Parish Announcements

Featured


Sunday Hospitality!
We are looking for hosts for our “Lemonade on the Steps”.
If you are able to do this, please talk with Melissa DiGloria or Joan Augusta who are coordinating our “Lemonade on the Steps” hospitality, or send us an e-mail with a date you can host:  stjames.clergy@verizon.net

Parish Summer Picnic
Save the date!  June 23rd is our Summer Picnic.  More information forthcoming.

Gardeners Wanted!
Summer is here and along with the joys of summer is lawn and garden care.  We are looking for volunteers to help one day a week with lawn and garden maintenance
beginning this week!  Please sign up today so we can plan!

If you are able to help a day or two, please contact us at stjames.clergy@verizon.net or call the office at 978-388-0030.
Pair up with a friend or another family!
More hands make for light work!

Talent Show
Our talent show was a great success!  The youth raised $305.00 and it was a full house with lots of fun and laughter.  Thank you all for helping make this year’s show such a success.
Special thanks go to Dave, Robin, Sue, Andy, Cheryl and James for donating their time and providing the dinner.  And, a very big special thanks to Jen Collins who coordinated the event!

Memorial Weekend
The Parish office will be closed on Monday, May 27th.  We will be open on Tuesday, May 28th and Thursday, May 30th.

Update:  Clergy Search Process
The executive committee of the Vestry will meet with our Diocesan Consultant, Carol Kingston, on Wednesday, May 29th to begin our Clergy Search process.  We will keep you informed in our weekly announcements and monthly newsletter.

From your Sr. Warden,
Jim Chapman

A Gift of Grace:  Gospel Concert
The Amesbury Union Church, 350 Main Street (across from the Merrimack River) is hosting a concert to benefit the capital needs of the Union Church.

The Gospel Concert is traditional and original, modern gospel music, spanning all generations.  Featuring 3 Choirs:  The Bullock Brothers, The Sons and The Emmanuel Choir.  A three generational musical family from the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Boston

June 1, 2013 * 7pm
Amesbury Union Church
Suggested donation is $20.00.  Seating is limited.
For more information call 978-388-0631.

Our Neighbors’ Table
During the months of May through July, we will be collecting Peanut Butter, canned Chicken/Tuna or healthy snacks such as popcorn, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, etc.  Personal items are always needed such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, powder, mouthwash, soap, shampoo, etc.

Samaritans of Merrimack Valley
Samaritans of Merrimack Valley is sponsoring a support group for families of military veterans.  The next group will meet on Thursday May 16th at 6:30 PM at Methuen Village, 4 Gleason Street, Methuen, MA 01844.  Please call 978-327-6646 for more information.

 

Youth Group Events

Featured

2013 – Events for our Youth Group.  All are invited to join in the fun.  For more information pertaining to dates/times or other questions, please contact our Christian Education Director, Jen Collins at stjames.christianed@verizon.net.

January 12th – Cosmic Bowling at Leo Super Bowl in Amesbury

February 9th – cancelled due to weather conditions.  Game Night & Potluck Dinner at St. James Amesbury, Parish Hall will be rescheduled.

February 12th – Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Supper) at St. James Amesbury, Parish Hall

March 30th – Lucy Love Bus Helicopter Egg Drop – Palooza – 4 to 5pm

April 5th  – 30 Hour Famine at Community of Hope in Newburyport, MA

May 4th 6-9pm – Talent Show Fundraiser (no talent needed, just have some fun) and pasta dinner fundraiser.  At St. James Amesbury, Parish Hall.

May (date TBD) – “Camp Give Back Day” at  Barbara C. Harris Camp.

May (TBD) – Meter Rock event.

June (date TBD) – Camping Trip to Pawtuckaway.

July Week 1 and 2 – Summer Camp at Barbara C. Harris

August (date TBD) – Movie night and Picnic.

 

 

 

 

Women of Faith

Featured

Women of Faith -Women of all ages are invited to join this monthly meeting of women interested in growing deeper in faith through Bible study and reflection.

The Women of Faith is on summer respite and will resume in September.  Watch for future announcements pertaining to days and times we will begin meeting.

If you have any questions regarding the Women of Faith, please contact the office at 978-388-0038 or via e-mail at stjames.clergy@verizon.net.

 

Men’s Group at St. James

Featured

The Men’s Group at St. James Episcopal Church in Amesbury meets each week to read aloud and discuss appointed selections in the Holy Bible and related resources. We learn about the circumstances of biblical events, their significance, and the people involved.

Currently the focus is upon appointed readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, which is the Protestant Christian Worship Schedule of Bible readings that takes into account daily services and the liturgical year’s observances of festivals and seasons.

