St. James’ Episcopal Church

2007 Annual Report

 

Table of Contents

Rector’s Letter 2

Assistant to the Rector for Adult Ministries. 3

Assistant to the Rector for Children and Youth Ministries. 5

Director of Parish Operations. 7

Senior Warden. 8

Junior Warden. 10

Membership. 11

Administrative Staff 13

Worship:  Acolytes. 15

Worship:  Altar Guild. 15

Worship:  Children’s Chapel 16

Worship:  Lay Eucharist Ministers and Lay Readers. 17

Worship:  St. James’ Adult Choir 18

Worship:  Music – Children’s Choir 19

Worship:  Music – Corner Chorale & Youth Music. 20

Worship:  Ushers and Greeters. 21

Outreach:  Adult Mission Trips. 22

Outreach:  Outreach Committee. 23

Outreach: St. James’ Preschool 26

Pastoral Care:  Healing Ministry. 26

Pastoral Care:  Intercessory Prayer Team.. 27

Pastoral Care:  Pastoral Associates. 27

Discipleship:  Education for Ministry (EfM) 28

Discipleship:  Fellowship Events. 29

Discipleship:  Sunday Coffee Hour Hosts. 30

Discipleship:  Foyer Groups. 30

Discipleship:  Kids With Purpose. 31

Discipleship:  Library. 31

Discipleship:  Nursery. 32

Discipleship:  Newcomers Committee. 33

Discipleship:  Sunday School 34

Discipleship:  20s/30s Group. 35

Discipleship:  Youth Groups. 35

Discipleship:  Annual Giving Campaign Committee. 37

Administration:  Vestry. 41

Administration:  Finance Committee. 42

Administration:  Planned Giving Committee. 43

Administration:  Building Committee. 43

Administration:  Capital Campaign Committee. 44

Administration:  Organ Committee. 44

Administration:  Communications. 46

Administration:  Church Street Property Committee. 47

Administration:  Parish Historians. 48

Administration:  Property Committee. 48

Administration:  King Street Property Oversight Committee. 49

 


Rector’s Letter

by The Reverend John R. Ohmer

 

Dear People of St. James’,

 

What makes a church healthy, or vibrant? What makes a church the kind of church you want to go to, and even tell your friends about?

 

Some time ago, the Rt. Rev. Mark Dyer – former Bishop of Bethlehem, PA, and currently a professor of systemic theology at Virginia Theological Seminary – wrote an article titled “Holding the Center Means Holding onto Christ,” in which he summarized seven characteristics of healthy churches.  I offer these to you as a way of putting this 2007 Annual Report into context:

 

1.      Healthy churches have a vital prayer life.

2.      Healthy churches have inspired teaching.

3.      Healthy churches have uplifting worship.

4.      Healthy churches have strong pastoral care.

5.      Healthy churches reach out in mission.

6.      Healthy churches have strong stewardship.

 

And here’s what’s interesting: the seventh and final characteristic of a healthy church:

 

7.      Healthy churches evangelize.

 

Now lest you be frightened by that term – many people believe that “evangelical Episcopalian” is a contradiction in terms! -- I love the way Bishop Dyer summarizes evangelism:

 

“If you, and your church, have a vital prayer life, inspired teaching, uplifting worship, strong pastoral care, an outreach mentality, and strong stewardship,

 

then I guarantee you won’t be able to keep your mouth shut about what is happening in your church.”

 

“Evangelical” congregations, he goes on to say, “have the face of Christ” – they “act like living streams, or generous buffet tables, drawing people in who are thirsty and hungry for God.”

 

Defined that way, I love the ways that this Annual Report shows that we – the people of St. James’ Episcopal Church – are becoming, more and more evangelical…more and more the face of Christ, more and more acting like refreshment and nourishment to a thirsty and hungry world.

 

Thanks be to God for this wonderful faith community!

 

Fr. John


Assistant to the Rector for Adult Ministries

by The Reverend Kate Bryant

 

One of the three major goals of our vision for St. James’ is to ensure that each parishioner is “inspired, equipped and empowered” to serve as an active disciple within the Christian community here.  For me, that translates into leading St. James’ adult Christian formation, adult outreach, and adult pastoral care ministries.

 

The centerpiece of adult Christian formation is our ever-popular Sunday morning Adult Forum.  Based on parishioners’ feedback, Bible study series remain the primary focus of Adult Forum, complemented by other series emphasizing the application of Christian principles to daily living.  This past year, Fr. John and I co-led five such series, including a three-part Epiphany Bible study on the Parable of the Sower; a five-part Lenten series on the Parable of the Prodigal Son; “Puritanism Sucks the Joy Out of Christian Living;” a seven-part fall Bible study series, “Being the Church: A Fresh Look at the Book of Acts;” and a two-part Advent  series, “What the Bible Does Tell You about Christmas, but Christmas Pageants Don’t.” 

 

Additional education opportunities included last year included a four-part Lenten weekday series, “Prayer for the Rest of Us” and the launch of a number of small groups, including a Sunday small group Bible study, “Pilgrimage through the Psalms,” led by Henry Stribling; a couples small group Bible study started in the fall led by Jim and Nancy Quinn;, and a year-long weekly women’s small group on spiritual disciplines which began last March co-directed by Anya Johnson and me.

 

An important aspect of my ministry is membership development.  In the spring, Fr. John and I led a five-part Wednesday membership class and a two-part Sunday afternoon class for those who want to become members of St. James’ as well as those who wish to be confirmed or received, or reaffirm their confirmation vows.  Following this class, 32 adults received the laying-on-of hands by the newly-installed Bishop of Virginia, the Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston, on June 3.

 

Last fall, Fr. John, Pastor Mary, and I worked closely together to develop a new, three-phase approach to membership so that people have a greater sense of connectedness to God, to St. James’, and to one another.  “Beginning the Christian Journey” is designed for those adults who have never been baptized, or those who have been “out of the faith” for a while and simply want to learn (or re-learn) the basics of Christian life and practice; this class will be taught for the first time in February and March of 2008.  “Discovering St. James’,” a three-part informal class designed to introduce people to the unique features of St. James’ and help develop a greater appreciation for what goes on each Sunday in worship.  The past fall, 18 people attended “Discovering St. James’” which will be offered again in the spring.  One need not be confirmed or received to be a member here, but should an individual choose, the third and final phase of membership development is “Exploring the Episcopal Church,” a class designed to prepare individuals who choose to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church at the time of the Bishop’s Annual Visit in the spring.

 

In the area of worship, two 2007 developments stand out above and beyond the Sunday morning and Wednesday noon worship experiences.  First, in Advent 2006, we began a Friday morning service of Morning Prayer—Rite I under the leadership of Jon Butler and Alecia Moroz.  This service has continued as a regular feature of our worship life here.  Joining Jon and Alecia in 2007 was John Riley.  The other worship development was a Saturday evening U2charist which was planned and led by Pastor Mary and me last February, with the passion and help of George Pellicano and Hunt McMahon.  More than 250 worshippers joined us for this spirit-filled service.

 

Our parish has more than doubled in the past eight years, and with that kind of growth comes a greater need to manage and develop our resources—including our buildings and grounds, information technology, communications, and human resources—so that parishioners’ needs are more effectively and efficiently met.  To that end, we identified the need for a new position, Director of Parish Operations (DPO).  Beginning late last spring, I worked closely with Senior Warden Mary Frances Forcier and the Personnel Committee to manage the recruitment process.  On January 2, Keith Nelsen Stroud joined us as DPO, and has already begun to have an impact here.  In addition, I worked closely with Communications Committee chairperson Julie Johnson and committee member Adam Modzelesky on planning a redesign of our parish website later in 2008.

 

In service to the wider church, I serve as a member of the Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission.  In my effort to reach out to the wider community here in Leesburg, I serve as an on-call chaplain at INOVA Lansdowne, celebrate Eucharist at Leisure World once each month, and am a member of Loudoun Interfaith Bridges.

 

On a personal note, last July I was received as a Priest Associate at the Society of St. Margaret, a Boston-based Episcopal community of women seeking to find Jesus present in worship, in common life, and in ministries which respond to the needs of the times.

