Saturday, Oct. 28

8:30 a.m. | Habitat Blitz Build at Dodd Meadows Community Center (28 Hofer Ct, East Flat Rock, NC 28726)

Sunday, Oct. 29

8:00 a.m. | Spoken Holy Eucharist Rite I in the Nave

9:00 a.m. | Adult Formation Hour in the Trinity Room

10:00 a.m. | Sunday School for Children in the Atrium

10:15 a.m. | Holy Eucharist Rite II with Allelu! in the Nave; Followed by Commitment Sunday Brunch in Stillwell Hall

5:00 p.m. | All Hallows Eve Eucharist and Blessing of the Costumes in the Nave; Followed by s’mores in the Bell Tower Courtyard

Monday, Oct. 30

8:30 a.m. | Monday Morning Prayer in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, Oct. 31

Noon | Halloween Trunk-or-Treat in the Thursday Thrift Shop parking lot

Wednesday, Nov. 1

9:30 a.m. | Yoga in the Trinity Room

Noon | Healing Prayer and Holy Eucharist in the Chapel

Join us for our special Commitment Sunday celebration on Oct. 29 and give thanks for your gifts that sustain the mission and ministry of St. James. After our 10:15 a.m. Eucharist, we will gather in the parish hall for a stewardship brunch. If you've already returned your commitment card, thank you! If you haven't yet sent in your commitment card, click the button below to pledge.

For the past several weeks, we have reflected on all the ways God has truly blessed our parish abundantly. You can revisit all our stewardship reflections from fellow parishioners about the ways God is working in their lives and at St. James at our website by clicking the button below.

Get texts from St. James! We're trying a new communication tool called Remind. Receive brief texts for important events and updates from St. James. Simply use your cell phone to text the code "@f368b89" to the number 81010. You should receive no more than 1 text a week. 

The funeral service for the Rev. Dr. Carol J. Jablonski will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at The Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville (9 Swan St, Asheville, NC 28803). A reception will follow in Zabriskie Hall. Carol+ was our interim rector just a few years ago and helped lead us in the early days of the pandemic. For those who would like to watch the service, it will be live-streamed on The Cathedral of All Souls YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/zLSSgniepPQ?si=1nkYE_Ta_CJveh9-

All Hallows' Eve and Blessing of the Costumes and S'mores on Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. Did you know we have an official service for All Hallows' Eve? Join us by candlelight for this special service. This family-friendly service will include a procession and blessing of the costumes. Please dress in your Halloween best (nonviolent costumes only, please) for the blessing. Stick around after the service to enjoy s'mores and a fire pit in the Bell Tower Courtyard!

All Saints Sunday is Nov. 5 at St. James. We are gathering the names of all in our parish family who have died in the past year to include in the bulletin. If you have had a close family member who is not a member of St. James die since November 2023 and you would like them to be included, please email David+ with their full name. There is a firm deadline of Tuesday, Oct. 31 at noon.

Four hands at the Piano Recital on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.

Pianists Lee Burkett and Leonidas Lagrimas will perform a recital of piano duet works by composers including Schubert, Husa, and Kapustin. Plan now to attend this unique and unusual musical offering! They will be playing our beautiful Kawai baby grand piano in the Church.

Gluten-free wafers are available during communion for those with celiac disease or medical issues. You may request this gluten-free option at communion from the priest. 

Exploring St. James Endowments and Our Future Financial and Ministry Health, Sunday, Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. in the Trinity Room. Join us as members of the Vestry and the Endowment Board give an update on various endowment grants and how they are awarded. Did you know we have multiple endowments funding various activities at our parish, from St. James Charities to the St. James Endowment and more!

Join us on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5960851208 

Understanding the War in the Holy Land with the Rev. Canon John Peterson on Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. Our very own John Peterson, who has extensive knowledge and experience in the global Anglican communion and in the Holy Land, will lead a special Adult Formation hour to help us make sense of the unsettling events in the Holy Land against the complex and often confusing history of the region.

Autumn Outdoor Labyrinth Walk and Eucharist, Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Broenner Home, 155 Warren Lane.

Experience the ancient prayer practice of walking the labyrinth, a special form of embodied prayer that dates back some 4,000 years. The labyrinth will be open to walk beginning at 10:30 a.m. with an optional program from 1 to 2:30 p.m., followed by time to walk the labyrinth or spend time in prayer outdoors and ending with Eucharist on the grounds at around 3:30 p.m. Reaching the labyrinth requires walking down a relatively steep hill and may pose issues for those with mobility needs. An indoor labyrinth walk is currently being planned for Holy Week. 

