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Steeple Notes ~ April 2017Steeple Notes ~ April 2017Steeple Notes ~ April 2017Steeple Notes ~ April 2017 Newsletter for the families and friendsNewsletter for the families and friendsNewsletter for the families and friendsNewsletter for the families and friends

of St. James’ Episcopal Churchof St. James’ Episcopal Churchof St. James’ Episcopal Churchof St. James’ Episcopal Church The Rev. John W. Symonds, RectorThe Rev. John W. Symonds, RectorThe Rev. John W. Symonds, RectorThe Rev. John W. Symonds, Rector

The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Bishop

I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, * because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. ~ Psalm 116:1

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, April 9The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, April 9The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, April 9The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, April 9

7:45am Holy Eucharist, Rite I

9:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Contemporary Nursery care during the 9am and 11am service

10:00am Fellowship, Coffee Hour in Bartholomew Hall

11:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Traditional

Wednesday, April 12Wednesday, April 12Wednesday, April 12Wednesday, April 12

7am Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist

Maundy Thursday, April 13Maundy Thursday, April 13Maundy Thursday, April 13Maundy Thursday, April 13

7:30pm - Holy Eucharist Rite II with Foot Washing

Good Friday, April 14Good Friday, April 14Good Friday, April 14Good Friday, April 14

Community Good Friday Worship: Community Good Friday Worship: Community Good Friday Worship: Community Good Friday Worship:

Noontime Service at Downingtown United Methodist Church

7:30pm Good Friday Liturgy at St. James’ Church

The Great Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 15The Great Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 15The Great Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 15The Great Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 15

7:30pm Easter Vigil and Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Traditional

Easter Day, April 16Easter Day, April 16Easter Day, April 16Easter Day, April 16

7:45am Holy Eucharist, Rite I

9:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Contemporary Nursery care during the 9am and 11am service

10:00am Fellowship and Coffee Hour in Bartholomew Hall

11:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Traditional

LET’S

TAKE A

CRUISE

St. James’

Annual Auc�on

Saturday

April 29, 2017

Join us for an evening of

fundraising, food and fun.

Doors Open 5:30 p.m.

Silent Auc'on 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Buffet Dinner 6:30 p.m.

Live Auc'on 7:00 p.m.

Open Bar All Evening

Wine & So/ Drinks

Cost is $30 per person

Auc'oneer Mike Kendig joins

us this year to conduct both the

live and silent auc'ons.

Up for bid are beau'ful works of art,

vaca'ons, spor'ng events and

ou'ngs, home décor, dinners,

themed baskets, and much more!

Proceeds from your par'cipa'on in the auc-

'on support our growing youth

program and our many

2

APRIL OUTREACHAPRIL OUTREACHAPRIL OUTREACHAPRIL OUTREACH

Almsgiving this Lenten Season...Almsgiving this Lenten Season...Almsgiving this Lenten Season...Almsgiving this Lenten Season...

Benefits Birthright of CoatesvilleBenefits Birthright of CoatesvilleBenefits Birthright of CoatesvilleBenefits Birthright of Coatesville

�Pick up a baby bottle on Sunday to fill with currency during Lent AND/OR

�Bring a baby shower gift to coffee hour April 23rd

Need help thinking of a gift?… Grab a gift tag on Sunday

Your acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after your sharing.

~ Jalaluddin Rumi, 1207 - 1273

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HOST COFFEE HOUR

Contact our Coffee Hour Coordinator, Diane Brown at [email protected] with questions and for more information

As host of coffee hour, you need to bring half & half and any of these suggested goodies: crackers, pretzels, cheese, fruit, cookies, baked goods, mini bagels, donuts. You also need to set up, make the coffee and clean up. Pair up with a co-host and split the duties!

Signup sheet is on the bulletin board in the hallway

The clean-up for March 25 was postponed due to snowy roadsides. The new date for the clean-up will be Sat. April 8th. Hopefully winter will have decided to end before then so we can have some snow free road-sides. April 8th is the weekend of Palm Sunday so there will be NO rain date for this event. If the weather is unfavorable we will skip it and move

to the second scheduled clean-up date of May 20th. I do not have any scheduled presently for the summer. The Fall clean-up is to be Sept. 9th and the final date Nov. 4th. Unfortunately if we skip the first one we will have to add another in at some point as Penn DOT requires 4 clean-ups per year as stated in our contract with them. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good weather April 8th from 9-11 am for our first adopt-a-hwy clean-up!

