please contact: Teresa Chang (turner.teresa@gmail.com; 241-1714); Jason Brownlee (jasonbrownlee@yahoo.com; 299-3022) or Martha Frede (marthafrede@sbcglobal.net; 306-1185).

Ministry Opportunities!

It is important that time be spent describing the various ministries in the congregation. There are, of course, the traditional ones: Altar Guild, Greeters, Ushers, Acolytes, Scouting, Christ Child Guild, Jazz at St. James', Daughter's of the King, Audio and Tape, Christian Formation, Stewardship, Newsletter, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Intercessors and Flower Guild.

Members are also involved with our partnership with the Diocese of Jerusalem, specifically the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Trinity Center, Connections Fellowship, Monday Night Theological Discussion, Phenomenal Woman's Bible Study, ‘In as Much as' (which provides food for families), Interfaith Care Alliance and the Monday Night Prayer.

The non-traditional ministries and missions are developed based on the interest of the members of the congregation. Therefore, we organize by way of ‘Affinity Groups', which theoretically includes members from all four services. "An affinity group consists of members [of the congregation] who share something in common…"—The Rev. Eric H.F. Law

The current affinity groups are:

• Health Care Professionals - Joyce Christian, RN
• Literary and Visual Artists - Marvin Kimbrough and Retta Kelly
• Attorneys - Bill Ikard and Monica Ingram
• Peace and Justice -
• Pastoral Care - Hugh Craig and Janet Maykus
• Facilities and Grounds - Charlie Gunn and Susie Milam
• Information Technology - Riley Carruthers and Elenor Lewis
• Outdoor Activities - Linda Fields and Lora Livingston
• Religious Communities - David Luke Henton
• Sewers and Sowers - Lila Empson
• Norman Elementary - Catherine Petit
• Interfaith Action Team - Alex Ogunmuyiwa

If I have missed any ministries they can be found in the 2007 Annual Parish Meeting document. Three outcomes are met by organizing in this fashion: a way to incorporate new members into the life of the congregation; a way to meet other members of the congregation from other services who share similar work experiences or interests; and a way to match the skills, interests and expertise of the community of believers with ministry opportunities not only in the congregation but also in the larger community.

When you want to have a conversation about a current affinity group or would like to start a new group, please contact me oraann1@yahoo.com

—Ora Houston, Director of Congregational Involvement

E-Giving

Credit cards/debit cards and automatic draft now available on St. James' website!!!

We have added the capability to our website for the use of credit and debit cards and setting up automatic drafts from your bank accounts to the church accounts. When you go to our website, www. stjamesaus.org, you will see the "Egiving" link towards the lower left of the red pane in the middle of the page. Click on that link, and it will take you to a username and password screen. Here you can create your own username and password. Once you have done that it will take you to a screen which lists many possibilities. From this list you can select, "Go to my organization's E-giving donation page." There you will be shown the various funds you can donate to. There is one blank space to add in whatever fund you would like it to go to, such as Jazz at St. James', Trinity Center, Capital Campaign. This information, but not your card number, etc. is provided to us on a weekly basis and then we distribute it to the appropriate place and record it in your contributions summary.

You are given the option to do a one-time donation or set up a recurring one. For those interested in setting a set amount and forgetting about it, this option is a good one. Another way to do this is through your online banking, most online banking services can do the same thing; many people at St. James' do this already.

While we are very happy to provide this convenience to you we also strongly discourage using credit cards for amounts you cannot pay off in that month. Credit is a dangerous game in our society right now, please be careful with it! If you have technical questions contact our webmaster, Margaret Listberger. Please let her know of any problems you have with the e-giving site.

Housekeeping Corner

In an effort to cut down on verbal announcements, we are reminding the congregation about some of the guidelines: Please get all announcements to the Office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday so they can be included in the bulletin.

Electronic announcements are sent to Hugh Craig, for distribution on Thursdays. Please send your announcements to hcraig1136@aol.com by 5 p.m. each Wednesday.

Verbal announcements must be given at all four Sunday services. If the request is for the clergy to make the announcement, provide a copy prior to Sunday morning.

Please check with the interim Rector if you have exceptions.

OFFICE HOURS

During this interim period, the office hours at the church are: Monday through Friday 10 am to 2 p.m. Please try to think of your needs in advance and call during these hours. Of course, you are always welcome to leave a message on the answering machine. We will get back with you as soon as possible.

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT OR EXPENSE FUNDS

In order to facilitate and document expenditures for St. James’, the Senior Warden and the Church Treasurer have established the following procedure.

• Obtain a form from the Church Office.
• Fill out the form following the instructions contained in the first paragraph and return it to the Office.
• Forms submitted prior to Wednesday of each week will be considered for approval that week.
• Once approved, checks will be cut prior to the following Wednesday and distributed to the payee when approved for release by the church treasurer.

Please contact Senior Warden Simone Talma Flowers or Church Treasurer Ryan Parks with questions.

