If you’re confused or unsure about what Sunday worship services will be like this fall at St. James’ the following brief descriptions should help:

8:00 am Traditional Worship – this service is held in the church chapel and will continue to use the Book of Common Prayer service for Holy Eucharist (although we will omit those sentences that are "optional" from the service). We will read one scripture lesson in addition to the gospel and recite the appointed psalm for the day. For the Eucharist we will sometimes follow Rite I and sometimes Rite II. We will continue to sing traditional hymns from the 1982 Hymnal as we have for many years.

9:15 am "Child-friendly" Service – Please note that this 45 minute worship service is a "child-friendly" service, not a "children’s" service. It is worship that is geared to all ages. The music, lead by an intergenerational choir of 3rd graders through adults, will be a mixture of traditional, contemporary, and children’s hymns – truly "blended" music. Sometimes the sermon will be geared towards adults and sometimes towards children, 1st grade and up.

Childcare for infants through 3-year-olds will be available in the church nursery for those parents who do not wish to have their children in church with them. The nursery is located in the lower level (undercroft) of the church building.

A Children’s Chapel service for four and five-year-olds, conducted by Parke Brown, will be held concurrently with the 9:15 am service in the undercroft Children’s Chapel. These children will be brought to the church in time to receive communion with their parents.

Of course, children of any age are always welcome at any of our services.

11:00 am Traditional Worship – This worship service is basically a new time for what had been celebrated at 10:30 am in the past. The full liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer, Rite II, will be celebrated. This includes two scripture readings, a Psalm, and a Gospel proclamation with sermon. We will make more use of traditional hymns from the 1982 Hymnal than at the 9:15 am service, although we will also sing hymns occasionally from LEVAS (Lift Every Voice and Sing) and songs from the contemporary venue.

Childcare for infants through 3-year-olds will be available in the church nursery during the 11:00 am service.

6:00 pm Praise Service with Holy Eucharist – This service, which is held in the church chapel, will continue as it has since its inception in the fall of 2004. All the music is from a contemporary repertoire and is led by guitars and when available, other instruments. The "sermon" is usually an informal dialogue between preacher and congregation. The service of Holy Communion is a modified Rite II from the Book of Common Prayer. Dress is very casual.

New this year, we are offering a high school class during Building Connections, the 45-minute education time at 10:05 am on Sunday mornings. The class will follow the lectionary (schedule of readings) and will meet in the rector’s office. Don Mullins will lead the class with the help of Katie Judge.

The Credo Choir has begun rehearsals and you are invited to give singing a try! If the 9:15 am service is your service of choice we’re the choir for you! Join us for voice building, learning music of many styles, and help lead worship with your voice. Students, grades 3-12 (especially those previously in the Angel Choir) and any adult with or without musical experience are welcome! Rehearsals are Thursday evenings 7:15-8:00 pm. Contact Sara Josey or Newton Lewis with any questions. Hope to see you Thursday evening!

Sometimes we preachers relate biblical truths to current events such as the recent "Gulf oil spill" and maybe even to what I call the "Glenn Beck event" at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall August 28. All of us have thoughts about those events but usually do not have any way to express our questions and concerns in response.

When Cindy asked me to be the facilitator of the "Theology, Ethics, and Current Events" group that will be meeting in the parish hall library after the 9:15 am service this fall, I welcomed the opportunity to share that kind of time with you.

I’m a confessed news-aholic, and the blogs on the internet testify that there are many more people like me. But there has always been some hesitancy in relating religion to current events. However, according to Martin Marty, one of the most prominent interpreters of religion and culture today, while the place of institutional "religion" in the coverage of the media has diminished in the last couple of decades, the general subject of religion is second only to science as a topic of interest to the general public. And this is even more so in the 18-29 year old cohort!

That is true if we don’t separate "Current Events" and "Religion." How they relate to each other was one of the greatest discoveries I made in three years of seminary after four years of college study of economics and political science.

I learned what the full theological truth of the Incarnation is all about: "The Word was made flesh and dwells among us." God cares as much about oil spills as he does about our talk about religion. We are called to discover how that theological truth is related to ethics—which is the way we "do the truth" and clarify values in what is happening in our world.

Martin Marty is right when he says "there is no news that is not related to Religion." The trouble is that most news outlets inevitably get people listening to and hearing solely the news with which they agree.

Our objective, beginning on September 12, will be to create a public space of honest discourse where we can identify ourselves and the current-event issues that concern us. In that context, how can we work from that "safe place" for Reconciliation and make it abundantly clear that every human being counts?

We won’t be able to discuss all the current events and, depending on the interests of the group who comes to our sessions, we may or may not reflect on Glenn Beck’s event at the Lincoln Memorial or the unfinished response to the Oil Spill. But we will get to know each other better in an environment that inspires us to dig deeper and reflect more thoughtfully about what matters the most in this rapidly changing world of ours. Bring your friends with you!