Rite II Morning Prayer with Holy Eucharist Rite II Morning Prayer with Holy Eucharist Rite II Morning Prayer with Holy Eucharist Rite II Morning Prayer with Holy Eucharist Liturgy of the Word Officiated by the People and

Communion Celebrated by Fr. John Symonds

Wednesdays, 7:00 a.m.

April 5th and 12th

All Are Welcome!

3

BOOK CLUB NEWS

The Book Club meets on the third Friday of each month at the Downingtown County Club. Below is a list of upcoming meeting dates and books the group will be reading. Contact Peggy Leister for more information about the book club at [email protected].

April 21 - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize, The Age of Innocence is Edith Wharton’s masterful portrait of desire and betray-al during the sumptuous Golden Age of Old New York, a time when society people “dreaded scandal more than disease.”

May 19 - Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of the Mona Lisa by R. A. Scotti On August 21, 1911, Leonardo da Vinci’s most celebrated painting vanished from the Louvre. The prime suspects were as shocking as the crime: Pablo Picasso and Guillaume Apollinaire, young provocateurs of a new art. The sensational disappearing act captured the world’s imagination. Crowds stood in line to view the empty space on the museum wall. Thousands more waited, as concerned as if Mona Lisa were a missing person, for news of the lost painting. Almost a century later, questions still linger: Who really pinched Mona Lisa, and why? Part love story, part mystery, Vanished Smile reopens the puzzling case that transformed a Renaissance portrait into the most enduring icon of all time.

BON VOYAGE! Volunteer Opportunities and Donations for Auction

There’s nothing like walking into your stateroom before your cruise ship casts off and seeing a beautiful gift basket, filled with fruit, wine and other delicacies. But did you ever wonder who makes these baskets?

Here’s your chance to find out, and help the auction. If you are thinking of donating items, this is the time. It’s also the time to bring in any baskets you have around the house. And it is the time to sign up to fill and wrap the baskets! There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board, and you can even pick the hours you want to “stand watch”.

This is also a good time to give some thought to donations. A lot of our parishioners ask me, “What can I donate?”. The answer is, just about anything (well, anything

but furniture!). Do you have a skill? Anyone who has enjoyed Ken Leister’s beautiful wooden bowls (and perfect bluebird houses) or Mandy Watson’s focaccia (or who remembers Barb Conner’s pies) knows that there is a lot of talent at St. James’ and it can all be used for a good cause.

And then there’s always “stuff”. The painting you no longer have a place for; the silver tray that doesn’t quite “go” anymore; remember, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!”. And if you have already downsized and are pressed for time, there’s always gift cards. Few merchants in the western hemi-sphere don’t offer gift cards, so a card for a dinner out or a kitchen appliance is always welcome. And one more thing . . .

Decorating volunteers will get together to transform Bartholomew Hall April 26 and—you guessed it—there’s a signup sheet for that too!

Finally, make sure to mark your calendars for April 29 and come at 5:30 to begin an evening of fine ap-petizers, a sit-down dinner, superb desserts, and most of all a chance to share with your fellow parish-ioners an evening of fellowship, fun and service.

WIN ONE OF OUR THREE GREAT RAFFLE PRIZES: First Prize - $200.00

Second Prize - $100.00

Third Prize – $50.00

$1.00 each or a book of six tickets for $5.00

Sales from these tickets help offset the expense of the auction, allowing the full proceeds from the event to go to support our

youth and outreach ministries.

4

CALENDAR FOR APRIL 2017

Calendar subject to changes/additions/corrections - Contact the parish office to schedule use of the building

Saturday, April 1

9am - 5pm Thrift Shop open for sales and donations

6:30pm AA meeting - BH

Sunday, April 2, The 5th Sunday in Lent 7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II - Contemporary

Nursery care 9am to noon 10am Sunday School Classes and Rite 13

10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional 12:15pm Women’s Bible Study - BH

5pm YAC gathering

Monday, April 3

7pm AA meeting - BH

Tuesday, April 4

9am Preschool PTO meeting - BH

2pm - 6pm Thrift Shop open for sales and donations

7pm District AA meeting - BH

8pm NA meeting - BH

Wednesday, April 5

7am Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist 9am - 11:30am Toddler Talk/My Time classes - BH

Noon Lenten Service/Luncheon at Downingtown Friends 6pm Preschool Family Fun Night - BH