 

In his letter to the Corinthians Paul reminds us that Christian life is a matter of being changed into the likeness of Christ.  With God’s help, we will continue to be transformed by following Jesus, and will transform others.  Nothing can be more exciting or fulfilling.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Rev. Kate

 

 

 

 


Assistant to the Rector for Children and Youth Ministries

by The Reverend Mary Davila

 

One of the questions that I am asked most frequently as a priest, and as a youth minister, is “do you work any days of the week besides Sundays?” The people who ask this—usually youth—ask the question in sincere interest and curiosity.  In fact, several of our youth sense that they, too, may be called to ordained ministry, and they want to know what the day-in-and-day-out life of a priest is like.

 

The answer, of course, is that I do work on days other than Sundays.

 

But I understand the question.  I am a rare breed, a youth minister who happens to be a priest.  Or a priest who happens to be a youth minister.  I’m not sure which one I am first and foremost.  And there aren’t many of me out there—I don’t know any other priest in this Diocese who is directly responsible for youth ministry in his or her church.  The combination brings tremendous joy—I have said before that I have the best job in the world—but it does make life, shall we say, interesting.

 

There have been times when I’ve been at the side of someone who is dying, administering last rites. And 30 minutes later, I’ve found myself at Youth Group, chugging Coke, to see who can burp the loudest. My job involves a good bit of emotional whiplash. A trip to the hospital to visit a parishioner is as common for me as a trip the soccer field to cheer on one our youth.

 

Much of my work does not center on youth ministry.  This past year, I officiated seven services of marriage at St. James’.  I officiated one burial service on my own, and participated in several with Fr. John and Rev. Kate.  I preach on a regular basis, go to the hospital to bless babies and visit the sick and dying, provide pastoral care to the young and old, all of the normal things that one would expect from a priest.  It’s just that I also get to play goofy games a lot, too.

 

You can read about Children’s Chapel, Sunday School, Youth Groups, Youth Mission, and 20s/30s Group in the reports that follow.  Those reports adequately address the program areas for which I am responsible—but they are part of my job, and the rest of my time is devoted to being a priest who ministers to and with people of all ages, in all stages of life.

 

Finally, I spend a tremendous amount of time working with Fr. John and Rev. Kate, planning worship services, adult forum, membership classes, Vestry meetings, editing newsletters and

e-pistles, many of which have nothing to do with my program area.  But, John, Kate, and I have an extremely collegial relationship, and what one of us is involved with, all of us have a hand in.  That is the joy as working part of a team, and the fact that we are so connected means that the end result is that much better, stronger, and to the glory of God.

 

I cannot say enough about how much I love my job, and how much I love the people of St. James’.  You all are a joy and an inspiration!

 

Peace,

Pastor Mary

St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church

St. James’ Church Plant

by The Reverend Jeunée Cunningham

 

It is hard to believe that St. Gabriel’s was launched out of St. James’ over five years ago, in September of 2002.  In March of 2008, we will celebrate five years of public worship.  As a young church, it has been exciting to see how we have lived into our mission statement to “experience life-changing encounters with God, build meaningful relationships, and make a difference in the world.”

 

Our average Sunday attendance is around 100 people, and our baptized membership has increased significantly. At Bishop Johnston’s visit in June 2007, we confirmed, received and reaffirmed 28 people, most of them new to St. Gabriel’s this past year.

 

While finances are always tight in a vibrant, mission-driven church, St. Gabriel’s continues to take on more and more of our own expenses.  In 2008, our whole budget, except for a $20,000 mission grant from Region XIII, will be covered by our own pledge and plate.

 

Some highlights for 2007:

 

·         We raised $32,000 from St. Gabriel’s Alternative Gift Fair for 13 local Loudoun-based charities as part of our ongoing commitment to local, national, and international outreach.

·         Our Saturday Night Service will launch weekly February 2, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. after a successful prelaunch service December 15 with 99 people in attendance. This St. Gabriel’s service is being held at St. James’, and is open to St. James’ members. The Saturday night service is multi-sensory in style, including art, upbeat music, occasional drama and video, and of course, Holy Eucharist each week. Our next prelaunch service is January 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the St. James’ Sanctuary.

·         We continue to work behind the scenes with our gift of over 10 acres of land at Battlefield Parkway and Fort Evans Road. We are in the legal process of transferring the property to the church, and also working with adjacent developers to see how we might take advantage of the road construction to provide for grading and entrances needed for our future site development.

 

We appreciate St. James’ continued prayers for St. Gabriel’s to reach growing Loudoun County with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

 

St. Gabriel’s worships 10:00 a.m. Sundays at Belmont Ridge Middle School, Lansdowne and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays in St. James’s Sanctuary (beginning February , 2008)

St. Gabriel’s Office: 3rd Floor Rittenhouse at St. James’

703-779-3616 + www.saintgabriels.net + pastor@saintgabriels.net

 

 


Director of Parish Operations

by Keith Nelsen Stroud

 

While I have just begun my association with St. James’, it is already apparent to me that this is a vital and growing parish with vast opportunities.  I know that I am fortunate to be here and to be working with this wonderful community of faith.

 

I see my primary purpose as building the “back lot” that will enable you, the parishioners, to assume the mantle of spreading the Gospel through those many ministries and committees that make St. James’ the active parish it is.

 

I use the analogy of the back lot advisedly in that on a movie set, the back lot is transparent and exists to make the story come to life.  This is how I see the support staff.  We are here to be sure that your worship experience, your outreach activities, and your sense of community are enhanced and seamless.

 

If I, and by extension my staff, am able to improve, augment or establish systems that facilitate the three stated goals of the congregation, then we will be meeting the overarching staff goal which is to provide systemic support so that the congregation can live into its mission that Nourished by Word and Sacrament, we are sent out to so the work God has given us to do, to love and serve God as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.

 

This faith community has grown substantially over the last several years and is poised to leap into a new and exciting phase.  Many changes are afoot.  But with change and growth there is the necessity for greater internal control and management.  When you are a young couple, working to establish a life together, there is a certain level of complexity inherent in your existence.  Add a child to the mix and you make a quantum leap in that level of complexity.  Such is true with the church family.  As we add members and ministries (which is our purpose), the need for systems, and checks and balances becomes more important by the minute.  In order to continue to function efficiently and effectively so that we can do the work God has chosen us to do, these systems will begin to appear.

 

As an experienced agent of change, I know there may be some concerns when some of the systems are put into place.  I urge you to come and speak with me or call me should you have questions about anything that is going on.

 

Keith Nelsen Stroud

Director of Parish Operations

 

 


Senior Warden

by Mary Frances Forcier, Ph.D.

 

“Organizing to Care”

 

2007 has been a watershed year in the life of St. James’, and the Vestry expresses its deepest gratitude to the clergy, parishioners and staff who have put hearts, heads and hands to work on behalf of our Christian community in Leesburg.

 

Over the past year, a key vestry priority has been to “organize to care” – to ensure that the core functions of the parish – worship, outreach, pastoral care, discipleship, and administration – continue to function smoothly and are meeting our parishioners’ and our community needs.

 

In early 2007, the Vestry engaged Doug Lind, a former Presbyterian minister, now an Episcopal priest, who has for the past 30 years consulted with and coached senior executives from Fortune 500 companies on issues relating to executive growth and organizational effectiveness.  Doug met with clergy, staff, and parishioners to learn more about the challenges of growth and how we might best organize for the future. He joined us at our January Vestry Retreat to help us process the information he gathered in his study.

 

To quote from Dr. Lind’s report:

  • St. James’ is one of a relatively small number of Episcopal parishes around the nation that have the level of excellence that draws large numbers of people to them.
  • Most Episcopalians are served by a very small number of larger churches; the rest of the communicants in the Episcopal Church are thinly spread over all the rest of the parishes.
  • You have wisely chosen not to grow for growth’s sake, but even your church planting makes you just that more attractive to people who are searching for a worshiping community.
  • You are a teaching church for the leadership of the Episcopal Church in the future.  You and parishes like yours will form the future priestly leadership of the denomination.

 

The key for the future of St. James’ from a staffing perspective is to recognize several realities.

  • The more you grow, the more volunteers the programs of the parish will need.
  • Your clergy have two primary responsibilities: to provide leadership and to provide direct service to parishioners and others.
  • You have one of those rare clergy in your rector who is a superior communicator and needs lots of time to write and to think.
  • The programs that your three clergy lead require all the time they have beyond time needed for pastoral duties, their own spiritual growth and health, and time for personal lives.
  • Hence there is a critical gap to fill from a management and coordination perspective.

           

Dr. Lind helped us clarify the roles that we expected our clergy to fulfill (pastoral care, Christian formation, spiritual leadership) and identify those that can be best fulfilled by parishioners and by professional and support staff.

