Weekly e-Epistle from St. James' Mill Creek

Weekly e-Epistle

from

St. James' Mill Creek

Wilmington, Delaware

April 30, 2023

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https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/

Sunday Bulletin (April 30th)

The image of the Lord as "shepherd" is one of the most enduring images in Scripture. Psalm 23 is one we have written on hearts, even if we can’t completely recite it. The idea of Jesus as “the Good Shepherd” is so memorable that I imagine if you were to close your eyes you could quickly call to mind such an image.

In this week's Gospel from John, Jesus uses a great deal of imagery dealing with being a shepherd and pastures and sheepgates. There may be a challenge in trying to clearly see through what he’s saying, but one thing that is clear is that he’s concerned with the “thief and the bandit” who try to sneak over the fence to harm or steal the sheep and the “stranger” who tries to lead the sheep astray.

This might seem like a scary image, but let’s remember that this chapter comes right after Jesus has healed the man born blind. We recall that the community was unsettled by Jesus’s healing of the man, so these words can be heard as both firm and comforting, a reminder to the Pharisees that Jesus is going to keep healing and that people will continue to hear his voice and will know the one who is calling to them.

In our own time there continue to be voices, “thieves and bandits and strangers”, that try to pull us away from the love of God, or make us think that we’re not worthy to receive it. When you hear these words, though, and remember the voice that calls you by name, please know that whatever the voices of the world may be saying to you, there is a place for you among pasture of Christ’s embrace.

Annual Meeting 2023 Recap

We held our Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 23, following the 9:30 AM service. There was a nice brunch hosted by our Vestry, and we heard a number of reports from different ministries in our parish. A copy of the Annual Meeting book is available in the office along with a copy of the Rector’s report if you’d like that. Congratulations to our incoming Vestry members to Carolyn Joynt (Senior Warden) and Jenny Vrana (Junior Warden) for their elections as wardens of the parish for this Vestry class.

Carol Bruno

Cathy Coppol (second term)

Jim Craig

Dave Perry

Jenny Vrana

Bingo Night Update

Due to the COVID outbreak at St. James’ it has been decided to postpone Bingo Night for a couple of weeks.

A new date is not yet confirmed. You will be notified as soon as a date is set.

Print a copy of flyer

From Kathy Jackson:

Bake Table at Flea Market

Sheron Hutcheson Is having a bake table for St. James . If anyone would like to help her at the table or bake anything for the bake table please call her or call Kathy Jackson at 302-690-3513.

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others

Reaching out to those in need

And serving them with dignity and respect…

New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.

What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running. Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance.

If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.

How can you help?

Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.

Current items needed:

Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
Tide pods or other laundry pods
NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
New books for adults and children

Please drop the items off:

· Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch

Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.

· On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.

We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.

Thank you,

St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry

Prayer Team Updates

The prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office at 302-994-1584, to individual members of the prayer team, or requests left in the prayer basket in the church foyer. We collect the prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world. They are compiled weekly and then these requests are lifted up in the daily prayers of the team members. All are welcome and encouraged to share their prayers.

For those who have an immediate prayer need, we invite you to email your prayer needs and request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675

St. James' Pastoral Care Team

St. James' Pastoral Care Team continues to support our parish family and our community.

If you or someone you know is in need, we:

· send cards, make phone calls, and pray with you and/or for you.

· Make home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits.

Please call the office (302-994-1584) and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Messages are retrieved daily, seven days a week.

Please let us know if you need us or someone you know needs us. We will not know if you do not tell us.

“Blessful” Meditations

We all know that life can be a little stressful and hectic sometimes. We hope that by reading this short bible passage and watching a relaxing video will help you take a moment and reflect on God’s gifts.