Elton Smith

Location: Church Main Level, Flower Room

Have you ever wondered about the history of St. James’ or what all goes into running St. James’ and conducting each service? What do the front doors mean? What is the healing rail? These questions and much more will be answered during the Divine Secrets of Worshiping at St. James’. Everyone is invited to participate from the new to the long term members who want to learn more about our community. Guest speakers from our church community will be answering these questions and many more. During this series you can get to know other worshipers and learn about the history of St. James’. You will have the opportunity to meet St. James’ leadership and learn about parish governance and our many ministries. So what goes on behind the altar? What is a nave? Take a tour of the church and parish hall and learn more about the inner workings of the church. Learn more about many of the ministries from representatives. We will conclude with Cindy Baskin, the rector, guiding us through special services throughout the year and the liturgical calendar and colors.

Location: Parish Hall Lower Level (SJCS) Room 106

Our new assisting priest will lead a study of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church. We will be studying our present church in light of the church at Corinth. We’ll look at what we can make out of Paul's letter to better serve our present church (St. James’) and Christian churches in general.

Location: Parish Hall Lower Level (SJCS) Room 105

Based on NPR’s "Speaking of Faith" show, in this six-week session we will listen for about 10 minutes to a portion of the broadcast, then discuss our responses using the guide the show provides. From the discussion guide introduction: Raising a new human being is a monumental spiritual task… How to give children a sense of the sacred? How to pass on what has been meaningful to us and spare them from what has injured us? How to affirm the spirituality we recognize in them if we are skeptical of organized religion? How to give children consistent messages when there are differing views between mother and father, or between parents and grandparents? How to teach our children anything about God when we often feel less than certain ourselves?...Rabbi Sandy Sasso encourages us to begin with what we know, and to let our children lead us on a journey of questioning and learning."

Location: Church Lower Level, Children’s Chapel Room

Diapers and Devotion, or D&D, is a new group for parents with young children. D&D will primarily focus on the many ways in which God and our spiritual lives inform how we raise our young families—and vice versa. The group will also aim to provide a practical, intellectually stimulating, and welcoming social and spiritual support network for all interested. This fellowship group is led by three couples, each one of whom has a child under age two. At least initially, the group will follow a book club format, to include light reading assignments.

Location: Parish Hall Library

Participants each Sunday are asked to select a current "event of the day "and then move on to one or two values and issues related to that event. The opening session September 12 will be the example of the Gulf Oil Spill. How are issues around the value of connectedness shown by the response made to this event (priorities in earth stewardship, economics, political etc.) How does Sunday's Gospel relate to the event? (relationships, priorities of values etc.) Sessions are open to all each Sunday, but participants are urged to attend six sessions until October 17 and share ethical insights about news highlights during that period (see "Reflections" article on page 2 of this Pilgrim).

Our Sunday evening service, an informal, come-as-you-are service that features contemporary music and Holy Eucharist, continues this fall at 6:00 pm in the church chapel. We’re always anxious to have additional instrumentalists, especially a drummer and keyboard player, to assist with the music leadership. We would also like more singers. If you would like to help with this service, contact the rector, Cindy Baskin at 301-762-8040 or speak to her after services.

Join us every Sunday for refreshments and lively conversation! The church provides coffee, tea, lemonade and donuts all morning in the parish hall and also contributes additional light foods after the 10:05 am education time and after the 11:00 am service.

This new program, well received by parishioners, gives our generous volunteer hosts additional time for fellowship and provides consistency to the weekly selections of snacks. You are still welcome to bring some additional food for everyone's enjoyment. We are delighted to see some new faces along with the members that join in regularly. Stop by for a few minutes just to say "hello" or better yet, plan to stay awhile and enjoy meeting new members and renewing friendships.

Our fellowship basket donations need to cover the cost of the program. If you partake of the refreshments, please contribute as generously as you can. Come and share this blessed hospitality time with our St. James' family!

Cathy Nixon

Fellowship Commission

Sunday School will kick off with a new fall program on September 12 at 10:05 am in the church lower level (undercroft). Our Sunday School program has changed somewhat from past years; we have some new teachers, new families, and a new time! Classes will be held after the 9:15 am family-friendly service, beginning at 10:05 am and running until 10:50 am.

• Preschool children (2 and 3-year-olds) will learn about creation, holidays, and some simple familiar bible stories such as Noah and the Ark.

• Kindergarten children through 8th graders will follow the Living the Good News curriculum. This curriculum is based upon the gospel lessons used each week in worship. Classes include age-appropriate discussion, projects, and craft activities.