Thursday, April 6

Preschool Easter Parties - classrooms


7pm Forever Endeavor rehearsal - Sanctuary

7:30pm Choir rehearsal - BH

Friday, April 7

Preschool Easter Parties - classrooms

8pm AA and Al-Anon meetings - BH

Saturday, April 8

9am - 11am - Adopt A Highway Clean Up (rescheduled date) 9am - 5pm Thrift Shop open for sales and donations


Sunday, April 9, The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday 7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II - Contemporary


11am Holy Eucharist Rite II - Traditional

Monday, April 10

7pm AA meeting - BH

Preschool Easter Break April 10 - 17

Tuesday, April 11

10am Worship Service at St. James Place


8pm NA meeting - BH

Wednesday, April 12

7am Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist

Thursday, April 13, Maundy Thursday


7:30pm Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Foot Washing

Friday, April 14, Good Friday

Noon Good Friday Community Service at Downingtown UMC 7:30pm Good Friday Liturgy 8pm AA and Al-Anon meetings - BH

Saturday, April 15



7:30pm Easter Vigil Service, Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday, April 16, The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday 7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II - Contemporary

Nursery care 9am to noon 10am Easter Egg Hunt - playground

10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 11am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Monday, April 17 7pm AA meeting - BH

Tuesday, April 18


8pm NA meeting - BH

Wednesday, April 19

9am - 11:30am Toddler Talk/My Time classes - BH

10:30am/2pm Children's Chapel with Fr. John

Thursday, April 20

10:30am Children's Chapel with Fr. John




Friday, April 21 Preschool trip to Milky Way Farm - Pre-K class only

11am Book Club

8pm AA and Al-Anon meetings - BH

Saturday, April 22



Sunday, April 23, The 2nd Sunday of Easter 7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II - Contemporary


10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional 5pm YAC gathering - BH

Building closed to all Support Group April 24 - April 29

For Auction set up in BH, Chapel, Library

Monday, April 24

9am - 11:30am Toddler Talk/My Time classes - BH

Tuesday, April 25 2pm - 6pm Thrift Shop open for sales and donations

Wednesday, April 26

9:30am Volunteers to assemble the April Steeple Notes - BH

Thursday, April 27

Preschool St. Jude Trike A Thon




Friday, April 28 Preschool St. Jude Trike A Thon

Saturday, April 29


5:30pm Annual Auction

Sunday, April 30, The 3rd Sunday of Easter 7:45am Holy Eucharist Rite I 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II - Contemporary


10am Coffee hour and fellowship in Bartholomew Hall 11am Holy Eucharist Rite II Traditional

5

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6

HOSPITALIZATION REMINDER It is important to notify the rector or parish administrator when you or a family member is in the hos-pital. Due to privacy laws, hospitals are no longer able to give the church information. Please let us know when you are in the hospital. After hours pastoral emergencies, our rector can be reached at 610-314-5482.

Do you need help with meals? Our Ministry of Meals can help. Contact the parish administrator or

Mandy Watson at [email protected]

Happy Spring from all of us at St. James Preschool! Spring has definitely sprung at the preschool. Just look around at the beautiful spring artwork covering the halls—

we banished all of the snowmen at this point. Throughout March we celebrated literacy by bringing our favorite books to share and inviting our Moms, Dads and Grandparents to come in as VIP readers. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day we had a mischievous leprechaun running around dropping gold coins which led to a pot of chocolate gold for us to enjoy! Our Pre-K children had an exciting month including Pre-K graduation photos (they just look so adorable in their caps and gowns!). Our

Outgrown Sale was a great event—it allowed our parents to clean house and make a little money for both themselves and the preschool, and provided an opportunity for preschool and community families to shop for their children and get some great bargains. Thank you so much to our PTO for running this event!

April has lots of fun things on the calendar as well We will celebrate Easter with a visit from the bunny, egg hunts on the playground and parties in the classroom! Our Pre-K students will have their Milky Way Farm field trip and experience their first school bus ride in preparation for kindergarten next fall. The field trip teaches children all about farm animals, how the cows are milked at Milky Way (with a close up observation of the amazing milking robot!), and finishes off with a hayride and fresh ice cream treat! We’ll also be holding our St. James Trike A Thon to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Through this program our students learn all about bike safety while earning money to help children that need it most. Also in April we are hoping to have lots of sunshine and time to play on our great playground!

We have limited openings for our September 2017 school year if you have not yet registered your child. Soon we will also begin registration for our fall Mommy and Me Programs. Please give a call for more infor-mation!