 

Over the summer, the Personnel Committee and Vestry members met frequently to identify needs, draft position descriptions, and recruit the right people for the right positions.

 

With God’s help, we were happy to welcome Keith Nelsen Stroud in January 2008, as our new Director of Parish Operations.

 

The DPO is, as Doug Lind described, “a senior staff person to provide administrative oversight; a second pair of eyes that are not those of a specialist but those of a generalist,  to insure that the proper coordination takes place among all the events and activities and plans that are afoot.”

 

You have heard me say this more than once: I am amazed, grateful, and in awe of the time and talent that parishioners bring to St. James’.

 

All those “events and activities and plans” are the direct result of the Holy Spirit working through the people of this parish.

 

Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. It is a joy.

 

In faith,

Mary Frances Forcier, Ph.D.

Senior Warden

 

 

 


Junior Warden

by Ken Getty

 

2007 Highlights:  The highlight of 2007 was the acquisition of the Seccombe Property and its designation as the new Rectory.   Renovation of the house should be completed by February with the Ohmers moving from the old Rectory in late February/early March 2008.

 

Overview:  Under the able leadership of Jon Aycock, the Property Committee has stepped forward to address many of the problems associated with the aging infrastructure and planning for the future additions and renovations.  That work will take on increased significance we move into 2008 and beyond.  Dave Bukovskey and Wally Ennis have done yeomen’s work repairing, replacing and band-aiding problems with our aging infrastructure. The hiring of Adan Cortes, full-time sexton, in May 2007 has significantly improved the general cleanliness of our facilities. Courtney Patterson, a new staff member, has assumed a key role in establishing standard operating procedures for maintenance and repair of the facilities.

 

During this past year we have had to make these necessary repairs and replacements caused by aging infrastructure

 

  • Replaced the refrigerator and ice maker in the Parish Hall kitchen.
  • Replaced the sound system with a state-of-the art digital sound system.
  • Rewired the electrical system in the Sanctuary and installed theater lights to support the Saturday evening services.
  • Repaired the ceiling in the Narthex damaged by a broken water pipe.

 

There is a much-needed requirement to restore our stained glass windows.  Over many years, these historical windows have fallen into disrepair and now need our attention.  Over the past few months, we have enlisted firms provide an analysis of the windows and submit estimates to us, prioritize the repairs, and identify the time required to repair and restore these treasures.  This will be an on-going project over the next five years.

 

What does 2008 have in store for St. James’?  It will be a year of transition as we begin detailed planning for the upcoming renovation and expansion.  We will move into the Parish House, the old Rectory, in the spring after repairs and painting.  This move will add much needed meeting space and classrooms to our facilities.  Some renovations, heating and air conditioning, will be started in the Janney House.  We will continue the repair and replace the aging infrastructure as the transition stretches into 2009 and beyond.

 

 


Membership

by Kay Gregg, Registrar

 

St. James’ is an exciting and dynamic church.  We continue to grow each year with new families and individuals who enjoy our worship services and are enriched by our adult forums and also because of our strong and lively youth activities and programs.  This year we undertook the daunting task of updating our parish database.  Thank you to all our parishioners and those of you who are not members of this church, but who worship with us, for completing the forms which have allowed us to correct some of our outdated and incorrect information.  We always look forward and welcome help from each and every one of you to keep our database current.  Our membership process was changed this year and formalized with the publication of a pamphlet listing the five steps required to become a member of our faith community.  We are enjoying good attendance in these classes and have been able to welcome many new members to our church.

 

St. James’ is comprised of 445 member families, which equates to 1,487 individuals.  Of those, 518 are young people under the age of 16.  There are a large number of people who attend services regularly or who have asked to be on our mailing list but who are not yet members. 

 

There were 12 wedding, burials numbered nine.  We had 44 baptisms, and 38 individuals were confirmed/received by the bishop.

 

 


 

 


Administrative Staff

by Janine Carmichael

 

Staff:    Janine Carmichael, Communications Coordinator

Sheri Nelson, Financial Administrator

Courtney Patterson, Administrative Assistant

Kay Gregg, Registrar & Wedding Coordinator

Adan Cortes, Sexton

Carlos Rodriguez, Sunday Custodian

 

2007 Highlights:  2007 has been a good and productive year for the administrative staff.  Our team has become stronger and more efficient through the support and encouragement of the clergy, parishioners, ministry heads, and each other.  Although our Parish Secretary, Laura Heyer, moved to the St. James’ Preschool as their administrative assistant, the Church Office welcomed Courtney Patterson as our new Administrative Assistant.  Courtney has dug right in to property issues, and has been instrumental in achieving property improvements on the campus.  We also joyfully welcomed Adan Cortes back as our full-time sexton.

 

The office is also blessed with dedicated volunteers who are available for phone coverage, mailings, and other odd jobs around the office as needed:  Jane Barger, Dennis Brogan, Jan Joseph, and Mary Pitz.  Special thanks go out to Chris Brogan who continually goes above and beyond to assist the Church Office staff every week.  Also, we extend heartfelt appreciation for the work of Nadine Ackmann, who came to the office on Friday mornings as she was able to help us stuff bulletins and ready the church for Sunday services.  She was an absolute joy and inspiration to us all, and she is greatly missed.

 

Thank you also to Jeff Brannock, Ken Robinson, and John Rudolf for volunteering to upgrade and maintain our computer network, and to Wally Ennis for volunteering to enhance the sound and lighting systems for the church.

 

Meeting the spatial needs of the various ministries (Sunday School, Library, Youth Groups, Preschool, music ministries, educational classes, St. Gabriel’s, as well as outside community programs) can be a challenge.  The administrative staff has diligently maintained the organization and use of church space.

 

Through the efforts of staff and volunteers, approximately 2,400 bulletins are edited, copied and folded per month for our three Sunday services, as well as our weekly announcements and special informational inserts.  We also produce burial, wedding, and other special event bulletins/leaflets as needed.

 

The publication of our newsletter, Loaves & Fishes, continued.  Over 1,100 copies of the newsletter are mailed monthly, sometimes even bi-weekly, depending on the season and events happening at St. James’.  It is mailed to our members, prospects, visitors, and friends, and also posted on our website.

 

Among my responsibilities, I maintain the St. James’ website, and am working to enhance the website to better meet the informational needs of parishioners and the public.  If you have not done so recently, I encourage you to visit our website:  www.stjamesleesburg.org.

 

St. James’ e-pistle, an email sent each Friday to close to 600 parishioners containing a message from

Fr. John, as well as a direct link to the upcoming Sunday’s announcements and other communications for the parish, has been upgraded through the use of Constant Contact.  The response to the reformatted

e-pistle has been very positive.

 

In addition to the other sources of information about the parish, we also publish “A Guide to St. James’”, a comprehensive collection of descriptions of each ministry at work in this active parish. The “Guide” also provides contact information for weddings, membership, and services, as well as biographies of the clergy.  This booklet is an invaluable resource for newcomers and those looking to become more active within the parish.

 

 


Worship:  Acolytes

by Dottie Brannock

 

Ministry Head: Dottie Brannock

 

Talent of the Ministry: Stephen Brannock, Hannah Bowman, Andrew Cameron, Ashley Cameron, Andrew Cangelosi, Phil Cangelosi, Sydney Chapman, Scott Clark, Conor Cosgrove, DeLaney Cosgrove, Emily Douglas, Mary Douglas, Temple Douglas, James Forcier, Gabrielle Haeringer, Arrianna Hamrah, Courtney Marcellin, Grace Marcellin, Megan Marcellin, Riley McGovern, Jack Minchew, Richard Moffett, Elizabeth Moore, William Moore, Elise Moroz, Jonathan Moroz, Connor Mulherin, Courtney Mulherin, Elizabeth Ohmer, Graham Ohmer, EJ Powell, Matthew Poell, Walter Richardson, Bryan Rombach, Laure Schneider, Elisabeth Schoot, Mitchell Stevens, Zach Stevens, Eliza Stribling, Drew Styles, Nick Styles, Jacob Swartz, Leah White, Megan White

 

Mission:  The primary duty of the acolyte is to serve God and the Church.  Acolytes perform a variety of duties that support the worship service and assist the clergy to celebrate the Eucharist.  In addition to Sunday services, acolytes support special services during Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, as well as weddings and funerals.

 

2007 Highlights:  Forty-six acolytes contributed their time and talent to three services every Sunday to support parish worship.  Six acolytes graduated from high school this past spring and 11 new acolytes joined this fall.  Six acolytes and four adults participated in an annual trip to the Washington National Cathedral for the 28th National Acolyte Festival.

