St. James' snow policy is simple-

We never cancel services.
 
However, you should always use your best judgment, and never take a weather-related risk to get here.

  Dear E-pistle subscriber,
 
This week's epistle is a day later because we - your clergy and lay representatives Dottie Brannock, Henry Stribling, and John Tello - were attending the Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia yesterday and a half day today. We join over 260 clergy and 270 lay representatives of each parish in the Diocese for this day and a half conference each year. 
 
The biggest news coming out of this year's Council was that Bishop Lee announced that he'll be retiring on October 1st of this year. 
 
While we all knew that eventually Bishop Lee would retire - that's why he called for an election of a Bishop Coadjutor several years ago, and that's why we elected, two councils ago, the Rev. Shannon Johnston to succeed him - Bishop Lee's announcement was a bit of a surprise to most of us. 
 
Part of the reason Bishop Lee decided to move his retirement up by at least four months is financial: with giving to the diocese down this year due in part or mostly to the recession, he wanted the Diocese to be able to save ¼ of the cost of having a Diocesan Bishop in 2009, thus freeing up more resources for other diocesan ministries.  
 
And so Bishop Lee will end his ministry in the Diocese of Virginia on the same note he's struck for over 25 years as our leader: selfless dedication to the greater good of the church. 
 
We'll be in great hands with Bishop Johnston once he takes over in October, but at the same time, Bishop Lee will leave a huge hole - not only here in the Diocese, but around the world wide Anglican Communion of which the Diocese of Virginia is a vital part, and in which he is deeply respected as a bridge-builder. And in an age in the Anglican Communion when many seek to tear things down rather than build things up, bridge-builders like Bishop Lee will be even more missed.
 
If you want to get a feel for Council and watch a small clip about Bishop Lee's announcement, click here  (And yes, that's our own Keith Stroud (representing her own church, Grace Episcopal Church, the Plains, shown in the background in the opening worship scene!) 
 
Another important and very exciting thing that happened at council involves one of our own parishioners here at St. James'. 
 
Each year, the Diocese awards the "Happy Pullman Award," which honors the work of an individual in the areas of community service and outreach ministry. Keeping in mind that there are over 80,000 baptized members and 424 clergy in 38 counties of central, northern and northwestern Virginia - that's 181 congregations, six schools, two diocesan centers, and six diocesan homes from which the award can be made - even being considered for the Happy Pullman award is an honor. 
 
Well, this year, the award went to our own Kimberly Haeringer, who has travelled twice to Liberia, Africa - the first time with Pastor Mary and six youth from St. James' to install solar light panels and the second time in late 2008 to build a case for resurrecting the Bromley Episcopal Mission School for Girls. 
 
As you may recall, the Bromley School, like so much of Liberia, was devastated by Liberia's 14-year civil war. You may also recall that this Christmas Eve at the 3:30 and 5:30 services, the Nativity story was told in the words of those same Bromley School girls - and what a powerful reminder their words were that Christmas, and the Christian faith in general, is about incarnation - the en-fleshment, of the Love of God. 
 
And so what happy news it was that Kimberly's efforts to incarnate, to live out, the love of God in Liberia were acknowledged in this special award. You can read more about Kimberly's efforts and the Bromley Episcopal Mission Schoolhere. 
 
The other important things that took place at Council were, for me, the intangibles: the (oddly rare) opportunity to simply worship - to be fed; to hear meditations and sermons and to receive communion; the chance to hear, from our Bishops, the vision they see for the diocese; the chance to catch up on old friendships and develop new connections. 
 
This Council, like so many others, was a good reminder that you and I, as Episcopalians, are part of a larger body: the Diocese of Virginia, which itself is part of a larger church: the Episcopal Church, which itself is part of a wider Communion: the Anglican Communion, which - most importantly - is part of the Body of Christ, which is comprised of Christians living in every place at every time. Thanks be to God. 
 
See you Sunday - and I hope you plan to attend the first of the Adult Forum classes that the Rev. Donald Goodness' is teaching, "Episcopalians and.." - it starts tomorrow at 10:10 a.m. in the Parish Hall. 
 
Fr. John 

Coming to Adult Forum... 

Fr. Goodness begins a five-part Adult Forum series entitled "Episcopalians and..." on Sunday.  Fr. Goodness will discuss Episcopalians' relationship with the Bible and other topics. Come and renew your faith. 10:10 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

Youth Missions Super Bowl Subs
 

Support Youth Mission at St. James':    Support Youth Mission at St. James':  Purchase Super Bowl Subs! The Super Bowl kicks off on Sunday, February 1. The youth of St. James' will make subs at Deli South and have them available for pick up between 12:00-4:00 p.m. at the  restaurant. All orders must be placed by Sunday, January 25. 

Click here for your order form!

Youth Groups

Pastor Mary (703)777-1124 mary@stjamesleesburg.org

Middle School and Senior High will duke it out in bowling on Sunday! Meet at the Village Lanes on Catoctin Circle from 1:00-2:30 p.m. If you are able, please make an offering of $5 for shoes and lanes.

Sunday, February 1, is our Super Bowl sub-making extravaganza!Youth will make subs at Deli South as a mission trip fundraiser. Senior High and 8th graders will work from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., and 6th and 7th grade from 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. We can also use a few helping hands from 1:00-4:00 p.m. To sign up, contact Pastor Mary at (703)777-1124 or mary@stjamesleesburg.org.
 
Senior High Ski Trip! We will ski at Bryce Mountain on February 7-8, staying at the Douglas' house! We will leave at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and return by 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $75 for ski/snowboard rental, and lift tickets. To sign up, contact Pastor Mary.
 
Middle School Ski Trip! February 27-March 1. We will stay at Ken and Bonnie Getty's condo, and ski at Timberline, located in Canaan Valley, WV. We will depart after school on Friday and return by 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $150, and as always, scholarships are available! To sign up, contact Pastor Mary.
 

Getting Connected
 

Offering Envelopes:  For those of you who have requested boxed sets of offering envelopes for 2009, they are available for pickup from the table in the back of the Nave.  Please make every effort to pick them up by Wednesday, February 18, when they must be moved to the Finance Office to make room for Lenten materials.  If you did not previously request envelopes but would like a set, contact Sheri Nelson, Financial Administrator, at sheri@stjamesleesburg.org or (703)777-1124.

Divorce Care:  If you are experiencing the pain of a divorce, or have recently been through a divorce, please join Rev. Kate and others on Sunday, January 25, at 5:00 p.m. at Evelyn Walsh's home.  All are welcome.  Contact Rev. Kate at kate@stjamesleesburg.org or (703)777-1124 for directions or more information.

39 and Holding:  Parishioner Cindy Backus continues the monthly yoga for beginners class.  The next class will be held on Wednesday, January 28 at 12:30 p.m. in the Janney Parlor (note change in location).  Anyone over 39 is welcome.  There is no cost to participate.

Join the St. James' Book Club on Thursday, February 12, when we discuss Nicole Krauss's hauntingly beautiful novel, The History of Love, at 7:00 p.m. in the Janney Parlor.  All are welcome!  Please bring a snack or beverage to share.  Contact Mary Pellicano through the Church Office at (703)777-1124 for more information.  Mark your calendars for our March 12 meeting, when we'll discuss Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace, One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson.

St. James' Preschool 2009-2010 registration deadline for parishioners is February 13.  Contact the Preschool office for more information at (703) 777-8439.