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.