 

Thank you to all the parents for their support for this ministry.

 

 

Worship:  Altar Guild

by Margaret Akers

 

Ministry Head:  Margaret Akers

 

Talent of the Ministry:  The dedicated members of the altar guild provide the wine, wafers and water for each service on Sunday and for weddings and funerals.

 

2007 Highlights:

 

¨      New members were added to help with the continued care of the altar, linens, sacred vessels, Sanctuary, Chancel, and Sacristy.

¨      Two new credence table cloths were purchased to replace worn linens.

¨      A new pall was designed and purchased for use on the stand for cremains during funerals

 

It has been a truly blessed year!

 

 

Worship:  Children’s Chapel

by The Rev. Mary Davila

 

Ministry Heads:  Julie Garey, Bridget Penberthy, and The Rev. Mary Davila

 

Mission:  Children’s Chapel provides the children of St. James’ (age 3 through 5th grade) the opportunity to worship and learn lessons from the Gospels in an age-appropriate manner each Sunday of the year while allowing parents to worship and hear the adult homily without distraction.

 

2007 Ministry Highlights:

  • Children’s Chapel has served St. James’ almost every Sunday of the 2007 calendar year at both the 9:00 and 11:15 services.  We have also provided special family services for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday (Instructed Eucharist for Children), Good Friday (Stations of the Cross), and Christmas Eve (3:30 and 5:30 Children’s Services).
  • In 2007, we added another section of Children’s Chapel, dividing our 1-5th graders into two groups: 1st-3rd grade, and 4th and 5th grade. This addition serves to accommodate our growing number of children at St. James’, and to reach children at a more specific age appropriate level.
  • Pastor Mary led three Instructed Eucharist services for children in 2007.
  • Pastor Mary led a Scripture-based educational offering for children, dealing with the topics of death and heaven.

·         Children Chapel leaders have spent a significant amount of time planning, preparing, and implementing (and rehearsing with children for each of the special services) each lesson presented to the children of St. James’ during the 2007 calendar year.

·         The Children’s Chapel ministry will continue to seek leaders for Children’s Chapel as we continue to grow and expand to support the needs of our children.

 

We are truly blessed to have such wonderfully talented and dedicated leaders for our ministry!

 

 


Worship:  Lay Eucharist Ministers and Lay Readers

by Ron Kunz

 

Ministry Head:  Ron Kunz and Jeff Brannock

 

Mission:  An overview of the ministries is as follows:

 

Lay Reader – Through the Lay Reader, God’s living Word continues to be proclaimed to His people: to the young and old, the troubled, the hopeless, the happy, the content, to those in need of challenge, and to those in need of comfort.

 

Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) – The Lay Eucharistic Minister performs two specific functions:

1.      Administers the elements (the consecrated bread and wine) at any celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of Priests or Deacons assisting the celebrant.

2.      Directly following a celebration of the Holy Eucharist and accompanied by a Pastoral Associate, takes the consecrated Sacrament to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present.

 

Talent of the Ministry:

Qualifications: No special prior experience is required, only faith and interest in these exciting ministries.  Lay Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers must be persons of wisdom in the faith and of good repute who have received the respect of the local congregation and also demonstrate spiritual maturity.  In addition, Lay Eucharistic Ministers must be adult (defined as age 16 years or older) members of St. James’ Church.

 

Training and Orientation:  Training sessions coordinated with the clergy are informal and held twice a year.  The team of Lay Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers provide backup to one another and are available to help.  Following training, Lay Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers are licensed to serve with the Diocese of Virginia.

 

Scheduling:  Once trained, Lay Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers are scheduled once or twice a month at the service time of their choice (7:45, 9:00, or 11:15 a.m.) to read the Word or to assist in serving the elements.  The schedule is published quarterly.  Schedule changes are flexible, and are coordinated between individual readers and LEMs.

 

2007 Highlights:  During 2007, 53 devoted members have answered their personal call to serve the Lord as Lay Readers and/or Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) at the various services.  The Eucharistic ministry is especially fulfilling and humbling because it provides the opportunity to directly participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.

 

 

Worship:  St. James’ Adult Choir

by Kathleen Jordan

 

Ministry Head: Dr. Steven Cooksey, Organist and Choir Director

 

The Choir is directed and accompanied by Dr. Steven Cooksey and is made up of members of the congregation and several semiprofessional section leaders and soloists. The Choir always welcomes new talent.

 

The Choir sings at the 11:15 a.m. Sunday services every week, leading the congregation in singing the hymns and the psalm for the day, and offering special music for the Offertory anthem and during Communion reinforcing the text of the scripture for the day. The Choir also offers a Christmas Eve concert before Midnight Mass and the music for the Midnight Mass itself.

 

In a special program with Trinity Lutheran Church, the two choirs sang Vivaldi’s “Gloria” in May during the early service at Trinity Lutheran, and during the 11:15 service at St. James as well. A harpsichord was brought in for the accompaniment, first to Trinity Lutheran - and tuned there - and then over to

St. James’ -- and tuned again there. In St. James’, the choirs sang from the back of the church, adding a wonderful acoustic aspect to the service.

 

Soloists from earlier days often return to sing with the Choir. Courtney Ross, soprano, is pursuing her career in opera, and during December she returned and performed with the choir

 

The choir did enjoy experimenting with some new instrumental accompaniments. The most unique and enchanting was the finger cymbals sparkling throughout one of the Renaissance hymns sung during September.

 

During October, Nadine Ackmann passed away and the Choir, joined by the Corner Chorale and Darrell Ackmann’s St. David’s Choir, helped sing her to her rest. Our special old friend and tenor soloist, Michael Forest, now the Music Department Chair at Shenandoah Conservatory and Music Minister at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, returned to sing ”My Lord, What A Morning.”

 

Dr. Cooksey celebrates his 25th year as Choir Master and Organist at St. James’ this year. To recognize this milestone musical events are in the process of being planned for early 2008 and celebrations will include the entire congregation.

 

In looking toward 2008, there are several plans in the works for St. James’ music programs. There is a plan to produce a series of mid-day Lenten musical meditations, to include area performers offering sacred music in preparation for Easter. Producing an evening series of family-oriented classical performances is also in the planning stages.

 

Most pressing on the music agenda is the venerable but rapidly aging Mohlar organ that is an integral part of the music program. The organ is unreliable and its frequent breakdowns are expensive. Members of the congregation are usually not aware of the problems, but often various keys don’t function, the pipes fall over, and, at times, the entire instrument remains stubbornly silent until help arrives - extensive, expensive technical help.

 

For Dr. Cooksey’s birthday in May 2007 the Choir established a Fund to be contributed in his honor to the moneys that will be raised in a capital campaign and used for the renovations at St. James’, including the purchase and building of a new organ in St. James’. Dr. Cooksey’s Christmas Gift is an additional contribution to this Fund. During this first year of the Fund the Choir contributed more than $2,000 toward a new organ.

 

This year has been a busy, satisfying year for St. James’ music department, singing lots of new music and sharing many old favorites. This coming year 2008 promises to be dynamic and the Choir expects to move forward, with the Lord’s help, in support of the congregation and our worship.

 

 

Worship:  Music – Children’s Choir

by Dr. Pat Avery

 

Ministry Head:  Dr. Pat Avery

 

I am grateful to be completing my third year here at St. James’ working with our children.  It is wonderful to see the children grow and continue to add their musical talents to our worship community here at St. James’.  And now we are beginning to see some of our middle school and high school students contributing their musical talents in our worship services also.

 

I am most grateful for the continued support of the St. James’ community during this past year as I recovered from my badly shattered left leg.  Dr. Cooksey, Rachel Newell, Stephan Knobloch, and Robin Harris all assisted with the music while I was recovering.  It is my pleasure to be back on the organ bench.

 

Thanks also to the St. James’ clergy, Corner Chorale, and the lay pastoral associates, especially Debbie Gegenheimer, who were all very supportive during my recovery.

 

I look forward to a healthy and a productive New Year here at St. James’.

 

 


Worship:  Music – Corner Chorale & Youth Music

by Dr. Stephan Knobloch

 

Ministry Head:  Dr. Stephan Knobloch

 

At the beginning of 2007, I was a volunteer member of the Corner Chorale – one of nine core members who are committed to weekly rehearsal and fellowship.  Over the course of the year, my role evolved into assisting in Dr. Pat’s absence to beginning formal duties as the Director of the Corner Chorale in September 2007.  I am happy to return as one of the leaders of music ministry at St. James’.

