From the Rectors:

Dear People of Saints James and Andrew,

It’s a new year, and you know what that means, right? Time to try something new! 

One of the things we cherish most about the community of Saints James and Andrew is our increasingly agile and adaptable nature. We believe it keeps us spiritually healthy and open to seeing where the Holy Spirit is moving in our community’s midst. Where will she call us next?

This year we will be offering our first hybrid Community Sunday & Annual Meeting on January 22 at 9 a.m. After two years of completely virtual meetings, the Vestry is excited to offer the community a hybrid format.  This means parishioners can choose to attend the meeting in-person or they can join the Zoom meeting using the login information below. 

The Vestry has changed the time of our meeting so it takes place before our Sunday morning worship. This is to allow volunteers serving at Sunday Soup and Sandwiches to attend much of the meeting and it means our morning together will culminate in community worship. We anticipate being able to transition into our worship at approximately 10:30 a.m. The theme of our worship will be a celebration of our community and we hope it will kick off a year of enlivening our faith (more details about that at the meeting!)

Please note a few housekeeping details about the Annual Meeting:

• Once again this year we will not print hard copies of the Annual Report, rather it will be made available on our website and in the January 19 Newsletter.  If you do not have access to a computer and need a printed copy, please contact the office. 

• The Vestry will be providing coffee and light refreshments by the choir loft stairs. They will also offer child care assistance in the Littles' Corner. 

• At the meeting we will have the opportunity to accept the minutes from last year’s meeting and annual reports; elect vestry members and delegation to diocesan convention; hear a presentation of the approved 2023 budget, updates on our property’s deferred maintenance and vestry priorities, and share a few pieces of exciting news. There will also be opportunity to ask questions and share concerns. 

• Those who attend in-person will vote with voice and raised hands, while those who attend the Zoom meeting will use their virtual ‘raised hand’ to vote. The digital ministry team will ensure any questions shared in the chat are raised at the meeting when appropriate.

• Please note the meeting will not be broadcast to our Facebook page, but our community worship following the meeting will be livestreamed as usual to that page.  

• Should we have bad weather scheduled for Sunday morning, or the CDC has labeled Franklin County in the red (see flexible mask policy) we will transition the meeting to a virtual Annual Meeting on Zoom using the same link information below. An email blast would go out to the parish by 7 a.m. on January 22 if that change needs to be made. 

We look forward to seeing you at Community Sunday and Annual Meeting. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have about the meeting. 

Peace,

Rev. Heather & Rev. Molly,

On behalf of SsJA Vestry

Want to join the annual meeting virtually?
Save this information:

Topic: SsJA Annual Meeting
Time: Jan 22, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83972400452?pwd=K09Qc3lNN3NTM1pMOE9JS3A0a0FKdz09

Meeting ID: 839 7240 0452
Passcode: 785270

Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Parish Life

Upcoming Events

January 8 at 10 a.m. - Blessing of Chalk and of Homes *NEW*
It has been a tradition in various Catholic churches to bless chalk at Epiphanytide and use the chalk for the blessing of homes for the New Year.  We will bless chalk for you to bless your home this Sunday in worship. 

January 8 at 11:15 a.m.  - Coffee & Conversation
Join us in the Whiteman Room after worship for fellowship. 

January 13 at 10 a.m. - Kitchen Deep Clean 
Our two feeding ministries, our recovering coffee hour, and the appeal of the facility to community renters all keep the kitchen busy and demonstrate how vital it is to the parish's mission and our greater community. We are looking for some volunteers with strong scrubbing hands, and maybe weak noses, to put the kitchen through a deep cleaning on Friday January 13th, from 10 to 2 PM. Cleaning supplies and lunch provided. Let Steve Hussey know if you are interested in helping at SsJAsexton@gmail.com.

January 15 at 11:30 a.m. - Great New Year's Resolution *NEW*
Read Bill Gates' How to Avoid a Climate Disaster and join a Green Team discussion on January 15, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. with a brown bag lunch. This book is widely available new and used. Read it all or just part of it.  Snacks available. Contact any of us with questions.

Announcements

Pledge Notice - Missions Offering *NEW*
On Sunday, January 8 we invite those whose finances allow, to consider making a special donation to our parish's mission and outreach efforts.  For those who use pledge envelopes, please use the ‘Missions Offering’ envelope; otherwise please donate on our website or by check, noting ‘Missions Offering’ in the memo line. Thank you for your faithful generosity.

Terrazza Gift Cards
Support Sunday Soup & Sandwiches *NEW*
Local restaurant, Terrazza at Country Club Greenfield, is sponsoring 10 meals at Sunday Soup & Sandwiches each week for a year!  They have chosen to do this by giving the church $1,300 in gift cards to their restaurant. Each gift card is worth $50. The church will sell these cards and 100% of the profit will go to Sunday Soup & Sandwiches.  If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact Kathy Maleno or the office. Checks made payable to SsJA with 'Terrazza - SSS' in the memo line. So far we have sold $550 of $1300.

Prayer Corner

Giving Gratitude

Beyond the Parish

Friendly Reminders