At present our Saturday morning meetings involve the readings appointed for the following day’s church services. It is 9:00 AM that seems to work best for us. To study on a Saturday what will be delivered by lay readers during the next day’s Sunday’s worship services, then expanded upon selectively by the Reverend Dee Woodard in her homily, seems to us a fulfilling, triple-exposure learning sequence.

We encourage all men of St. James in Amesbury to join the group. You’ll like it! The customary meeting place is the St. James Parish’s Chandler Hall though lately we’ve hosted meetings at members’ homes. Call Arthur Yarranton at 978-346-4749 (arthuryarranton@yahoo.com) or Mort Gilbert at 978-388-3831 (mortgilbert@comcst.net), if transportation is needed or for further information pertaining to meet schedule. Regardless of location, morning beverages and baked treats are in the offing.

 

St. James Office Hours

Featured

Office hours normally are Monday and Tuesday from 10am – 3pm. however, it is best to call the office or send us an e-mail to schedule a convenient time.

The office will be closed on Monday holidays and will be opened on the following Wednesday.

To contact us, please send e-mail to stjames.clergy@verizon.net or call the office at 978-388-0030 and we will respond as soon as possible.

Christian Education for Children and Youth

St. James Episcopal Church, 120 Main Street, Amesbury, MA, Montessori – based Christian Education “Godly Play” program will begin on Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 10am.  Each Sunday your pre-school thru 4th grade child will learn about the Christian Faith and participate in fun and educational activities.

Our Pre-confirmation classes begin the same date and are for children in 5th to 8th grades.

Nursery Care is available from 9:30 until end of service.

If you are interested in Confirmation classes for grade 9 and up, please contact the church.

For additional information please check our website at www.stjamesamesbury.org or call the Parish Office at 978-388-0030.

What is Godly Play? Continue reading

Pre-Confirmation Lesson Plan 2012-2013

September 9:     First Class – Youth Meeting

September 16:   Lay Assistant Duty

September 23:   Class – Open House

September 30:   No Class – Jeanne Geiger Walk with Youth Group.

October 7:          No Class.  Celebration of St. Francis – Blessing of the Animals

October 14:        Lay Assistant Duty

October 21:       Class – Youth Meeting

October 28:        Class

November 4:      Class – Presenting Saint Lesson in Church

November 11:     Lay Assistant Duty

November 18:    Class with Youth Meeting

November 25:     No Class – Holiday Break

December 2:       Lay Assistant Duty

December 16:    Class with Pageant Rehearsal

December 23:    No Class – Holiday Break

December 24:    Christmas Pageant – 4PM Service

December 30:    No Class – Holiday Break

Godly Play – Christian Education Lesson Plan 2012-2013

September 9:    Circle of the Church

September 16:  Story of Moses

September 23:  Ten Best Ways

September 30:  Jeanne Geiger Walk Project (no class)

October 7:        Celebration of St. Francis – Blessing of the Animals

October 14:      Second Part of Creation “Falling Apart”

October 21:      The Great Family

October 28:      The Story of Daniel

November 4:     All Saints

November 11:   The Prophets

November 18:   Books of the Bible

November 25:   No Classes – Holiday

December 2:     Advent 1 and The Holy Family

December 9:     Advent 1, 2 and St. Nicholas

December 16:   Advent 1, 2, 3 & 4 with Christmas Pageant Practice

December 23:   No Class – Vacation Break

December 24:   Christmas Pageant in Church

December 30:   No Class – Vacation Break

January 6:          Epiphany

January 13:        Holy Baptism

January 20:        Parable of the Good Shepherd

January 27:        Parable of the Good Samaritan

February 3:        Parable of the Sower

February 10:      Parable of the Leaven

February 17:     No Godly Play Class – Holiday

February 24:     The Mystery of Easter & Crosses

March 3:           The Faces of Easter 1,2, & 3

March 10:         The Faces of Easter 4, 5, 6 & 7

March 17:         Jesus and the Twelve Disciples

March 24:         No Godly Play Class – Palm Sunday

March 31:         No Godly Play Class – Easter

April 7:              Parable of the Mustard Seed

April 14:           No Godly Play – Massachusetts School Break

April 21:           Good Shepherd and world Communion

April 28:           Circle of the Holy Eucharist

May 5:              Symbols of the Holy Eucharist

May 12:           No Godly Play – Celebration of Mother’s Day

May 19:            Mystery of Pentecost

May 26:            No Class – Holiday

June 2:            TBD

June 9:            TBD

June 16:          Story of Abraham

June 23:          Church Picnic – More details forthcoming.