 

Two goals for the Corner Chorale include increase the number of musicians and offer a wider variety of music selections.  It is difficult to commit to ongoing weekly rehearsals and services, therefore, we (all of the members of the Corner Chorale) invited people this fall at the Ministry Fair to participate based on shorter church seasons.

 

To that end, the Advent and Christmas seasons bore fruit with the addition of several voices and instrumentalists to the 9:00 service.  A special note of thanks to Emily Douglass, Ruth Grubbs, and Michael Knobloch for joining the Corner Chorale during the season.  Likewise thanks to Margie Lang-Garnhart and her husband Geff for sharing their beautiful playing of the violin and piano.

 

In the spirit of extending and sharing God’s gift of music, the Middle and High School Youth led a service in November with a host of young singers and outstanding musical leadership from Sage Hawn, Temple Douglas, Walter Richardson, Michael Knobloch, R.J. Johnson, Richard Moffett, and Lillian Moring, with the talents of Margie Lang-Garnhart and Geff Garnhart.  This was followed up by a youth-led Christmas Eve service with the talents of R.J. Johnson (flute), Megan White (violin), Lillian Moring (organ), Ashley Cameron, Emily Douglas, Temple Douglas, Mary Douglas, Sage Hawn, Katherine Knobloch, and Michael Knobloch.

 

I look forward to expanding and extending the music offerings at the 9:00 service in collaboration with Dr. Avery and Dr. Cooksey in 2008.  St. James’ is blessed to have an abundance of musical talent.  I encourage all interested singers and instrumentalists to join either the Corner Chorale during any of the church seasons in 2008 and/or future youth-led services.

 

With God’s blessings the music ministry at St. James’ will continue to grow in 2008.

 

 


Worship:  Ushers and Greeters

by Tom Smith

 

Ministry Head:  Tom Smith (9:00 ushers)

 

Talent of the Ministry:  Kay Webster (7:45) and Bruce Holland (11:15) who coordinate the schedules for the 7:45 and 11:15 services plus about 120 more volunteers who gladly support this ministry.

 

Mission:  To warmly welcome and assist both visitors and parishioners while providing consistent, quiet support to the seamless flow of each service.

 

2007 Highlights:  We help parishioners and latecomers find seats with minimal distractions to the congregation.  We also explore ways we can help keep the Sanctuary a quiet place for prayer and reflection before the worship services.  Regular responsibilities of the ushers and greeters include ringing the church bell before each service, handing out bulletins and announcements, greeting parishioners and newcomers, collecting and presenting the offertory, assisting in communion, and helping with the logistics of each service.

 

Opportunities for Ministry:  We always have space for new ushers.  If you would like to become an usher at St. James’, please give your name and contact information to the ministry head or any of the ushers at the service that you attend.

 

 


Outreach:  Adult Mission Trips

“Hard Work and Heart Work”

by Ken Getty

 

Ministry Head:  Ken Getty

 

Volunteers with the St. James’ Adult Mission Trips ministry serve by sharing gifts, energy, and skills.  The ministry had a very rewarding year in 2007.  In 2007, members of the “hard work, heart work” crew continued their work in Welch, WV, and traveled twice to New Orleans to aid in the Katrina recovery effort.  We expect to continue our service to the poor, the homeless, and victims of disasters in 2008.  Thank you to the many members of the congregation who gave time and talents to the Adult Mission Trips ministry this year.  Nothing can be accomplished without your support.

 

Five members of the Adult Mission team journeyed to Welch, WV, in July 2007 to continue our commitment to support the Rev. Hilda Kennedy and the Highland Education Project, her initiative to improve living conditions for Welch residents.  Assisted by residents of Premier Park, we built two decks for a family with a disabled parent and repaired a deck and built a roof for the same family.

 

Ten members of the parish traveled to New Orleans in March 2007 to support the Diocese of Louisiana’s Office of Disaster Recovery.  After an orientation about the devastation caused by Katrina, we went to work rebuilding a house near New Orleans University.  Our work consisted of dry walling and spackling, hard but much more rewarding than the gutting work accomplished on the first trip to New Orleans.  An additional ten members of the parish returned to New Orleans in November to continue the work of rebuilding started in March.  On this trip the “rookies” got a little taste of “gutting” as the Office of Disaster Recovery requested we gut the outside of a house before starting our construction work.  The New Orleans mission trips continue to be an emotional experience, which causes each of us to think about how we can help New Orleans in the future.

 

The team will return to Welch, WV, on July 13, 2008, for a week of work to support the Highland Education Project.  More information about this trip will be published in April 2008.  The team continues to plan for two trips to New Orleans:  one in the spring, and another in the fall.  Mike Nunnally is organizing the spring trip and will be looking for volunteers in the near future.

 

 


Outreach:  Outreach Committee

by the Rev. John Ohmer

 

Ministry Head:  Ann Reimers (until 11/31/2007), The Rev. John Ohmer (interim head beginning 12/1/2007)

 

Talent of the Ministry:  Dina Bessa, Jennifer and Michael Galvin, Kimberly Haeringer, Mike Nunnally, Ann Reimers, Jane Roth

 

Mission:  The Outreach Committee supports every member of the parish as they are sent out to do the work God has given him or her to do, proactively reaches out in service, and extends Christ’s love to the wider community, nation, and the world.  Committee members research and designate the recipients of the Easter and Christmas offerings which St. James’ has a long-standing tradition of donating the entirety of non-pledge offerings to outreach causes.  We also coordinate parish-wide “Outreach in Action” opportunities.

 

2007 Highlights:

 

The Outreach Committee supports parishioners’ local, domestic, and international outreach.

 

Our focus in 2007 was on supporting the hands-on outreach efforts of parishioners -- please see reports from Kids With Purpose, Youth Groups, and Adult Mission for more details on these hands-on outreach events. 

 

We also continued strengthening, through financial support, those organizations in which parishioners have hands-on involvement:

 

Local outreach activities and support included:

 

  • St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church:  As our daughter church continues to work toward financial independence as they reach out to those seeking a church home in the Leesburg/Ashburn area, St. James’ continued to provide support at a reduced level. In 2007, we provided $7,500 (half of our 2006 support).
  • Good Shepherd Alliance:  St. James’ continued to partner with the Good Shepherd Alliance (GSA) to assist the homeless in our community.  We provided financial assistance of $1,083 to assist the Good Shepherd Alliance in keeping their winter warming shelter and day center open this winter.
  • Holiday Coalition:  We continued our tradition of providing volunteers at the Holiday Coalition for both Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions this year.  In addition, we collected food for the Thanksgiving distribution and held a toy drive to benefit the Christmas distribution.
  • Loudoun ARC:  We continue to support Loudoun ARC.  In 2007, St. James’ provided $5,955 to the Aurora School where parishioner Jennifer Lassiter serves as the Director.  We also continue to work with the Board of Trustees of the Margaret Paxton Memorial for Convalescent Children toward reopening Paxton for the benefit of needy children.
  • Circle of Love Coalition:  We gave $745 to this organization which provides shelter to men as well as essential assistance and services to the homeless and poor of Loudoun County.  Parishioner Janice King is Director of Circle of Love. 
  • Loudoun Cares:  St. James’ made a contribution of $490 toward the ongoing maintenance of the Information Referral Line.  Loudoun Cares is uniquely positioned to connect those in need with the programs that can assist them and also to assess additional need beyond the current issue at hand in order to bring to the table a variety of resources to benefit the needy family.
  • Loudoun Community Free Clinic:  In addition to directed contributions through the Alternative Gift Market (see below), St. James’ made a contribution of $2,000 from budget in December toward medical care for impoverished adults in Loudoun.  Parishioner Lyle Werner is the Executive Director and parishioner Dr. Kurt Rodney is the Volunteer Medical Director.
  • Loudoun Interfaith Relief:  We continued a long-standing custom of collecting food for Loudoun Interfaith Relief in the Narthex throughout the year.
  • Loudoun Literacy Council:  St. James’ donated $1,655 to this organization dedicated to improving literacy in Loudoun County.  Parishioner Barbara Notar is Executive Director.

·         Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers:  $905 was given to provide assistance and services to help frail elderly and disabled adults maintain independent living.  Parishioner Nancy Sutton is the Executive Director.

