Happy anniversary, St. James! This weekend marks 100 years since the consecration of the extension that turned a country chapel into the Gothic Revival sanctuary we love today. It was designed by Hobart Brown Upjohn, grandson of Richard Upjohn, who designed Trinity Wall Street, and it reflected the growth of Scarsdale in the early twentieth century, and of our parish along with it. We're still grateful for this space, and on Sunday we'll offer prayers of rededication during the announcements. Please join us!

Churches only exist because of the boldness of the people who build them and the faith and energy of the people who sustain them. That faith and energy is one of the things that drew me to St. James. You can see it in the campaigns that brought us our Klais organ in 2017, expanded our parking lot last year, and we have more still to come!

Speaking of building: our Old Testament lesson this week tells the famous story of the Israelites making a golden calf while Moses is seemingly missing on Mount Sinai. Spoiler alert: God is not pleased. In my sermon, I'll wrestle with some questions this story raises for me, like where God is, and what we reach for when God feels absent.

Also this weekend, Mo. Storm, Deacon Wendy, and a group of parishioners will be in Western NY on a pilgrimage with Rural & Migrant Ministry, seeing up close their work with migrant farm workers and the support this vital ministry offers. Please keep them in your prayers for safe travels and a meaningful trip. We'll hear their stories when they get back.

See you Sunday,

Daniel+

Thursday Choral Evensong, 6:30 - 7:00 pm

Thursday Choristers 5:00 pm (2nd-8th graders) and Adult Choir, 7:00 pm

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

Saturday to Monday: Rural and Migrant Ministries Pilgrimage

Saturday Morning: St. James Fordham Pantry, 8:30 am

Sunday Services 9:00 and 10:30 am

Children's Chapel at the 10:30 AM Service

Preacher and Celebrant: The Rev. Daniel Bentley

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.

Church School is now Children's Chapel, and takes place Sundays (with the exception of this Sunday) at 10:35 am. 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 talked about St. Francis of Assisi, his propensity to make rash vows, and what we might learn from his courageous abandon. From the sermon:

One thing in there that stood out [in Chesterton's biography of Francis] was this line, which I wanted to share with you: “Never was any man so little afraid of his own promises. His life was one riot of rash vows, of rash vows that turned out right.”

It’s a thin line between being rash, and answering the call of the Spirit quickly before we miss our chance. Because the Spirit moves fast. It doesn’t tarry. The word rash is actually related to an old Norse word meaning “brave,” or “vigorous.” And in that sense, Chesterton is right. Francis was brave, and vigorous, and never missed a chance to follow the Spirit’s call...

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.

Join us for our annual Historic Graveyard Tour, Halloween Party, and Haunted House! New this year to kick-off the festivities is the Thrills and Chills organ concert at 5! All are welcome to get your spook on & learn about various personages in our graveyard in this really fun event for all ages. Don't forget your costume!

All Saints' Sunday is November 1, and it's our custom to print and read aloud the list of our deceased loved ones and those in our parish who have recently died. You can add names to the necrology until Wednesday, October 28, at the link below. 

“Intimate, immaculately fashioned” -The New York Times

Join us for an intimate evening of chamber music by the renowned Helicon Ensemble on Friday, November 6th at 7pm.  They will present their program “Children of Orpheus: Music before 1800”. Their 2026-27 season also includes performances at Caramoor, The Baryshnikov Arts Center and The Frick. A great opportunity to hear them at St James!

Click the button below for more information and tickets. Advance ticket purchase recommended!

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

Wednesday October 21: Pageant Parent Meeting, 8:00 pm ONLINE

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

Sunday November 1: All Saints' Sunday at both services

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.