Happy Spring! Suzanne Diodato and Johanna Uggla

We have now glided into warmer weather although I’m sure we will get some winter surprises this month. In any case we will be dispensing with the receiving of winter clothing and are now accepting spring items such as lightweight long sleeve tops and slacks. Our shop has had numerous 50 cent sales for heavy woolen items such as sweaters, blazers and coats to make room for the new merchandise.

Our new hours have diminished the reception of donations so we are glad that Paoli’s Palm Tree is very generous in supplying us with clothing and household articles. Once again thank you to Thelma Ernst for organizing the transition to our shop as well

as to the drivers who pick up and deliver.

The thrift shop is always revamping and adding to the décor. We are presently displaying two tables dedicat-ed to gifts or decorations for St. Patrick’s Day and the Easter season. Our games and puzzles also have a new look. One of our volunteers, Dee Dougherty, has supplied us with metal box containers to showcase these toys and we dispensed with the duct taped boxes. Dee also put the shelving together which was a blessing.

If anyone is interested in staffing the late Saturday hours please call Luann in the parish office. We thank you for your support!

Anna Filoromo

7

Support Group Meetings In Bartholomew Hall

Monday 7:00pm Monday Message Open AA Tuesday: 8:00pm NA 1st Tuesday of month 8:00pm District AA Friday: 8:00pm AA and Al Anon Saturday: 6:30pm AA

All church or preschool committees/groups need to

contact the parish office to schedule use of the building

Free is Good

• Free first order of checks*

• No annual fee VISA® Debit Card

• Quickly and conveniently pay bills online 24/7

• Make one-time payments /schedule regular automated payments

Call 484-691-DNB1 or visit dnbfirst.com.

DNBFIRST BANKING SINCE 1860 Member FDIC

HUDSON L. VOLTZ, ESQUIRE JOY L. VALANIA, ESQUIRE JANET J. SATTERTHWAITE, ESQUIRE HEIDI T. NOVINO, PARALEGAL

HUDSON L. VOLTZ, P.C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Small Business ~ Family Law ~ Estate Planning & Probate ~ Real Estate Law THE LAIRD PROFESSIONAL BUILDING 610-518-9500 110 HOPEWELL ROAD, SUITE 200 Fax 610-518-5316 DOWNINGTOWN, PA 19335-1047 E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Voltz is a member; serving the St. James’ Community for Real Estate, Family, Business and Estate matters for the past 20 years

Altar Flowers are offered in loving memory of

and thanksgiving for

April 16, Easter Sunday Bobbie Carpenter

Paul Feeley Robert & Isle Hudson

April 23 George Fritze, Sr.

Altar Flowers can be given each Sunday (except during Lent) in memory of or in thanksgiving of a loved one.

Please fill in the date you would like in the Altar Guild Flower Book located on the table outside the Chapel.

Envelopes for payment ($50) are next to the book.

Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday!

Adam D'Andrea April 1

Patty McCue April 2

George Fritze Jr April 3

Tony Pierce April 4

Andrew Lindner April 6

Gerry Frank April 7

Jason Kirk April 7

Jason DiOttavio April 9

Debbie Harnsberger April 9

Delaney Craig April 11

Lori Engel April 11

Florence Vivian April 11

Lloyd Pettit April 12

Laurel Glidden April 13

Ron Renzulli April 13

Tom Umile April 13

Andrew Giffi April 14

Joseph Browne Jr. April 15

Roman Pierce April 16

Alex Tyner April 16

Esther Brink April 17

Scott Settle April 17

Ed Dazio April 19

Dave Feeley April 19

Gail Yuninger April 20

Katie Teears April 23

Laura Harting April 25

Carl Grashof April 26

Barbara Holden April 26

Sue McIntyre April 28

Helen Larson James April 29

Victor Wallace April 30

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Sunday Service Schedule 7:45am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I

9:00am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Contemporary

Nursery care during the 9am and 11am services 10:00am - Fellowship and Coffee Hour in Bartholomew Hall

10:00am - Sunday School Classes

11:00am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Traditional

STAFF

Rector The Rev. John W. Symonds

[email protected]

Parish Administrator/Bookkeeper Luann McIlvaine

[email protected]

Christian Education Coordinator Beth Sharamatew

[email protected]