 

National outreach activities and support included:

 

  • Boys’ Home:  $6,500 was donated from the Easter offering to provide opportunities for the young men residing at the Boys’ Home to develop mentally, physically, socially and spiritually.
  • Hurricane Katrina Relief:  St. James’ continues to contribute to Hurricane Katrina recovery.  During the course of the year, more than 30 adult parishioners from St. James’ went to New Orleans on two occasions to help with the ongoing recovery efforts organized by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana (EDOLA).  Eleven youth traveled to Gulfport, MS, to help in the recovery effort, as did 11 members of the 20s/30s Group.  We provided $12,000 to EDOLA to fund parishioner Pete Nunnally in his work as a full-time volunteer and $2,500 to the Diocese of Virginia’s Bishop’s Fund for Louisiana.  In addition, we provided $14,049 to fund adult mission trips to New Orleans and West Virginia, and youth and 20s/30s mission trips to Gulfport.  
  • Jackson-Feild Homes:  $6,500 was donated from the Easter offering, to provide opportunities for the girls residing at the Jackson-Feild Homes to develop mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually.
  • Shrine Mont:  Everyone who visits Shrine Mont is changed by the Shrine Mont experience.  We are blessed to have such a facility in our diocese.  This year, St. James’ contributed $5,300 to Shrine Mont, including $3,300 toward 2007 St. George’s Camp Scholarships.

 

International outreach activities and support included:

 

·         Bromley Mission:  $2,683 was provided to fund a mission trip to this residential school for girls in Liberia.  Parishioner Kimberly Haeringer took a mission trip to Bromley in November.

·         Episcopal Relief and Development:  St. James’ collected $2,157 from Lenten and Advent mite boxes to support ERD in 2007.

·         Heifer International:  Funds of $3,722 raised at the Alternative Gift Market (see below) were provided to this organization which helps end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability.

  • Operation Christmas Child:  We collected wrapped shoeboxes filled with new toys, art supplies, toiletries, clothing and hard candies for distribution to needy children around the world through Samaritans Purse.  This year’s program was kicked off the first day of Sunday School with an opportunity for the children to decorate a shoebox to take home and fill before our November collection.  This year, 130 boxes were collected. 
  • Solar Light for Africa:  St. James’ contributed a total of $7,198 toward this year’s effort to bring light to villagers via solar panels.  $$2,698 was collected as part of the Easter offering, and an additional $4,500 was contributed from the Outreach Committee budget.

 

Alternative Gift Market

 

The Alternative Gift Market takes place each year on the Second Sunday of Advent after each service and a self-service market is available in the Narthex afterward through the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  This year’s market included alternative gifts of Heifer International animals, handmade jewelry and hand carved animals from Bromley Mission, solar electrification through Solar Light for Africa, “Teacher Gifts” benefiting the Loudoun Literacy Council, “Not Just a Band-Aid” benefiting the Loudoun Community Free Clinic, and materials needed in the ongoing efforts to assist New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  We raised $14,269 for the various causes combined, more than double the amount raised last year.

 

Recipients of the 2007 Christmas Offering

  • Good Shepherd Alliance (local)
  • Loudoun Cares (local)
  • Loudoun County Adult Detention Center (local)
  • Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana (national)
  • Towel Ministry (national)
  • Solar Light for Africa (international)

 

 


Outreach: St. James’ Preschool

by Janet Stayrook

 

Ministry Head:  Matt Costello

 

Talent of the Ministry:  An outreach ministry that reaches 216 children in our community.

 

Mission:  The St. James’ Preschool is a ministry of St. James’ Episcopal Church.  Respecting the God-given worth of all children, the program has been designed to enable each unique child to be involved in a creative learning experience in a Christian atmosphere of love and acceptance.

 

The Preschool provides children with the opportunity to develop emotionally, socially, and spiritually in a group setting outside his home.  It is the first major step toward independence.  This is an opportunity for growth, fun, and learning – about themselves and God’s world – in relation to other children and to adults other than their parents.  This opportunity is provided in an environment especially equipped for and suited to the needs of the small child.  To foster closeness to God, the Preschool provides a short and meaningful weekly chapel service conducted by the clergy for our 3- and 4-year-olds.  Grace is said before snack time, and a brief prayer may be included in opening exercises.  Bible stories and religious songs are used in the classroom.  The music program and special enrichment classes also serve to teach children of the wonderful love of God.  We continue to provide scholarships to preschool families experiencing need for a variety of reasons.

 

2007 Highlights:  This year, our Preschool continued to be tremendously successful in outreach to our community.  Elaine Thiel and Janet Stayrook serve as the co-directors leading a staff of over 25 teachers whose love of, and commitment to, our children is apparent in their dedication to their profession.  The Preschool will begin actively enrolling for the 2008-2009 school year in February.  Our Preschool continues to strive to serve the community’s families with the same character and integrity as it has for more than 30 years.

 

 

Pastoral Care:  Healing Ministry

by Veronica Jones

 

Ministry Head:  Veronica Jones

 

Talent of the Ministry:  Prayer  -- complete faith in the power of prayer to heal!

 

Mission:  Our mission is to serve by offering healing prayers and providing the opportunity for the laying on of hands, and the anointing with holy oil to those who come to the Healing Rail.

 

2007 Highlights:  The Healing Ministry is growing and has had a very strong year.  We have continued to offer a once-a-month Extended Healing Rail opportunity, which has proved to be an extremely powerful experience.  The number of people served at the Rail continues to be strong this year.  We have also held our monthly meetings and continue to build a “sense of community” among our members.

 

 

Pastoral Care:  Intercessory Prayer Team

by Mary Pitz

 

Ministry Head:  Mary Pitz

 

Talent of the Ministry:  The Rev. Kate Bryant, Bonny Falk, Kirk Hawn, Jim Koshar, Molly Kronberg, Linda Lowe, Rachel Newell, Mary Pitz, Kathy Riedel, Mary Strum, Anne Tiffany, Linda Young

 

Mission:  Intercessory prayer is the action of prayer on behalf of another.

 

2007 Highlights:  Those who participate in intercessory prayer have a firm belief in what we have been told by Christ, our greatest intercessor, in Matthew 18: 19-20 “...Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  Members meet monthly to pray, and to review and update all requests submitted since the prior meeting.

 

 

Pastoral Care:  Pastoral Associates

by Judy Perso

 

Ministry Head:  Judy Perso

 

Talent of the Ministry:  Bettye Brake, Johanna Buttrum, Debbie Gegenheimer, Ann Hodges, Jim Koshar, Sandra Moody, Jan Pumphrey, John Riley

 

Mission:  To be instruments of the Lord in the parish and in the community.

 

2007 Highlights:  The St. James' Pastoral Associates had a successful year, continuing their ministry to the congregation and beyond.  Throughout the year, we made many visits to the homes and hospital rooms of parishioners, often bringing communion following Sunday service or at other times during the week.  We found many opportunities to offer support, whether in person, through a gift of food, or with a phone call.

 

Our group meets each month to share pastoral concerns, support each other in our ministries, and coordinate our efforts.  In addition, these meetings provide an opportunity to continue our education, nurture our understanding, and enhance our skills.  We welcomed several new members during the year, and are thankful for the fresh infusion of talent and interest.

 

We hosted a well-attended luncheon in June, focusing on the older members of the parish.  In addition, we hosted many receptions following funeral services held at the church, and a Christmas party for the Compassionate Friends group.

 

We have been active participants in the Grief Support Group, a ministry offered with The Rev. Bill Newland.  Meeting throughout the year twice each month, this group has had the opportunity to offer support to over a dozen people in 2007.

 

 

Discipleship:  Education for Ministry (EfM)

by Alecia Moroz

 

Ministry Head:  Alecia Moroz

 

Mission:  Every baptized person is called to ministry.  The EfM program provides people with the education to discern and carry out that ministry.  EfM participants learn to think theologically to help them see God’s movement in their lives.  A detailed study of the bible, Christian church history and other major philosophies provides participants with the theological foundation they need to understand and execute God’s call.

 

2007 Highlights:  As a result of a record number of graduations from EfM in 2006 (including 10 St. James’ parishioners), 2007 was a year for rebuilding the program.

 

The Monday night group led by Russ Cordner, St. Peter’s, and Diane Bell, St. Gabriel’s, continued to meet.  The group graduated three students in the spring of 2007, including our own Susie Harding.  The group now consists of five 3rd year students, two 2nd year students, and one 1st year student, representing a nice mix of members from St. James’, St. Peter’s and St. Gabriel’s.

