Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware
January 2nd, 2022

We'd love for you to join us!

We would be pleased if you joined us in person or online from the comfort of your home for church services via Facebook Live at 9:30am.


Here is a PDF of this Sunday's bulletin for you to enjoy.
2022 - Christmas 2C
 
The visitation of the magi is a wonderful and mysterious vignette within Matthew’s gospel account of a moment that resonates with us many, many years later and that is actually never mentioned again within all of the Gospels. It’s about wise men from the East who have been studying the star charts, and they see a phenomena that matches up with some prophecy they’ve encountered somewhere along the way, and they can’t help but go and see what this sign must mean and who this child must be.
 
Sometimes what draws us to Jesus, or draws us to Church or even back to Church, is something we can’t pinpoint or explain. Other times, we’ve been looking for a sing, and when we observe the star at its rising, we get going as quickly as we can.
 
The story of the magi, and Herod’s response, reminds us that the revealing of God strikes different responses and reactions in different people. When we observe the rising star, whatever the rising star might be for us at a given time, I hope we respond with the same haste and curiosity as the wise men from the East. When we do, we may be surprised at what God is about to reveal to us.
Coffee Hour Hiatus
 
Because of the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in our community, the capacity of ICUs in our state, and the return to school after the holidays, our Coffee Hour will be on a brief hiatus. You’re welcome to visit with one another in the carriage circle following our Sunday service, and we’ll look forward to being back inside soon.


The Good Book Club at St. James’!
 
On January 6, the Good Book Club will begin reading the book of Exodus. The Good Book Club is an offering from Forward Movement and the Episcopal Church, and it offers us a simple way to encounter and engage with Scripture. On Sunday mornings following church, we’ll join together in the lounge to discuss what we’ve read and learned!
 
Sign up below for more information!
 

Monday Morning Bible Study - Beginning January 10 at 10:30 AM
 
Beginning Monday, January 10, we’ll meet in the lounge at 10:30 for a Lectionary Bible Study. We’ll look at the readings for the upcoming Sunday, and we’ll see what we can learn together and enjoy some fellowship. No sign-up necessary, but come as you are and bring a Bible with you!
 
Midweek Eucharist - Wednesdays at 10 AM
 
Beginning Wednesday, January 19, we will gather in the Church at 10 for a celebration of Holy Eucharist. This short, spoken service will often commemorate a feast day and will include a brief homily. We hope you’ll be able to join us!
St. James’ Family Promise Host Week Special Announcement 
 
Family Promise will continue to house families at the Hospitality Center at Jesus House to reduce exposure to volunteers and guests. Congregations are still needed to provide support in the form of evening meals, and other supplies, including breakfast and lunch.
 
January 16th Host Week -
We are looking for volunteers to provide dinner for our Family Promise guests the week of January 16th. There is currently one family of three. We will keep you updated if that changes. If you are interested, Dave Perry or Val Brunson know.  
 
Donations of money or gift cards to restaurants that deliver are always welcome. Money will either be used to buy dinner or other supplies.
 
Family Promise is also in immediate need of pots and pans (may be used), laundry baskets, cleaning buckets, and shower curtains.  Please let Val know if you would like to donate any of these items.                    
 
Thank you to our volunteers. You are the reason we are able to do this worthwhile ministry. Every family we support gets us that much closer to ending family homelessness. Thank you for all you do.
 
Dinner Delivery Details-
 
Location Details:

·        Families are staying at Cottage 1 at the Jesus House at 2501 Old Milltown Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808.
Meal Drop-off:
·        Meal delivery should occur between 5:30-6:30 PM. 
·        Families are expected to be at dinner on Sundays! Volunteers may choose to serve outside and utilize outdoor dining, or allow families to take meals inside. You can eat dinner with families only if they are eating outside, but that is your choice. There are picnic tables on the grounds. If you do not feel comfortable staying and eating, then feel free to just deliver food.
·        Meals no longer have to be separated by family. Meals and supplies are for the whole Cottage to share. You may absolutely set aside a meal for anyone missing dinner.
·        The families have use of the kitchenette in their cottage (refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, two burner cooktop, sink, coffee pot, dishes, utensils), but it is not a large area. 
·        The families will stagger their meal times to be able to distance. You will be serving Cottage 1. That is the one on the left as you’re facing them. 
·        Leave the food on the table outside and knock to let the families know the food is there. If no one answers, please call Val Brunson at 302-476-5067.  
 
