March 26th, 2023

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.

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

The story of Ezekiel in the valley of the dry bones may make us hum to ourselves, “Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,” and, unless you really know which bones are connected to the other, whatever lyrics you add afterward may lead to a rather disturbing reconstruction of the human skeleton. That song, though, is one that comes from a long tradition of spirituals, songs composed and sung by people who had often been enslaved and who needed and wanted something to sing, to both pass the day and to needle their oppressors and enslavers.

This particular story is one that would have resonated with those singing this spiritual because it’s a story of a people displaced, the story of a people moved away from what was their home to somewhere far away, and there was little to no hope that existed for them. The story of the Lord taking the prophet to the valley, though, resonates because it reminds the one hearing the story that the way things are doesn’t necessarily mean that is the way things will always be.

The story is one of hope for those in the midst of suffering, and it’s reinterpreted and re-heard over time by communities that need to know that the Lord has something more in store for them. As the bones rattle and re-connect, Ezekiel knew it meant that Israel would be restored. As the enslaved people sung the spiritual, it was a prayer that their bondage would be loosed. As we hear this story this week, we wonder what parts of our world God will blow the Spirit of life into next.

Lenten Soup and Bread Thank You



Thank you to everyone who helped and participated at last week’s Lenten Soup and Bread lunch at St. Philip’s Lutheran. St. James’ was well-represented with both the musical offering and the soup and bread offering as we continued the longstanding tradition of joining with our fellow Mill Creek churches in marking the season of Lent. Thank you again to all of you for your offerings to this each year!

Easter Memorial Envelopes



Easter memorial envelopes are available in both the parish office and in the sanctuary of the church. If you are unable to pick one up and would like an envelope to make a memorial offering for Easter, please contact us and we will make sure you have one.

Please mark your calendars for a public nature program on Sunday afternoon, April 16 from 3-5 pm when St James' member, Dick Prettyman and his colleagues of White Clay Fly Fishers, will be the keynote speakers at the historic Hale Byrnes House.  

Some of you may remember the Boyce family who lived at Hale Byrnes House for 3 generations and are now buried at St James. This 18th century red brick house, now a state historic site is located immediately between White Clay Medical and Metroform Medical Centers on old Route 7, at 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, less than 2 miles southeast of St James. The White Clay, the Red Clay, and the Christiana Rivers merge in the back of the house.

$5 per person includes coffee & dessert. You may want to bring your lawn chairs--and possibly your fishing license! Well-behaved children are always welcomed at Hale Byrnes House. [http://www.halebyrnes.org/

An Evening of Fun and Fellowship

You are invited to

The 2023 Claudia White Memorial Bingo Night

Monday, April 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

St. James’ Episcopal Church Parish Hall

2106 St. James Church Road, Wilmington, DE 19808

A $10.00 donation is requested to go toward the

Claudia White Memorial Fund

There will be

Winner Prizes, Door Prizes, 50/50 Drawing, & Refreshments

In addition to the $10.00 donation, we request that you bring nonperishable food items to be donated to a local food bank. 

R.S.V.P. Nancy Patterson, (302) 239-7649 by Monday, April 17^th

It is important that you R.S.V.P. There is limited seating.

If you will be bringing quests, please let us know how many will be in your group.   

We will reserve space for your group, to ensure you all sit together.

Claudia White was Co-Chair of the St. James’ Bazaar for several years. She also organized the first Bingo Night. Claudia loved organizing and attending social events, especially if it was a fundraiser. After Claudia passed away in 2008, the Bazaar Ladies decided to continue Bingo Night in her memory. 

All proceeds are donated to the St. James’ Claudia White Memorial Fund. Repairs and renovations to the Parish House were very close to Claudia’s heart. All money raised is used to maintain the Parish House. 

The St. James Bazaar Ladies

St. James’ Family Promise Host Week Special Announcement 

April 9^th Host Week

We are looking for volunteers to provide dinner for our Family Promise guests the week of April 9^th. If you are interested, please let Dave Perry or Val Brunson know.  

Donations of money or gift cards to restaurants are always welcome. Money will be used to buy dinner or other supplies.

Return to Service!

While not going back to guests staying in our Parish House, we will return to serving them a family style dinner in the Nazareth Room at Jesus House. This will be a wonderful opportunity to interact with the families again. The Family Promise coordinators will be available to help you set up and get familiar with the new process. Please come to our information session on 3/12 for dinner instructions and to see pictures of the facility. Field trips are available.

If you can provide a meal, but cannot stay for dinner, let Val or Dave know and we will find someone to serve dinner for you.

Family Promise Information Session: 3/12/23 after Coffee Hour in the Parish House Great Hall for new and returning volunteers

Thank You

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. 

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.  

Proverbs 8:17

"I love those who love me; those who seek me will find me."

Prayer for the Fifth Sunday in Lent



Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/