 

Another new group was created in the fall of 2006 and met through the spring of 2007.  This group, led by Alecia Moroz, was St. James’s first day-time group.  First-year student, Jennifer Lassiter, also became certified as an EfM mentor and began co-mentoring the group in the spring.  The group continues to hold daytime meetings with two 4th year students and three 2nd year students.

 

New groups will be forming and openings will become available in the existing groups in the fall of 2008.  If you are called to pursue this serious form of theological study, contact Alecia Moroz for further information.  You cannot imagine the ways in which your life will be enriched by an experience in an EfM small group.

 

 


Discipleship:  Fellowship Events

By The Rev. Kate Bryant

 

Ministry Head:  Rosie Reh (through September 1, 2007); The Rev. Kate Bryant (acting)

 

Mission:

·         To reinforce a sense of connectedness among members of our parish family through social activities and events that foster fellowship;

·         To encourage new parishioners to feel welcome by creating and continuing a range of activities focused on hospitality; and

·         To enhance our fellowship events as a means for members to become more involved in other parish activities (“send us out to do the work God has given us to do”).

 

2007 Highlights:  St. James’ parishioners gathered for fellowship during the following 2007 events, each of which was a resounding success:

 

January:  Epiphany Burning of the Greens

February:  Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

May:  All-Parish Retreat and Wine-Tasting at Shrine Mont

June:  Bishop's Visit and Reception

July:  St. James’ Day Celebration

September:  All-Parish Ministry Fair and Oktoberfest

October:  Road Rally/Scavenger Hunt/Picnic and Annual Giving Campaign Victory Dinner

 

Each of these events required careful planning and thoughtful execution, but “many hands make light work,” and more than 50 parishioners have been called to this ministry.  Thanks to everyone who worked with us this year -- we couldn't have done it without you!

 

Among out goals for 2008 is to broaden our mission beyond fellowship—the experience of community, of care, and of life together among believers within the Christian community—to hospitality.  Hospitality is the welcoming of the stranger, providing care and support and welcome to those who are not already part of our St. James’ community.  But our primary goal is to identify a leader for this vitally important ministry, as well as additional ministry members.  We need you and your new ideas!  Please contact Rev. Kate at (703)777-1124 or kate@stjamesleesburg.org for more information.

 

 


Discipleship:  Sunday Coffee Hour Hosts

by Sheila Brooks, Kate Parse, and Freddie & Bill Martin

 

Ministry Heads: Sheila Brooks (7:45 service), Kate Parse (9:00 service), Freddie & Bill Martin (11:15 service)

 

Our Sunday coffee hours continue to grow along with the congregation.  Members look forward to visiting with fellow parishioners, welcoming newcomers, and enjoying refreshments provided by dedicated parishioners.  The hot coffee and the delicious food, brought in by parishioners, is always a wonderful addition to the conversations, and deeply appreciated!  We are truly blessed by the participation and attendance at our coffee hours.

 

 

Discipleship:  Foyer Groups

by Doug Corderman

 

Ministry Head:  Doug and Joan Corderman

 

Mission:  To make new friends and strengthen older relationships.

 

2007 Highlights:  The Foyer Groups at St. James’ are now in their seventh year.  Small groups of eight to ten people take turns hosting a meal in their home or elsewhere.  Each group sets its own schedule by consensus, typically meeting about once a month.  Meals do not have to be sit-down dinners; cookouts or buffets are fine.  The only expectation of participants is that you take your turn as host, (or co-host in some circumstances), and try to attend as many of the dinners within your group as possible.  About 50 people currently participate in Foyer Groups.

 

Groups are reorganized every six months so that participants get the chance to know as many others as possible.  Everyone is welcome, both couples and singles.  The only requirement is that you like to eat and make friends!

 

 


Discipleship:  Kids With Purpose

by Corinne Aycock

 

Ministry Heads:  Corinne Aycock, Terry Sue Bowman, Deanna Feddersen, Kate Parse

 

Kids With Purpose (KWP) is ministry at St. James’ that lets children serve actively in outreach.  The aim is to make outreach and service to others an everyday and lifelong activity.  Each and every week kids learn about a need and make a difference for a variety of charities/organizations, including the homeless shelter, women & children’s shelter, animal rescue league, senior centers, homebound individuals, Interfaith Relief, and more!  Many weeks are filled with walking field trips for younger children while older children will jump on a bus for their field trips.  The program is designed for children to learn about and share God’s love while actively serving real needs in Leesburg.

 

Eligibility: Children in the community who are four-years-old by September 30 through 5th grade are eligible. All children must be fully potty-trained.

 

Volunteers:  This program is entirely run by volunteers.  We have a variety of small, medium, and extra-fun roles available (including teaching), so please contact the ministry heads.

 

 

Discipleship:  Library

by Mary Pellicano

 

Ministry Head:  Mary Pellicano

 

Ministry Members:  Virginia Ewing, Alexandra Gressitt, Kennetta Russ, Susan Schweitzer, Pat Stevenson

 

Mission:  The Library Ministry is committed to the support of the educational, devotional, and recreational needs of St. James’.  To that end, the Library seeks to enhance the Christian formation program at St. James’ by providing materials and resources to serve staff and students involved in adult formation, Sunday School, Preschool, Nursery and other parish offerings.  In addition, the Library strives to provide reference resources, as well as fiction and non-fiction reading materials to aid in the spiritual development of individual parishioners, clergy, their families, and church ministries.

 

2007 Highlights: This year we have added more than 100 new titles to the library shelves, including many titles to support new and growing ministries.   Historical items from the parish and the community, including material from parishioner Betty Seccombe’s personal collection, have been acquired by the library for archival.  Our media collection continues to grow as well, with the addition of several popular videos, DVDs and audiocassettes.  A computer, dedicated to library use, is also located in the library and will facilitate cataloging of the collection as well as enable parishioners to search for books online.

 

Now in its sixth year, the Library’s monthly Book Club continues to grow increasingly popular as more parishioners use the Library as a resource for recreational reading.  Titles that have been discussed over the past year include bestsellers, biographies, non-fiction and classics.  The Book Club is open to all, and newcomers are encouraged to attend.

 

A weekly Children’s Story Time, sponsored by the Library, was offered during Advent for elementary-aged children.  Other children’s programs are being planned for next year.

 

Goals for 2008: Our goals for the upcoming year include completing the online card catalog and writing book reviews and recommendations for St. James’ monthly newsletter, Loaves & Fishes.  Additional plans for 2008 include sponsoring book sales, author visits, film screenings and other special programs designed to share Christ’s love and teachings through the written word. 

 

Suggestions and requests for particular materials are always welcome and actively solicited.  Please feel free to contact us if there is something you would like to see in your parish Library.

 

Wise men store up knowledge.

--Proverbs 10:14

 

 

Discipleship:  Nursery

by Dawn Stejbach

 

Ministry Head:  Dawn Stejbach

 

Mission:  To provide quality childcare in a loving and comfortable atmosphere to allow parents the opportunity to worship.

 

2007 Highlights:

·                     Registration at the nursery door to improve safety of children;

·                     Hand cleansing before entering the nursery;

·                     Strict enforcement of the child’s overall health before entering the nursery;

·                     Research new and improved pager system to improve parent communication during worship; and

·                     Additional staff hired in month of December to suit needs of the nursery.

 

 


Discipleship:  Newcomers Committee

by Ruth Blakeslee

 

Ministry Head:  Ruth Blakeslee

 

Talent of the Ministry:  Laura Butler, Chase Banks, Rob & Carol Chapman, Steve & Ruth Grubbs, Bob & Shirley Hall, Sharon Hammett, Brent Harding, Debbie Johnson, Charleen Price, Steve & Debi Mayo, Susan Moffett, Mary Ohmer, Evelyn Walsh, Janice Weber

 

Mission:  The Newcomers Committee is a group of friendly and active St. James’ members charged with seeing new ways to welcome newcomers and include them in church activities.

 

The St. James’ Newcomers Committee assist the parish in assuring that all visitors/newcomers are given a warm welcome and are introduced to new people.  Committee members assist with Newcomer coffees and at other event generally helping newcomers feel comfortable and assisted toward full participation in the life of St. James’.