St. James Players is seeking a male or female actor for the sermon drama Nativity on the Square to be presented on December 31 at the 10:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. services. This person is between 20 and 40 years old or can act like it! Experience is helpful but not required. Contact Philip Wiehe at pfwiehe@gmail.com or 530-575-7420 by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Common Ground: our next Sunday evening dinner gathering open to all will be Sunday, Nov. 12 at 6:15 p.m. at Southern Appalachian Brewery (SAB)! Join us for a fun, casual monthly gathering (perhaps while kids are in EYC if you have kids) on Sunday evening at Southern App for tasty local brews, food truck fare, and getting to know each other around an activity. Garage BBQ Food Truck will be on-site. No need to RSVP. Email Ann Broenner at annlbroenner@gmail.com for more info.

Yoga will take place on Wednesdays, November 1, 15, 22, and 29 at 9:30 a.m. in the Trinity Room. Participants need to arrive 10 minutes early and be ready to begin promptly. Individuals who might have come to chair yoga are welcome and we will adapt poses into chair versions. Contact the instructor, Dianne Hunter, for any questions. Register online by clicking the link in the ebulletin. 

Are you or someone you know interested in serving on the Vestry? The Nominating Committee of the Vestry is seeking recommendations of St. James members who are qualified to stand for nomination to the 2024-2027 Class of the Vestry. By-Laws state that candidates must be confirmed, a communicant in good standing, a member for at least one year and one who pledges. To make recommendations, contact one of the Nominating Committee members:

Jan Shefter, jshefter@gmail.com; Elizabeth Henry, elizbuth@aol.com; Randy Hunter, randy.hunter@hunterautogroup.com; Tom Marshall, kyoshimarshall5@gmail.com;

Stacy Hill, slaynehill@yahoo.com; or Ann Lentini-Bronner, annlbroenner@gmail.com.

Help support our friends at the Church of the Advocate in Asheville by donating hygiene products. Now through Nov. 5, we will be collecting items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and other hair products, feminine hygiene products, and deodorant. Items can be placed in the bins in the Narthex or in the box by the reception area. Your donation will make a difference in the lives of individuals who are in need in our community.

Blessings in Boxes Intake Volunteers needed! This remarkable opportunity allows you to join a community of dedicated individuals who generously devote their time to connect with local families and provide essential support. Blessings in Boxes is a partnership between The Storehouse and local elementary schools in Henderson County to identify families that need assistance at Christmas. Visit https://bit.ly/3RTRF2q to sign up or contact Sarah Carpenter at sarahbennettgibbs@gmail.com for more info.

Watch this video to learn more about Blessings in Boxes.

Stewardship Tip from the Creation Care Ministry: If you have enough space, consider air drying at least some of your clothing to conserve energy. Sunshine is a natural deodorizer, clothes last longer, and your power bill might be lower! If it adds a little time to your laundry, transform you're laundry hanging into intentional prayer, perhaps with this prayer adapted from the BCP:

O gracious Father, who opens your hand and fills all things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let your Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show your loving-kindness, that the land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what you give, so that all people everywhere may give you thanks and share in your bounty; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Save the date: Mario Kart Tournament with Prizes! Sunday, November 12 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall! (Parents: Join the Common Ground group at the same time.)

Sign up NOW for our High School Retreat from November 17–19 at Camp Henry for high school youth that focuses on faith and community.

www.diocesewnc.org/events-1/high-school-fall-retreat 

Please register by November 6. Contact Christoph for more information: christoph@stjamesepiscopal.com

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sunday School is offered every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Atrium by the Trinity Room for ages 2 through 5th grade. Children will return to the church during the Peace.

Tired of Emails? Youth and Parents Can Stay Connected with St. James via text! Join our Remind account by texting @2fhfhb2 to 81010. We will post upcoming events, photos, and reminders here and all will go directly to your phone.

Thanks to all who came and participated in the Parish Ministry Fair and the Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday, Oct. 8. We are excited to share these fun and adorable photos with you from these events.

Special thanks to Bob Coffey and Diane King for these photos!

View photos of the Ministry Fair

View photos of the Blessing of the Animals

Fall & Winter Programs Brochure Available! Be in the know every week! Pick up our hot-off-the-press formation brochure today and mark your calendars for events and gatherings for all ages.

To ensure that you receive St. James emails in your inbox, please add office@stjamesepiscopal.com to your contact list. If you have issues getting our weekly emails, call Mindy at (828) 693-7458 or email mindy@stjamesepiscopal.com.