2015 Christmas Letter

​Dear Family and Friends of St. James’ Episcopal Church,
 
Here it is the beginning of December, the first week of Advent, the beginning of the church year and the last month of the secular year.  The sun is shining and our nine inches of snow is long since melted.  The shortbread cookies fresh from the oven taste amazing!  There are no calories in Christmas cookies, right!
 
Advent is a time of waiting, a time of reflection, a time of preparation, a time to take note of the signs of the season.  A time to grieve the violence in our world, in Syria, Beirut and even our own town of Albion and a time to grieve those we lost this year, those who will not share the holiday season with us; fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and dear friends. 
 
Advent is a time to dream and to hope.  A time to lift our eyes to higher things, to see the world as God might see it, a place of promise, a place where neighbors look out for each other, a place where refugees are welcomed and better yet a world with no refugees, a place where no one goes to bed hungry or wonders when they will have their next meal, a world where fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, milk and water are readily available to all people, a place where boys and girls can go to school without fear of retaliation, bullying or hatred, a place where we feel loved and cared for.
 
As we come to the end of our year of celebrating our 175th anniversary, we reflect on where we have been, who St. James’ was in the past and dream of who God is calling us to be in our future.  As we rose from the ashes of the 2007 fire and completed the rebuild of our beautiful building, now we turn our attention to the community in which we find ourselves.  We throw open our red doors and walk boldly out into the heart of our city.  Whom will we meet?  What will we see?  What will we hear?  What will we say?  May we bring hope and peace and joy to those we meet.  May we meet Jesus on the street and recognize him.  May we share the Good News of a God who loves his creation so much that God would come down into our world to live, laugh, cry and die as one of us.  As we hang our colored lights and wrap gifts and plan the perfect family meal, may we feel the presence of the God who loves us and walks amongst us.  I wish you a very merry Christmas full of peace and joy and a New Year full of hope and amazing dreams.
 
Love,
Mother Darlene+

​Christmas Worship Services
 
december 24, 2015, 5:30 pm        christmas eve
Holy Eucharist Rite II with Christmas Story
 
December 27, 2015, 9:30 am       Christmas I
Christmas Lessons & Carols
 
December 28, 2015, 9:00 AM
Morning prayer in chapel
 
January 1, 2016, 1-4 pm
rectory open house (311 irwin avenue)
 
January 3, 2016, 9:30 am                 Christmas II
Holy Eucharist Rite ii
 
January 4, 2016, 9:00 AM
Morning prayer in chapel
 
january 10, 2016, 9:30am     epiphany i
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
holy eucharist rite ii
with renewal of baptismal vows
 
january 11, 2016, 9:00 AM
Morning prayer in chapel
 
January 17, 2016, 9:30 am
holy eucharist rite ii
 
january 18, 2016, 9:00 AM
Morning prayer in chapel
 
January 24, 2016, 9:30 am
holy eucharist rite ii
annual meeting
 
january 25, 2016, 9:00 AM
Morning prayer in chapel