Organist Sexton Jill Lewis Jack Mea

Sunday Nursery: Lauren Kety and Megan McIlvaine

Parish Office ~ 610-269-1774

409 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

Open Monday - Thursday: 9am to 1pm, Closed Fridays

St. James’ Thrift Shop ~ 610-873-7812 Co-Managers: Shirley Tompkin and Anna Filoromo

Tuesday and Thursday ~ 2pm - 6pm

Saturday ~ 9am to 5pm

St. James Preschool ~ 610-269-0525 Co-Directors: Suzanne Diodato and Johanna Uggla

www.stjamespreschool.com

Vestry Members - Term 2018

Judy Benne

Rob Deitcher Jack Edmonds

JoAnn Mattia


Rebecca Barger Mary Anne Feeley

Tom Hudecheck

Carol Ryan


Judy Craig

Susan Edmonds

Tim Gemmell Cathy Weisser

V B SV B SV B SV B S = Very. Big. Service.= Very. Big. Service.= Very. Big. Service.= Very. Big. Service.

VBS provides the church with a creative way of instilling Christ-like values and develops a

firm biblical foundation for faith development. VBS is an excellent outreach tool into the

community— to invite those who don’t normally attend church to come into the church, get

involved, and build a relationship with Jesus and with others.

The entire congregation can get involved in this outreach program! Adult and teen church

members can serve by decorating, teaching or acting out Bible stories, preparing snack, lead-

ing children in games, crafts and song.

Won’t you take an evening or two out of your summer to help with this important St. James’

outreach? We welcome helpers age 12 and up.

Any questions, please contact Beth Sharamatew ([email protected])

or Father John ([email protected]).

Save the Date for VBS 2017! Save the Date for VBS 2017! Save the Date for VBS 2017! Save the Date for VBS 2017!

Bible Blast to the PastBible Blast to the PastBible Blast to the PastBible Blast to the Past

June 19June 19June 19June 19----23232323 6:006:006:006:00----8:30 pm8:30 pm8:30 pm8:30 pm For Ages 4For Ages 4For Ages 4For Ages 4----11111111

9

From Fr. John One of the great things about serving in a parish that has such a long and significant history is that, chances are, something that is a current offering—even if it seems new---most likely existed before. I am thinking specifically about the early Wednesday morning Lenten gathering of Morning Prayer as the lit-urgy of the word with Eucharist service. Whereas this type of service is not brand new to me (I had been involved with a similar offering in another parish many years ago), it is “new” in my more-recent priestly ministry as a parish rector.

Certainly Morning Prayer is not new to St. James’. But from all that I have inferred, it has been a long time since MP & HE has been offered at 409 East Lancaster Avenue. It has been, literally, generations ago. The main reason for gathering together for corporate Christian worship is to honor God and to offer prayers of thanksgiving and supplication to the Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It seems however that more and more within our contemporary society, a by-product of organized religion is that, we are too readily inconvenienced by its very existence. Especially, “non-traditional” existence. Like…Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m.!

I was under no self-illusions. It did not seem that there would be a multitude coming together to partici-pate in the Magnificat or the Venite, to enter into that rhythm of scripture lesson and canticle, or share in that dynamic of versicle/response petitions as the suffrages are prayed. There is a reason why, thus far every week in this Lenten season, we conclude with the Prayer of St. Chrysostom, “that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them.” Those who have been worship-ing faithfully are, seemingly to me, just beginning to gel in a real and palpable way. I know that this is the case for myself.

When Christians gather to learn about and worship God, whether with contrite hearts and reverent inten-tions in penitential times like Lent, or at the boisterous and spirited celebrations of like Pentecost, the re-union of Jesus’ followers will witness an exponential growth of that spirit. Something happens when the Spirit affects those who are seeking it. A “thin place” is sensed, a time or event or place will exist in which the sacred is occurring, the blurry crossing of heavenly presence that is experienced here on earth. Something happens when a Christian sojourner—whether lay or ordained--lives into leading a service as foundational as the day’s first Daily Office, for the very first time…or for the first time in 5 or 10…or even 30 years.

Whether it be a service from the Daily Offices, a newly-created bible study, a youth group gathering, a celebratory event to kick-off an important initiative, or a pastoral service like a marriage or a burial, let us continue to remember throughout Lent, why we are called to be together: to place the emphasis on the Holy Trinity, and less so upon ourselves. Let us be beautifully and poignantly, be inconvenienced and challenged, as well as humbled and reaffirmed.

“Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.”

Fr. John Symonds

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