Dear Parishioners--whew! We made it through a busy but satisfying weekend last week, with Father Daniel's ordination and his first Sunday at the altar! Thanks to those who came out to support him, and do check out the pictures on our social media pages, linked below.

I'm feeling so fortunate to be surrounded by all these talented clergy here at St. James. Also find, linked below, a recent article featuring the Rev. Michelle Howard, one of our assisiting priests whose day job is Program Director at the Osborne Association. Mo. Michelle was recently involved in a real estate project/partnership in Chelsea that will serve formerly incarcerated women--but the story behind it, and the belated justice of it, is inspiring and beautiful. 

Speaking of talented clergy: this Sunday we also welcome Deacon Wendy to St. James! Wendy is a "transitional deacon," meaning she's in the process of becoming--this time next year--a priest. Add to that the return of our choir this Sunday, and we're going to have a festive service and full altar.

To top it all off is our "Welcome Sunday" picnic after the 10:30 service.. We'll have a hot dog truck, some sides (please please sign up below), and outdoor games for the kids. Rain or shine, but pray for some good weather!

Can't wait to see you all, and do check out all the events, current and upcoming, for this month and next below! - Your Faithful Clergy

Friday Morning Prayer Online, 9:00 am (at our Youtube Channel)

Sunday Services 9:00 (outdoors) & 10:30 am (indoors)

Children's Chapel 10:30 am

Preacher: The Rev. Astrid Storm; Celebrant: The Rev. Daniel Bentley

Welcome Picnic with Hot Dog Truck! 11:45 am (rain or shine)

Our annual fall celebration of coming together again, and welcome to newcomers. Join us for service at 10:30, followed by lunch in the churchyard with a hot dog truck! All welcome. Great for kids, and all ages. Invite friends and neighbors!

Every week we post some great pics of our life together on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Be sure to check those out! In this week's: ordination pictures from last Saturday (congrats again to Father Daniel), and a recent piece in the NYTimes describing a project of the Rev. Michelle Howard, our Assisting Priest whose day job is Program Director of the Osborne Association. St. James is out and about, and we're so proud of the work of all our clergy!

Church School is now Children's Chapel. More than a new name (and mascot! pictured above), this is a fresh way for our youngest members to worship together during the first part of our Sunday Holy Communion service. Kids will gather for a short, joyful liturgy filled with prayer, song, and stories from the Bible—then dive into hands-on formation activities that bring the day's lesson to life.

Children's Chapel will be led by our High School interns, with support from our clergy. Victoria, our music director, will be teaching our Cherubs a new song each month to be shared at the 10:30 am. service!

Children's Chapel takes place during the first half of the 10:30 am service. Everyone begins worship together, with the kids leaving after the opening Collect and returning for Communion.

In last Sunday's sermon, Mo. Storm explorers our overly-scrupulous--crushing, even--standards of forgiveness, and sets those against Jesus' teachings. How does forgiveness really happen for all but the most virtuous saints--and perhaps even for them? And what can we learn from that? Taken from Jesus' teaching in Matthew's Gospel that we ought to forgive "Not seven, but seventy-seven times." From the sermon: 

We’re so wrapped up in this idea that forgiveness, in order to be genuine, has to go with forgetting. That forgiveness, in order to be real, has to be big, and effective, a one-time declaration that really takes, and the way we know it takes is that we then forget the offense, let it go, forever and always. It’s a crushing standard. And it’s not the way it works with most people I know. It’s probably not even the way it works with the people whose huge acts of forgiveness we hold up. I wonder if this is what Jesus is getting at in today's reading.

Did you know we gather every Wednesday morning for a simple, 25-minute mid-week service? It's a great way to refresh or reset yourself spiritually. All welcome. Drop in as you can. Led by the clergy, and followed, for those who wish to join us, by an informal Bible Study. Absolutely no prior knowledge of the Bible needed.

Welcoming all! Spiritual Threads provides a space to reflect on our lives together. Bring whatever craft you're working on, or just come enjoy the conversation. Whether you knit, crochet, quilt, needlepoint, or just like being around people who do, we'll all explore our spirituality and develop new friendships. No RSVP needed, but feel free to email the office if you have any questions or would like to be put in touch with the group leader. We meet in the Rector's Office at the church--follow the signs.

Join us to celebrate Cheryl Smith, who retired this year as director of our nursery school. Cheryl has been a gift to our St. James and wider community in her service to our school. Come express your appreciation in the company of fellow parishioners. Hosted by Tom and Ocean Finlan. See the link below to bring something and for the address. Hope you can make it!

The Fordham Pantry is a great way for the whole family to get involved in helping others in our area. Volunteers pack 300+ grocery bags for the food-insecure in the neighborhood of our partner parish, St. James Episcopal Church in Fordham. To be added to the email distribution list for this ministry (where you'll receive reminders and occasional updates), click the button below and we'll add you to our list.

Our parking lot is finished, and exceeds expectations--in appearance, usability, improvement to drainage. Now we get to turn to the other two projects we prioritized as a parish back in 2023: the Great Hall, and HVAC system. Come hear from our Renew and Revitalize Task Force, which meets faithfully every month to make sure we're on track. Ask questions, see renderings of the Great Hall, and enjoy a simple lunch with fellow parishioners.

All are welcome to join us as we make a trip into the city to feed the homeless. If you can't make it physically, you can also make a contribution to the cause at the link below. This is program in coordination with the Westchester-based "Midnight Run" organization. Youth and children are welcome and encouraged to participate with their families. To learn more or sign up to attend or send something, click the link below.

Saturday October 3: Parents of Young Children Gathering, 10:30 am

Sunday October 4: Blessing of the Animals, both services

Sunday October 4: Breakfast Run to NYC Feeding the Homeless, 6:30 am

Sunday October 4: Red Door Explorers (5th & 6th Grades), 5:30 pm

Sunday October 18: First Confirmation Class (7th Grade and up), 5:30 pm

Sunday October 25: Graveyard Tour, Kids' "Thrills and Chills" at the Organ, and Halloween Party, 5:00 pm

You can view this Sunday's bulletin at the link below. Names of all readers, servers, and acolytes are always listed on the last page of the bulletin. Readings are also there for readers to view in advance.