• Kingdom Kids, a program with puppets that tell a lesson, will be held four times this year, one per quarter (dates to be announced later). These puppet programs are written and performed by the middle school class. After the show there are projects for all age levels that enhance the lesson learned.

At 10:50 am when Sunday School classes conclude, all children ages 2 and up will be walked over to the parish hall for dismissal to their parents. Parents of nursery-age children should pick their children up in the undercroft nursery.

Please note: we are still looking for a person to partner with our current teacher for the 2nd/3rd grade Sunday School class. We also need volunteers for the preschool/Kindergarten class. Please email our Sunday School Director, Debbie Hokanson, if you can help. Thanks in advance for your help.

Parent Volunteers: Each classroom will have a volunteer sheet for parents to sign. This year we are looking for full participation by all parents. Please check your calendars and plan to sign up on the first day of Sunday School. There will also be a sign up sheet with other opportunities to volunteer in Sunday School throughout the year. We are in need of substitute teachers, helpers with Kingdom Kids programs, Christmas pageant volunteers, and people who will take home projects to prepare for the classrooms (including cutting out templates, addressing envelopes, sewing costumes, etc.).

Sunday School Registration: If you have not had a chance to send in your registration form, please bring it to the first class. The form can be had  here.

Sunday School Food Offerings: Each week we ask the students to bring in a food offering to add to the food baskets. We hope everyone will participate in this mission. Families coming to the 9:15 am service can drop food offerings in the baskets upstairs or bring these offerings to their Sunday School classrooms at 10:05. This is a great stewardship project for the children and helps them to be a part of helping others. The food is taken regularly to food pantries in the area that assist the homeless and others.

Nursery: Child care for infants through 3-year-olds will be available in the undercroft nursery from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm every Sunday. Please note that during the Christian Education hour, 2 ½- to 3-year-olds will have their own Sunday School class. Iran Kohen, our childcare provider, has been with us at St. James’ for many years.

Children’s Chapel for 4-5 Year-Olds: Children ages 4-5 are invited to participate in the Children’s Chapel service in the undercroft at 9:15 am. This special service for our younger children, ably conducted by Mr. Parke Brown, will run simultaneously with the 9:15 am worship service. The children will have their service and then be brought to the nave to join their families for communion.

Confirmation: Students in 8th grade and above are invited to attend the pre-confirmation class. This class will start in February 2011 and end with confirmation at the Washington Cathedral in May. Students will receive information in January for class times, location of the classroom, and name of the teacher. Please note all students participating in this class need to be baptized in order to be confirmed.

Annual Hay Ride: On Friday night, October 15, we will sponsor our annual hay ride and bonfire at Butler’s Orchard. This is an event for both children and adults. We meet at 6:00 pm at the Butler's general store and then go on a 30-minute hay ride. After the hay ride we meet back at a bonfire where we cook hot dogs and make s'mores for dessert. It is a fun night of fellowship so please sign up. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the undercroft.

As summer has come to an end, I would like to thank the people who came and helped in the summer Sunday School classes. The children’s sermons were attended by 4 to 7 students weekly. During this time they reread the gospel and had discussions about the text. John Miers and Steve Reckford each led a discussion and we thank them for their time and talents. Lois Van Nevel led the preschool group for the summer and Emily Roegner assisted; together they were awesome. David and Nazqul Mikosz volunteered and led the preschool class and were a great help when we were short staffed. Many thanks for your help this past summer.

Debbie Hokanson

Sunday School Director

Calling all youth in grades 6-12. It’s time once again for the annual classic. So, search the garage, basement, attic, or under your bed and find that favorite scooter that you’ve neglected for the last few years.

Bring it to youth group in the parish hall on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 6:00 pm for Scooter Night IV. Bring a friend as well, if you’d like. If you’ve been to scooter night before, you know you don’t want to miss this! If not, what are you waiting for???

After dinner, we’ll have scooter games galore, including scooter soccer, scooter polo, scooter relays, and the always popular: synchronized scooter competition!

See you there!

Ever had a fire in your house? Some of us have and it's not any fun. To learn fire prevention considerations pertinent to our wise and experienced age range, come to the October 5 [that's a Tuesday] meeting and lunch. You will hear Matt Keller from the Montgomery County Fire Safety Office give us a special presentation. Let Sarah Padgett or the office know so we can have the best lunch for $10.00 you can get anywhere. And the company? Outstanding! Come join us . . . and bring a friend or two.

Senior Luncheon Committee

Our congregation has been extraordinarily generous with its support for the people of Haiti following last January’s earthquake. During what may have seemed like a quiet period this summer, the Missions and Outreach Commission (M&O) and other interested parishioners have been exploring a partnership with a church and school in northern Haiti, possibly in collaboration with another parish already active there, taking advantage of contacts here and in Haiti. At a recent vestry meeting there was unanimous consensus that M&O proceed with developing a plan for such a partnership.

