Thank You Mark! We will miss you.

The Reverend Dr. Mark Cooper, Associate Rector for Small Groups, is retiring from his work at St. James’s at the end of 2020. Mark led groups like SelfStarters and Sacred Ground, and
was active in our Jazz Mass services, not to mention a gifted preacher who brought the word of God alive in our worship services. 

Mark plans to return to his work as a writer while working on deepening his work in meditation and mindfulness training. He also is embarking on an entirely different sort of adventure, as he and Melinda Parker were married at St. James’s on December 30. 

Mark is eager to stay in contact with everyone at St. James’s. You can contact him personally 703-980-0130 or markcooper1966@gmail.com. He has also invited everyone to follow his blog at markcooperauthor.com. 
Worship This Sunday
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Second Sunday after Christmas
Bible Readings
  • Psalm 84:1-8
  • Jeremiah 31:7-14
  • Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Online Fellowship This Sunday

  • 9:30 a.m. - Casual Zoom Coffee Chat Join for weekly catch up & connection.

  • 11:00 a.m. - Adult Education Zoom
Workshop w/Jerusalem Greer
Wed. Night Fellowship & Study

Wednesday Night Fellowship & Study returns on January 13th. We will be having a Town Hall Meeting - an opportunity to hear from and talk with John McCard and our wardens.
Fellowship: 6:00 - 6:30 pm
Classes: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Adult Forum: Jan. 3rd, 11:00 am via Zoom

Big Fun Epiphany-at-Home Workshop w/ Jerusalem Greer
Wondering what to do now that Christmas is over? Never fear! Epiphany is *almost* here! You’re invited to join Jerusalem Greer, lay minister and author of 
A Homemade Year, for an hour of festive Epiphany traditions and crafts, in preparation for Twelfth Night and Epiphany. We’ll even make Paper Bag Stars and Crown Cakes alongside Jerusalem! Learn more about Jerusalem click here.

For a list of what to bring, register by January 2nd, here!

Upcoming Happenings ....
Mental Health Care:
Coping with Stress During
This Season and Beyond
Every Thursday in Jan., 11:30 am to 12:15 pm
If the effects of the pandemic are taking a toll on you, you're not alone, "Mental Health and Care" is a faithful and thoughtful four-part webinar series from Amplify Media. The host, Justin Coleman, along with therapeutic and pastoral panelists will tell the truth about the difficulties of life in these times and offer tips from their own experiences. 
 
You're invited to watch the series, then join the Revs. Ray & Laura Inscoe Thursdays at lunchtime in January for a discussion of each episode. Read more and watch the series here.

Register for the discussion group here by Monday, January 4th, click here.
Dismantling Racism: A Youth Curriculum
January - March 2021
The Episcopal Church has developed a Christian formation program specifically for youth called Dismantling Racism: A Youth Curriculum.

Our very own Mary Beth Abplanalp is now certified to teach this 6-session curriculum designed to help middle and high school youth and their parents have conversations about race, become allies, and build relationships to address systemic racism in their context. The goal is to help youth connect their faith with racial healing in our communities.

The sign-up deadline is January 3rd. Get all the details and register here.
St. James's Church Virtual School
Reopens January 4th
Our Virtual School reopens Monday, January 4th and you can join in.

On Mondays – Thursdays, middle and high school virtual learners are welcome at church while they attend their online classes with the company of friends, adult supervision, and social distancing. Get a glimpse of how amazing this program is by clicking here.

To see Virtual School pictures, posts and more, go to
St. James's Youth Ministry Facebook .
In Gratitude for Your Gifts
Looking back on this extraordinary year, the faith and generosity of our church has been inspirational. Theologian and monk Henri Nouwen writes eloquently about our many acts of generosity:

“As people of faith, we are called to give, and give generously, not because we are rich, not because we have our lives together, not because we are better than other people, not because we enjoy it, but because of what God has done for us. We give as a response to the multitude of ways that God has come down to us in love. We give to live out God’s call to use all that God has entrusted to our care to love God and our neighbor.” 

Thank you.
Do you have our App?
Make sure to check out the new updates on our App. On the App, You will find tools like giving, streaming, and the bulletins. It is highly recommended to use the app as an alternative to paper bulletins.
St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779