PRAYER CONCERNS
Family of Tom Weiss, Mike & Annie & family, Don & Esther, Kaylee, Audrey, Dawn K., Richie, Mark & Teri & Family, Curt, Tim & Bernice, Frances, Gabe & Edna, Paul & Sue, Trudy, Cathy, David & Linda, Tom, Paula & family, Kristopher, Bruce, Irene, all service men and women serving at home and abroad.
Please contact the church office if you would like to place someone on the prayer list.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
February 7 – Cheryl & Mitt Proffit
February 12 – Dic Pickett
February 14 – Sarah Tuel
February 29 – Mark & Cathie Helland
Greetings St. James,
Happy Valentine’s Day! A big thanks to everyone that attended the annual meeting. The mission at St. James is not carried out by a few but by all who support and celebrate the mission at St. James. It is the collective time, talents, and treasure contributed that keep the mission at St. James alive in Fergus Falls, and in Minnesota. As you pray and reflect in the month of February, please include the following questions:
“Do I hear a call for myself?”
“How am I being called to the mission at St. James?”
“What does the Spirit call me to do, learn, or contribute to His mission?”
As I contribute to the daily mission at St. James, can I shift my level of time, talent, or treasure?”
Our mission at St. James is to proclaim the Kingdom of God.
We will strive for a loving, Christ-centered community, which will accept all people. We hope to be a Christian witness in the Fergus Falls community by caring for a person’s mind, body, and soul. Our help in all we do comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
SHROVE TUESDAY
Please join St. James for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 21, starting at 5:00 pm. Also there is a wonderful Lenten series planned for every Wednesday through Lent. This series will begin on February 29, with a presentation by our convention representatives Llew Adams, Kris Bauer, and I on the Episcopal Church in Minnesota Mission for 2012. The four following Wednesdays will focus on prayer. Soup and a sandwich will be provided along with an Evening Prayer service beginning at 5:30pm. Please mark your calendar!
Total Ministry Update:
The Total Ministry Team met in January with Reverend Sandi Holmberg. The purpose of this meeting was to continue the process of completing their applications as members of the Total Ministry Team. Please keep the team in your prayers of support as they continue the formation process.Total Ministry Team Mentor/Contracted clergy services:
An Episcopal priest has been identified as being a possible candidate for this position. An informal meet and great session is being planed with this person. In addition, the Reverend Sandi Holmberg has had conversation with the ELCA Northwest Synod exploring possible candidates as well. The ELCA Northwest Synod thought they would have a lease two candidates that would be interested in the combined position.Please do not hesitate to contact any Vestry member regarding any pastoral needs, questions, or concerns that you may have. St. James welcomes and invites you to join God’s mission.
Peace,
Kristin Tuel, Senior Warden
ECW NEWS – Edna Hermes
The ECW will not be meeting in the months of February and March. We are scheduling for the Lenten soup & sandwich meals to be held: 2/29, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, and 3/28. Please contact Edna via email if you are able to help out!!
Vestry Corner
The following are highlights from the Vestry meetings held on Jan. 16th and Jan. 22nd.A $6000 grant from the Floyd & Harriet Miller Endowment Fund was received. Total Ministry update: moving forward with TM team meetings and search for mentor/priest.Discussion was held regarding regarding possible ELCA mentor/priests available in the area.Vestry approved nominations for Vestry, Sr. Warden, Jr. Warden, Region 1 / Diocesan Delegate & Alternate Delegate.A Wish list will be presented at the Annual Meeting.A new funeral policy and wedding policy were presented and approved.Minutes from the Worship Commission meeting were presented and approved.A brief survey will be presented at the Annual Meeting. This was requested by the Worship Commission.The Vestry approved the purchase of a new computer for the secretary’s office. Mark & Roger will work on the purchase.The budget as presented on 1/22 was approved.NEXT MEETING: Feb. 20th at 5:00pm.
Church Family News…
Thank you to our faithful celebrants: Rev. Dana Emery, Rev. George Schulenberg, and Rev. Noel Rich, We are very blessed to have several supply priests/pastors that willingly share their time with us!
Thank you, also, to our musically gifted music ministers; our regular organist, Deborah Embretson and subs Carol Andstrom and Mark Helland (also on guitar). Mark has also blessed us with several special music offerings over the past months.
Please contact Sandy Richards or the church office if you know of someone needing a card.
Keep an eye on the bulletin boards for upcoming events.
A special thank you to all who helped with the Annual Meeting!
If you have any information to put in the “Church Family News”, please get it to the office by the 26th of each month.
Women’s Book Club
The Women’s Book Club is meeting on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm at the church. All women are welcome! Books are selected by the participants. If you have any questions, contact Donna Pickett or Kris Bauer.
Dear Friends at St. James,
We want to say than you for the cards, and prayers, and hospital visits last September. Don’s lymphoma is not curable but treatable, and now he is feeling quite well, and is back to normal. It is a wonderful thing to be held up in prayer.
Don and Esther Peterson
Bulletin change:
You may have noticed that there is an addition to the bulletin. Illuminations have been added for each reading. Illuminations are concise introductions to each Sunday and holy day lesson that help the congregation focus on the readings they are about to hear. They are produced by The Living Church Foundation. If you have any comments regarding this change, please talk to one of the Worship Commission members. Your input is appreciated. Worship Commission members include: Llew Adams, Linda Waring, Kristin Tuel, Deb Embretson, Cheryl Proffit, and Carrie Beithon.
If you would prefer to receive the newsletter via email, please contact the church office at stjames@prtel.com or 736-6736.
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