As we plan for a fall program to enrich our three pillars of discipleship—worship, Christian education, and service—Haiti is not far from our hearts and minds. Watch this space in a future publication of the Pilgrim for more information on what will happen and how you can help!

A big thank you to Don and Shelley Mullins for their hard work digging through rocks and pebbles to help install new lamps in the Memorial Garden. Now it’s beautifully lit up.

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on All Saints’ Sunday, November 7, at the 11:00 am service. Holy Baptism is that sacred rite in which we commit ourselves to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are incorporated into His body, the Church, and are adopted as children of God the Father. In the Episcopal Church we believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit is given by God so that all the baptized can grow up into the image of Christ and lead transformed lives.

Because we are entering into a covenant relationship with the Holy through Baptism, it is not something to be entered into lightly. Therefore, anyone seeking baptism for him/herself or a child is expected to participate in pre-baptismal instruction. Contact the rector as soon as possible to make known your desire and to arrange for this instruction.

Youth currently in the 8th grade or above can spend a life-changing week next summer (June 18-26) at the Hammond, IN, workcamp. There you will help repair (painting, weatherizing, and light carpentry) houses for those in need. You’ll earn 40 hours of community service and get to go to Cedar Point amusement park (Roller-Coaster Heaven) on the way home.

Cost is $200 plus participation in fund-raising events throughout the year. Come to a workcamp orientation meeting with your parent on Sunday, September 19, at 11:00 am in the parish hall Meeting Room to sign up. At the meeting, we will discuss camper obligations and fundraising ideas. Sign up forms and deposits can be turned in at the meeting or no later than the following week.

Both you and a parent must attend the meeting on September 19 for you to go on the trip.

For additional information call Don Mullins at 301-919-6864 and/or check our Web site for overviews of our previous trips: http://stjamespotomac.org/youth. 

The St. James’ Book Club resumes its monthly gatherings on Sunday, September 26 at 7:15 pm with a discussion of The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen.

A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Nouwen on a spiritual adventure, reflecting on this parable of Jesus. All are invited to join us as we discuss the challenge of this book: to love as the father and be loved as the son, the ultimate revelation of this powerful parable. The themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation will be newly discovered by all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy, or anger

Please RSVP to the rector at rector@stjamespotomac.org if you’re planning to attend. We will, as is our usual practice, order in pizza for those who wish. We gather in the parish hall Meeting Room.

Future Book Club selections include:

Oct. 24, 2010 The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle

Nov. 28, 2010 Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed by Philip Hallie

Dec., 2010 No Book Club

Jan. 30, 2011 Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Note: Please remember: if you plan to purchase any of our coming attractions, don’t forget to order through Amazon on the St. James’ Web site.

Don’t forget our new lineup of music options for participants of all ages. For the 9:15 am service we will be featuring the Credo Choir, an intergenerational choir under the direction of Sara Josey for 3rd-graders through adults. This provides a great opportunity to share music and worship with your kids. For the 11:00 am service, we will continue to have the adult St. James’ Singers, open to high school and above and directed by Newton Lewis. Both groups will perform a wide variety of music from Gospel to classical. The rehearsal times are Thursdays, starting September 2 at 7:15 - 8:00 pm for the Credo Choir, and 8:00 - 9:30 pm starting September 9 for the St. James’ Singers. From time to time for special occasions we will combine these choirs and create a Festival Choir. We also hope to grow small ad hoc groups; for example a men’s group that can sing occasionally and therefore rehearse occasionally to suit the schedule of participants.

We will also be opening another musical group for Ks-2nd grade under the direction of Mike Brown. This group will sing monthly at the 9:15 am service and will rehearse at 11:00-11:30 am on Sundays in the choir room starting September 12. We are also hoping to have another intergenerational opportunity with our bell group that will rehearse from 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm in the choir room, open to adults and teens also starting on September 12 and directed by Newton Lewis.

With the new schedule, and new opportunities, we hope to see lots of new faces this fall as well as familiar ones. For any questions regarding any musical group, you can contact the music director, Newton Lewis, at the church at 301-762-8040 or newton@stjamespotomac.org. 

Newton Lewis

Music Director

A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.

"Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."

The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

We have an exciting opportunity for the 9:15 am Forum beginning September 12. Our first course will be six sessions on "Embracing an Adult Faith" which has been described in the recent newsletters. At our first gathering, before we launch into the first session, we hope to enlist your ideas for future studies. The committee has some potential topics such as exploring relationships between religion and morality, or a book study on justice in the global economy, but we look forward to your ideas too. This forum is an ideal choice for those who attend the 8 am service and those who will need to prepare for the 11 o'clock choir or other ministry. We’ll meet in the parish hall Meeting Room.

Linda Ellis

Adult Forum Committee