 

2007 Highlights:  It has been another busy year welcoming newcomers to the St. James’ community.  We have mailed 64 letters inviting newcomers to the special coffees we organized for them on the first Sunday of every month (with the exception of January and December).  We had 57 attend our coffees this year.  Our coffees offer a time of socializing, meeting our clergy, Vestry, ministry heads, and parishioners wishing to attend as well as answering questions, giving out basic information about St. James’ and our activities, and, a brief tour of our rambling facility.  During this time, we attempt to offer suggestions to people or ministries where they might want to “connect.”  We held nine coffees this year, averaging six plus newcomers per coffee.  We also send a follow up note to all our guests.  It is gratifying to see many whom we have welcomed becoming regulars at worship and active in the St. James’ family.

 

Our mission statement says we “assist the parish” in welcoming newcomers.  Therefore, through articles in Loaves & Fishes, we have alerted the parishioners of the frequency of our having newcomers worshipping with us and have encouraged everyone to greet them with a friendly smile, a warm handshake and a sincere welcome to our community.  Statistics show how influential a positive first impression is for a new person who is searching for a sense of belonging and connectedness in a church community. So, remember while you are chatting with your friends to be alert to visitors and greet them, too.  We have also brought to the congregation’s attention that our Welcome Packets (placed near our Visitors Registers) contain basic information about St. James’ and Leesburg, and are to be given to all newcomers they meet.

 

Our coffees are open to all and we invite you to drop in and enjoy the experience of being one of the first to greet a newcomer - they are always impressed the diversity of our membership, our enthusiasm for St. James’, as well as our friendliness.  Do come - the more the merrier!

 

 

Discipleship:  Sunday School

by The Rev. Mary Davila

 

Mission:  To provide the children of St. James’, 3 years through 12th grade, with a Bible-based religious education that incorporates teaching about the Anglican tradition.

 

2007 Highlights:  Our Sunday School classrooms are bursting at the seams (literally!) with an average attendance of about 130 children and youth per Sunday.  Each of the classes is led by three teachers who serve on a rotating basis.  Three-year-olds through 5th graders use David C. Cook’s Anglican curriculum, and the Middle Schoolers use the Episcopal Church’s Living the Good News series. The Senior High group has been engaging in a Bible Study on Exodus.

 

Christian Overton stepped forward to be the “Sunday morning Sunday school leader,” and she has been an invaluable resource, serving as greeter, copy-maker, and snack-checker!  Christian handles the nuts and bolts of Sunday morning activities, and serves as an extra set of hands where needed.

 

Once again this year, St. James’ paired with Leesburg Presbyterian Church for Vacation Bible School (VBS).  Leesburg Presbyterian hosted the week-long program, and will do so again in 2008.  One hundred-twenty children between the ages of 4 and 10 participated in VBS, all singing songs, playing games, and hearing stories about God and God’s love.  Kim Albuerne headed up VBS for St. James’, and she was assisted by many volunteer teachers, craft leaders, and helpers from our church.  Several of St. James’ youth served as teen helpers.

 

 


Discipleship:  20s/30s Group

by The Rev. Mary Davila

 

The 20s/s 30s Group is beginning its second year of ministry in 2008, and what a great first year we had! Eleven of us went to Gulfport, MS, to assist with Katrina reconstruction. We joined other 20s/30s folks from St. Mary’s--Arlington, and had a wonderful experience. We also volunteered at the Holiday Coalition and participated in the Walk for Water in Leesburg. We hope to return to Gulfport in 2008 and to continue to be involved in local, hands-on outreach efforts. In addition to outreach, our primary focus is fellowship. We continue to have monthly group dinners, and in May, we are planning to host a dinner with St. James’ parishioners who were born in the 1920s/30s!  The 20s/30s group is also making a mark within St. James’, with many of our folks serving in other ministries such as youth group and choir. By in large, the group consists of new members of the church, but these folks are already making an impact in our community!

 

 

Discipleship:  Youth Groups

by The Rev. Mary Davila

 

St. James’ is blessed with a very large number of youth, youth being defined as Middle School (6th-8th grade) and Senior High (9th-12th) age children. We have two primary offerings for youth: Sunday afternoon youth group, and Wednesday night Pizza with a Purpose.

 

Middle School and Senior High meet separately every Sunday for an hour and a half, where we engage in fellowship, talk about faith, do hands-on community service, play games, and eat pizza!  We have taken dinner to the homeless shelter, watched and discussed movies, gone on ski trips, participated in the 30-hour famine and ropes courses, and hung out at Starbucks!  We have had lock-ins and trips to Shrine Mont, as well as played dodge ball and capture the flag, both perennial Youth Group favorites!

 

This year, we placed a special emphasis on youth outreach.  We held our first ever Middle School Outreach Camp in August, a week-long day camp.  We traveled to Capitol Hill, a therapeutic riding center in Middleburg, a potato harvesting farm in Woodstock, and Samaritan Ministry in Washington, DC, all to partake in hands-on outreach.  Ten of our Senior High Youth went to Valle Crucis, NC, for a week-long mission trip as part of the Towel Ministry program.  The youth helped with home repair, but more than that, their presence made a huge impression on the families with which they worked.  Eleven youth traveled to Gulfport, MS, to assist with Hurricane Katrina reconstruction, and many in that group are eager to return in 2008.  We also had youth who went to Africa as part of Solar Light for Africa.

 

Thanks to the organizational help of the women in the Wednesday night Spiritual Disciplines small group, St. James’ youth were able to assist with Interfaith Relief’s “Freeze Your Gizzard” race, the Holiday Coalition, and to lead an evening of craft-making at the Hebron shelter for women and children.  Youth are eager to be engaged in hands-on outreach, and the community certainly needs our helping hands!

 

Youth Groups simply could not happen without our dedicated leaders and parents who serve as chaperones and drivers.  We have three third-year youth leaders—Chris Gegenheimer, Ken Getty, and Janell Easter, four second- year leaders in Sarah and Eric DiPier, and Hannah and Gabe Neas. We welcomed Adam Modzelesky and Stephanie Allen into the fold this year!  The youth love them and week in and week out, they are there to challenge, encourage, and support the Middle and Senior High Schoolers.

 

Youth Group meets every Sunday, and during the week, our youth come together on Wednesday nights for Pizza with a Purpose.  “Pizza” is an opportunity to consider some of the most difficult questions of our faith, but we manage to have a great deal of fun as we tackle the tough issues of life and faith! This is an offering that has grown in umber every year.  We usually have about eight Middle School students per week and 15 Senior High youth.  “Pizza” is lead by Pastor Mary and Pastor Jeunée of St. Gabriel’s.

 

In May, Bishop Johnston confirmed 5 of our youth.  Pastors Mary and Jeunée led weekly Confirmation classes teaching lessons on Scripture, Church History, Faith in Everyday Life, and the Sacraments.  Our hope is that through the Confirmation program, the youths’ commitment to the Church and to their faith is reaffirmed and renewed.

 

We look forward to another great year of youth ministry at St. James’!

 

 


Discipleship:  Annual Giving Campaign Committee

by Jan Joseph

 

Ministry Heads:  Jan Joseph and Ken Getty

 

Talent of the Ministry:  Maureen Cameron, Lisa Hinchberger, Valerie Kelliher, Patti Kushner, Martha Rombach, Chuck Womack

 

Mission:  The goal of the 2007 Annual Giving Campaign was to help parishioners further connect the vision of St. James' with their own personal and spiritual journeys, encouraging them to increase their commitments of time, talent and treasure.  The campaign focused on:

·         Communicating current opportunities for increased commitments of time and talent;

·         Encouraging parishioners who pledged for the 2007 campaign to enhance their financial commitment to St. James’ by increasing the proportion of their income they give back to God in thanksgiving;

·         Encouraging non-pledging parishioners to make a written financial pledge for the first time; and

·         Communicating the current financial state of the church, and the additional financial needs for 2008.

 

2007 Highlights:  The committee members began meeting in June to prepare for the fall program. At this point, it was determined to be in the best interest to conduct a condensed/shorter campaign, due to the potential start of a capital campaign in December.  The campaign was kicked off in September with the Ministry Fair.  The Ministry Fair was Co-chaired by Valerie Kelliher, Patti Kushner and Lisa Hinchberger.  To celebrate the vibrancy of the parish, each ministry head carried a banner, representing their work, during the Processional at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services.  Again this year, the Fair was held at the old School Building, following each service.  It proved to be a very successful event, with many parishioners introduced to the wonderful ministries of the church, and a record number (over 100) signing up to become involved in these ministries.

 

Also in early September, every parishioner received an invitation to attend one of three receptions.  The hosts of these receptions were Steve and Lisa Krepich