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7 from Kevin - June 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • June 6, 2023
- St. James is very fortunate and appreciative to have Reggie Hulsey be so instrumental in orchestrating the protection, disassembly, safe storage, & reassembly of the organ console, horizontal trumpet pipes, great division windchest (360 pipes), vertical pipes, and antiphonal pipes during the renovation of the Nave during the next few months.
- There's something brewing in the St. James kitchen besides coffee! Thanks to the dedication of our Kitchen Guild and the improvements that have been made to our kitchen space, there is a renewed commitment to keeping that space clean, organized, and functional. Serving on the Kitchen Guild is a great way to meet folks and an easy way to serve our faith community at St. James. Now that we are back in the kitchen, we look forward to forming several teams of folks who will serve on a rotating basis. Contact Carol Yates cyates0222@gmail.com for details.
- If you have been wondering what will become of the engraved brass plates that were affixed to the pews that have disappeared from the nave take comfort in knowing they are being respectfully cared for. They are currently in the custody of Jane Clift. Jane is lovingly polishing them for Troy Burns who will be mounting them on an oak panel salvaged from one of the old church modesty panels. When finished, the panel will be hung in a prominent place in the nave.
- Ordering and picking up food supplies from Sam's Club, (and Kroger) for our ministry groups requires great coordination on an almost weekly basis. A team which includes Mark & Susan Abell, Hoyt & Marilyn Canady, Patty Chase, Patricia Hammer, Kevin & Drew Jeske-Polyak, Nancy Pullen, and Mark Reddaway faithfully embrace this responsibility in serving the Doorstep, VMC Ministry Meals, Kitchen Guild, and Funeral Guild ministry groups.
- More than 250 names will be represented on the 2023 Centennial Quilt. Each will be hand embroidered by St. James volunteers donating their time and talent. The tedious process involves taking the signed pieces of fabric, selecting thread (usually two strands of embroidery thread), threading the needle, and using a selected stitch to trace each signature. When the pieces are finished, they are sewn to block colors. Thus far, the St. James volunteer quilters include Phyliss Muth, Elizabeth Young, Cynthia Thornburg, Kitty McNamara, Heather Glossup, and Bea Emory. If you are interested in helping, please contact Bea at beaemory@att.net.
- Daily maintenance of our building exterior and grounds requires great coordinated effort among our staff, volunteers and neighbors. This challenge has been increased recently with all of the dust and dirt being spread around during our renovations. Our breezeways and sidewalks are looking much cleaner now thanks to the help provided by neighbor Chad who performed some pressure washing this month.
- The
new altar in the Parish Hall was lovingly hand-crafted by Troy Burns using salvaged oak from the old pews in the Nave. The design is purposefully open and relatively lightweight, offering great versatility. After serving as our main altar during this summer, it will continue to be used for worship in various locations around the church.
Friends and Neighbors, We live in a world that bombards us with information. Here I am adding to the mix of ideas and thoughts coming your way. I am reminded of how Jesus often took time to go away to pray. Even without cell phones and constant news, Jesus and those around him were well aware of their world's contentious politics and problems. Jesus spoke to those problems and acted to meet the needs of people. He also empowered his followers to do the same things he did. Jesus took time to pray, teach, and be with folks at meals. Connecting with God and our community nurtures and feed us in the midst of all the demands on our attention.
Friends and Neighbors, We had a busy weekend at St. James. The weather finally allowed us to have our Ministry Marathon. It was a delight to see new and longtime parishioners meeting and sharing to learn about the many opportunities for ministry at St. James. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen. A special hat tip goes to Sharon Teets who gathered folks to plan and implement this event. I know that I learned more about our ministries and the people who make them a reality.
As ambassadors to the communities where they’ll perform, members of the Maryville College Concert Choir have a timely message for the 2025 Spring Choir Tour: “Times, They Are A-Changing,” but through music, connections can be made and unity can be achieved. The Concert Choir will begin its spring performance season with a 4 pm concert on Sunday, Feb 23, here at St. James.
One-to-One StorySharing is an intentional conversation between two people who share and receive each other’s stories of what matters most. It is a potent tool for forming community, deepening relationships, identifying gifts, healing brokenness and overcoming resistance; and building a relational culture. It is the basis for Episcopal Evangelism.
Friends and Neighbors, I hope you have your calendar marked for the St. James Ministry Marathon this Sunday, February 9. The event has been delayed by snow and ice, but this Sunday, you can learn more about the many opportunities for prayer, study, service, and community at St. James. This past Sunday was exciting as our Justice Ministry gathered to prepare us for a big turnout at our Nehemiah Action on April 8. You can learn more about that ministry and others this Sunday.
Friends and Neighbors, Thank you for celebrating with our folks who were baptized, confirmed, and received on Sunday. We all promised to support them in their faith. Supporting one another in following Christ is what we do. Your time, talent, and money help make that happen through St. James. I am excited about our Ministry Marathon coming up on February 9 where we can all learn about the many ways we serve and support.
Friends and Neighbors, What a week it has been. There was football, an inauguration, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We have also continued to experience very cold temperatures around here. Then we see that the Episcopal Church is in the news as a result of the sermon of The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde at the Service of Prayer for Our Nation at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Bishop Cole commends this sermon to all of us. I encourage you to read it HERE. I have seen many positive and a few negative responses to it. Bishop Budde stood and delivered the type of message that I hope you often hear at St. James. She called for mercy and compassion for vulnerable people. This is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us too.
Friends and Neighbors, Snow and ice caused us to postpone our Ministry Marathon until February 9. On that day you will find folks in different spots sharing about the various ministries here at St. James. This will be a good day to see the church, learn about ways to serve, and connect with friends old and new. You may be surprised at all the various opportunities to serve, pray, and study together.
Friends and Neighbors, Our church calendar has many feasts and fast days. These days remind us of the stories and faithful people they commemorate and encourage us to live our faith today. This Sunday is the first Sunday after the Epiphany and is the day we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. It is fitting that we are having our Ministry Marathon as we remember this event. Baptism is our initiation into the Body of Christ. All members of the body are empowered to serve as ministers. The Ministry Marathon can help us discern ways we can use our gifts in God's service.
Friends and Neighbors, A new year dawns and voices all around call us to make resolutions, be more productive, and to change our bodies. Sure, some good messages are there, but they often get covered with blame, shame, and exhaustion. I appreciate that a call to be a faithful follower of Christ isn't a call to be perfect. Following Christ is a journey. Sometimes we take a wrong turn or need to stop and rest. The metaphors of scripture and tradition speak of being made well, growth, bearing fruit, and death that leads to resurrection. Faith is an ongoing process in which God's grace is working in us.