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Thursday, January 5, 2017
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 Greeting from the Dean
Dear Friends,
On Sunday
, we are keeping the great feast of the Epiphany-the day when we, in the western church, remember the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem, as set out in Matthew's gospel. It is the day which inspires the whole tradition of gift-giving at Christmas, as we recall the curious trio of presents which were offered to the infant Jesus. It is also the day when we are forced to come to terms with people who are not like us, for one of the many theological points contained in this well-known gospel story is that the Magi are "other"-they are gentile practitioners of a religion or thought-world very different to Jesus' native Judaism.
In an age when the West has become all too wary of "strange" people from Eastern lands, there is much to learn from the Epiphany, and it brings us much opportunity to open our eyes to the diversity of the world around us. For us at St. James, that is particularly true in terms of a new initiative which I am delighted we are taking, on the back of last year's Lenten fund-raising for Refugee One.
You'll see more below.
I wish you a blessed Epiphany in this gloriously diverse, divine world in which God has called us and created us.
Dominic Barrington
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Clergy Staffing the Next Two Weeks
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J. Brooks Davis Memorial Service
Saturday, January 7, 2017 | 2:00 p.m. | The Cathedral
Bishop Jeffrey Lee, presiding
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$6,500 Christmas Eve Offering goes to Bethlehem Orphanage
The collection at the Christmas Eve service was designated for the work of La Crèche in Bethlehem, the only Christian-run orphanage in the entire Palestinian territories. It is a ministry of the Daughters of Charity and looks after abandoned and neglected children. Its Christian ethos is of particular importance when caring for a sister and brother, who would otherwise be separated and brought up in single-sex establishments.
Thanks to the generosity of our Christmas Eve congregations, St. James Cathedral is able to donate $6,500 to La Crèche. The gift will be delivered personally by Dean Dominic Barrington and Sub-Dean Lisa Hackney-James when they are in the Holy Land next week. Thank you for your generosity.
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Cathedral to Raise Support for Refugee Family
$10,000 Goal by the Last Sunday of Epiphany
 Building on the relationship begun with Refugee One during last year's Lenten pence can drive, members of St. James Cathedral are joining together to co-sponsor a refugee family in need of practical help and friendship as they adjust to their new setting here in our city.
Led by parishioner Rachel Walt, in collaboration with the Young Adult and Wisdom groups, we are gathering other interested St. James individuals and groups who are excited for the opportunity to partner with Refugee One as a Co-Sponsor and Mentor Team in their important work of settling a family in their new home. The project of a St. James co-sponsorship has many opportunities for meaningful participation, from shopping for kitchen supplies, to after--school tutoring, to demonstrating how to use our public transportation. Co-sponsorship also has a financial component which will be met by donations raised outside of our cathedral budget. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by the Last Sunday of Epiphany (February 26).
At a time when so many in our congregation are asking what they can do in the face of the widespread human struggles we encounter, this project gives us a framework for collective effort that consists of both hands-on and more "upstream" work in a mission field that is both global and local.
As Christians, we are reminded by the author of Hebrews that "we must not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for in so doing, some have entertained angels unawares." We hope by the end of January to raise the volunteers and the funding to welcome a family by showing them the depth of God's hospitality.
All are welcome to join in this effort. Once we have a critical mass of support (volunteers and funding) gathered, we will receive information on our family.
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Cathedral Brunch and Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 29, 2017
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist | 11:45 a.m. Brunch & Annual Meeting
(No 8:00, 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. services this Sunday)
All members of St. James Cathedral are cordially invited and warmly encouraged to attend the Cathedral Brunch and Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 29. There will be just one service at 10:00 a.m., followed by brunch and the annual meeting at 11:45 a.m.
The Cathedral Nominating Committee is nominating the following candidates for election. Biographies will be posted next week.
Candidates for Cathedral Chapter
(3 three-year terms; 1 two-year term)
Mary Evans
Andrew Long
Stacy Sharpe
Jilliann Smith
Candidates for the Finance Commission
Craig Elder
Anya Kleymenova
Other nominations for Cathedral Chapter may be made by petition of ten or more qualified voters, submitted in writing, signed by the nominators, and delivered to the Dean no later than ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.
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Parish Retreat at the DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 3-5, 2017
Members of St. James Cathedral are warmly invited to spend the first weekend of February at the
DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin, in a retreat led by the Rev. Dr. Ann Hallisey on how to grow one's life of prayer.
From Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., Dr. Hallisey will gently guide those who join her in an experiential journey through different approaches to prayer, and discuss some of the issues which affect how we pray. There will also be acts of worship, times of silence, shared meals, and other times together.
This opportunity is not offered for "spiritual giants", but for anyone who simply wishes to gain more insight into how to be a prayerful follower of Christ. It will be a time of fellowship and reflection: an opportunity for a break from the busy-ness of everyday life and a context for real growth in discipleship.
The full cost of the retreat (two nights and six meals) is $195. However, the Dean and Chapter do not wish money to be a barrier for any member of the cathedral who would like to attend. Some scholarships will be available to facilitate this. Please speak to Dominic Barrington or Lisa Hackney-James if this is something you wish to explore.
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Easter Confirmations and Adult Baptisms
It may feel strange to speak of Easter as we gather to celebrate Epiphany, but I want to remind you that Easter falls on Sunday 16th April, and our celebration of it begins at the Great Vigil on the evening of
Saturday 15th, when Bishop Lee will preside over the most important liturgy of the entire year. Following the earliest Christian customs, at this service, we will offer again the opportunity for adults to be baptized and confirmed by the Bishop at this service. Preparation for this will take place during, and possibly slightly before the beginning of Lent. If you think God may be calling you towards this wonderful step of Christian discipleship, please let one of the clergy team know before the end of this month.
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Sunday Service Bulletins
Sunday Readings
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We pray for those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit, especially for
Sue Chappell,
Alice Horton,
John Antonio,
Evelyn Garrett, Anne Koehlinger, A.J., Lorraine VanLiere, Ruby, Donna Buck,
Carole Brawner,
Katherine,
Stephen Sinclair,
Grant and Connor, Gayle Victor, Candis and Eliza, Shelby Hobby, Kirstin Osgood, Jane Marineau, Jordan Hamilton, Mique Armato, Jane Hotchkiss, Mel Chang, Elsa Vainzettel, and for those whose hurts, burdens and fears go unspoken.
We pray f
or those who have died, especially Diane Margeson and
Wiletta Hefner.
We pray for those to be baptized, especially Frances Walker DeHaan.
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