Introducing Visitors

Brothers and Sisters:

We have a reputation of being a very friendly congregation. And we are. We go out of our way to welcome visitors to our Church, to greet them and to introduce them to our congregation. That is why I find it personally disconcerting when someone visits our Church and has to introduce themselves.

I feel that as a congregation, we have fallen down on our responsibility to welcome strangers in our midst. I know that with a growing congregation it is sometimes difficult to know if someone is attending for the first time, or has been there before and we just haven't met them. (I have made that error on more than one occasion and it is a little embarrassing.) However, my method of dealing with this is to approach the person and simply say that I have never met them before and introduce myself. Usually, if they are visiting, they will volunteer that information. If they don't, it is comfortable to ask if this is their first time at St. James.'

If they are visiting, I explain to them that we like to introduce our guests to the congregation and ask if I can introduce them. Rarely do they object (although it does happen). I then ask them their names (usually writing it down. . . I suffer from short term CRS) and find out something about them. I also ask them to stand when I introduce them. I do this so everyone else in the congregation can see who they are and hopefully speak to them and express to them our sincere appreciation that they have taken the time to visit our Church. To me, this is simply common courtesy. I doubt that anyone in our congregation would have a visitor at their homes and not go out of their way to make sure that they are introduced and feel welcome. It should not be any different in our Church home.

I would also like to say that there are many members of our congregation who are very diligent in accomplishing this ministry and I would add that in all likelihood we each have different approaches and each seems to work. I would just like to urge each of us to be aware that this is a congregational ministry and hope that never again will a visitor come to St. James' and have to introduce themselves because no one made the small effort to meet them and introduce them to the rest of us.

Oh yes, I will also confess that I often do this during the Peace...

—Michael Murray

Odds & Ends

Parents Across Color, May 10, 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Christian Formation Meeting, Sunday, May 11 at 11:45 a.m.

Vestry Meeting, Sunday, May 18, 12:30 p.m.

Lay Ministry Heads and staff meeting, Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m., Founders Hall.

St. James’ School Board Meeting, Wednesday, May 28, 5:30 p.m., Seminary of the Southwest, Rather House.

St. James' is enrolled in the Randall's Good Neighbor Program.  St. James' earns a percentage of ever purchase you make at Randall's Food store when you use your Remarkable Card.  Link your card to account 4337 and each time you shop, the purchase price will record into our account.  We receive a percentage of the total recorded purchases quarterly.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Week of May 4–In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we give thanks for the Anglican Community Sunday.  We give thanks for all in our community and this week we give thanks for Benjamin and Georgina Abbatam, Felix, Linda, Jeffrey; Mary Lou Adams, William Seth Adams and Mary Donohue-Adams; Sundy and Beatrice Adeoye, Alex, Rachel; Lisa Alexander and Donte V. Daniel.

Week of May 11–In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we give thanks for The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem 7 the Middle East.  We give thanks for all in our community and this week we give thanks for Allison C. Allen; Theodora Anastaplo and David Westerberg; Jennie Anderson; Gayle Anglin; Margarita and Eric Arroyo, Isaiah; Karin Ascot; Charles and Christine Aubrey.

Week of May 18–In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we give thanks for the Anglican Church of Kenya.  We give thanks for all in our community and this week we give thanks for Lisa Ashcroft; Joan Assef; Vonette Austin-Wells; Jorge Avalos; Ben and Sally Backus; Kate Bailey; Stuart Bailey and Linda Fontaine.

Week of May 25–In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we give thanks for the Anglican Church of Korea.  We give thanks for all in our community and this week we give thanks for Carissa Baldwin; Patricia Banks-Bell, Rodney; Adriana Bardin-Prestwood; Leonardo and Tania Basurto, Saul, Sara; Dallas Baxter and Jerry Mitchell; Stephen and Emilie Becker, Isaac, Antonia.

And please remember in your prayers this month, St. James’ School, Round Rock Medical Center, Huston-Tillotson University, the Seminary of the Southwest and pray for our seminarians Lance and Jeff.  Pray for all in our armed forces, for those who mourn for the unemployed and for our enemies.

PRAYER

“An Outline of the Faith, commonly called the Catechism” found on pages 856-857 in the Book of Common Prayer describes seven forms of prayer. Listed below are those persons who have requested (or someone has requested on their behalf) intercessory prayer. Please pray for:

persons listed in your weekly bulletins:   Lucas Liston, Bob, Pat, Barie, Annie, Micheal, Liston family, Roger Ray, andrea strong & jaylen taylor, The family of Edward Adams, Sr., Ellen, Doris Finer, Holly, gloria adelai anthony benito bryan, Jeam Klemm, Billy Joiner (father of Susan Joiner), Families and workers at Eldorado and Charles Bland (Christy Nisbett's father).

Pray without ceasing for the Vestry and for the health, strength and spiritual growth of the St. James’ family. Prayer time is 9 a.m. Pray wherever you may be.

To God Be The Glory.

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy Holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve thy children: Look with pity upon the sorrow of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all those who have none to care for them or pray for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.