Reaching out to those in need this holiday season

Adopt-a-grandparent and Adopt-a-family
 
Thank you for your amazing response to those in need and for making Christmas a little brighter for our Adopt-a-grandparents and Adopt-a-family. We were able to give a warm sweatshirt, warm bootie socks, a blessing cross, a huggy stuffed animal, and room decorations to each of our twenty residents of the Coral Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (formerly Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.) 
Our family received funding for their deposit for a new apartment and Christmas gifts: new coats, bedding, clothing, and sports equipment. 


Emmanuel Dining Room

Warm socks, gloves, and hats anything to help keep warm are needed for the winter season. 
 
While most of our guests are adults, we do serve children during the holiday season. So, all sizes are appreciated!  
 Items can be dropped off at the parish hall in the bin on the porch from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Or there will be a box in the entry to the church where you can drop off items.
 
Collected items will be given to our Emmanuel Dining Room guests on New Year’s Eve, December 31st along with their delicious lunch.
 
Questions-text or call Pat Minor 302-983-6299 or Cindy Fauerbach 302-584-8053
Thank you for considering this request.
 
With thanks and blessings,
St. James’ Mission Outreach team  
Serving those in need with dignity and respect…
 
We are grateful for your support that enables us to
serve lunch at the Emmanuel Dining Room
and provide clothing, food, and other items
needed by those being served at the Hope Center.
 
EMMANUEL DINING ROOM
Providing a daily lunch to those in need in Wilmington
 
Our next date for providing lunch for Emmanuel Dining Room will be Friday, December 31, 2021 and we continue to deliver our lunch items and extra bottles of water. We hope we will be able to serve our guests in the dining room sometime this spring. For now, we offer “take-away” lunches. We will be serving lasagna, green beans, fruit, cookies, and a bottle of water again this year. And we will distribute the socks, hats, gloves, etc. that are collected this month.
 
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 St. James' IS helping:
In the past month, we have provided over 30 coats and jackets, many other clothing items, snacks, toiletries, children's books and toys, diapers, laundry detergent, etc. 
 
The dedicated staff at Friendship House sends thanks and wishes for a blessed Christmas and new year to ALL!
 
Current items needed:
 
•      Gift cards - Target, Acme, Wawa
•          Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
•      NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
•          New or gently used t-shirts and light jackets
•          New books for adults and children
•      Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
•          Tide pods or other laundry pods
 
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.
·       We take the donations to Friendship House about every two weeks.
 
Thank you,
St. James' Outreach Ministry
Prayer Team

One Sunday of every month, the members of the prayer team hold a “virtual” ZOOM prayer service (focusing on the prayer requests shared by parishioners through calls or emails to the church office 994-1584 or to individual members of the prayer team.) We lift up these prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world.

Also, weekly we share the prayers and petitions that have been given to us and they are lifted in the daily prayers of the team members. All are welcome to provide their prayer requests and participate in these services.
 
For those who have an immediate prayer need or would like to receive the ZOOM codes and join the prayer team service, we invite you to email your prayer needs/requests to Cindy Fauerbach cindyfauerbach@verizon.net or call Cindy at
302-584-8053
 
NOTE: Our next ZOOM prayer team will be Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 at 5PM and include an evening prayer led by Gwen Gerety-Hayes.
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.
·    For now, in an abundance of caution, our home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits are on hold.
 
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.  

1 John 3:3

“And all who have this hope in him purify themselves even as he is pure.”
Prayer for Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.


Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit
https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/
COVID-19 Restrictions

 
Our firm desire is to worship our Lord in beauty, holiness, AND safety! Please be assured that the St. James' leadership team has worked hard to have meaningful worship while at the same time making our environment as safe as possible for everyone.
  • Church entry time will be 9:15 a.m.
  • Please sanitize hands before entering the church.
  • Face masks are mandatory. 
  • At communion, please wait until you are back in your seat to consume your wafer.
For Access to the News of the Diocesan Publications
St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

302.994.1584