Monthly Newsletter and Events
We put the “new” and the “news” in “newsletter”! There is a lot happening at St. James this fall. What follows is a summary of some of the many ways we are living our mission as an Episcopal church: to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ (The Book of Common Prayer 1979, page 855).
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Stewardship weekend: Today, the office is mailing our members the following: a 2026 giving statement as of the end of September; a letter updating everyone on our Capital Campaign; and a pledge form for 2027. We are asking our members to send us their pledge by “stewardship weekend” (November 14 and 15). Sending us your pledge by then will help us as we complete our 2027 budget. Extra copies of the pledge form are in the narthex.
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The James Gang meets on Tuesday, October 13 at Jake’s Eatery, 49 Cambridge Lane (just off Richboro Road) in Newtown beginning at noon. BYOW (bring your own wallet). This is a simple gathering for social time over lunch. RSVPs are helpful: contact Chris Parker cprk210@aol.com.
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St. Mark’s ministry, part 1: from soup to dessert – We resume our soup kitchen ministry with St. Mark’s Philadelphia on Saturday, October 17 visit. This time we are asking for brownies and bags of individually wrapped candy. For the brownies, we request that bakers use disposable pans that you don’t need returned. Also, leave the brownies uncut and covered with foil or plastic; this will make them easier to transport and keep them fresher. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex, or you can contact the church office. Drop off your items on Thursday, October 15 or Friday, October 16 between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. The sweet treat will change with each visit, so stay tuned. (Future visit dates: Saturday, November 14 and Saturday, December 5.)
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St. Mark’s ministry, part 2: blessing bags – This fall, the youth group will be filling "Blessing Bags" to deliver to St. Mark’s. They are asking for the following personal items: small or travel-sized shampoo, body wash or bar soap, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, tissues, toothpaste, deodorant (regular-sized deodorant is fine), toothbrushes, hand warmers, and lip balm. St. Mark’s can also use 1-gallon zip-lock storage bags. There is a container in the narthex for your donations. Thank you for your support of this important ministry.
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Mark your calendar for Langhorne Harvest Day: Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Langhorne Borough closes West Maple Avenue for craft vendors, local businesses, non-profit organizations, food trucks, and live music. This year, St. James Church will have a table in the festival that we will share with our Preschool. We’ll have giveaways and promote our great church. If you have questions, contact Edith in the church office. Stop by our booth on the 24th!
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Holy Cross Retreat in 2027 – St. James has reserved rooms at the Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York on the following dates: Friday, April 16 through Sunday, April 18, 2027. We accept reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Edith in the church office for pricing and registration information.
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Sunday school – Classes for ages 5-ish to 12-ish will be on the following Sundays during the 10:15 AM service: October 18, November 1 and 15, and December 6, 13, and 20; the December classes will be rehearsals for the Christmas pageant. Alyssa Toth will be our teacher this semester. If you have any questions, contact her at AlyssaLToth@gmail.com.
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Kid-friendly services feature simple hymns, a homily for children, and kid-pleasing refreshments during coffee hour. The services are scheduled for 10:15 AM on Sunday, October 25 and Sunday, November 22. Bring your kids, grandkids, your neighbor’s kids, any kids!
As a non-profit organization, our business meetings are open to the public. Here is the schedule for the next round of business meetings:
Finance and Property
Monday, October 19, 6:30 pm in the parish library and via Zoom
Monday, November 16, 10:00 am in the parish library and via Zoom
Vestry
Wednesday, October 21, 6:30 pm in the parish library and via Zoom
Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 pm in the church library and via Zoom
Parish Prayer list
HEALING: Bill T., the Cancila family, Carol Siegfried, Charlie, Charissa Zmuda, Darryl, Dennis, Gail Johnson, Gerard Ehrlen, Gary Schlecter, Gianna Corbo, Jeff McClure, Keith, Marcia Bower, Sue Brown, Shelly G. and Skip Lovejoy.
SPECIAL PRAYERS: Babe Sidman, Christopher, Doris Laino, Ginny Manning, Larry, the Redjal family, Ryan, Tim McCarthy, Zachary
EXPECTING NEW BIRTH: Kyle Cush & Jordan Hawkes
THANKSGIVING FOR NEW BIRTH: Parker Strobl, daughter of Erinn & Taylor Strobl
FAITHFUL DEPARTED: Gerry Mayall, The Reverend Greg Smith, Barbara Sellers
THE ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: Bermuda (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury), Provincial Treasurer: Mr. Cambell McBeath
ALTAR FLOWERS (dates, names of donors, and the faithful departed):
Oct 10-11 Eva Kozari in thanksgiving for family friends and neighbors
17-18 Alison Stanya Joseph Stanya, In memory of Rosemary Stanya, Madeline Brown. Helen Brown and Emily Fellman
Oct 23-25 Russ Mayall in memory of E. Russell Mayall, Evelyn Mayall, Eileen Mayall, Fracis Mayall, and Gerry Mayall
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DID YOU KNOW? On this day in history 140 years ago, the Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York Harbor.
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The Rev. Steve W. Caraway, pastor of University United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana, told his congregation: “I have good news and bad news about our pledges. Here’s the good news: we have reached our goal! Here’s the bad news: you still have them in your pocket.”
Sign-Up Genius links
Sign-up Genius is our online platform for volunteering: readers, Eucharistic Ministers, and Coffee Hour hosts. Contact Edith in the church office with any questions.
Pentecost: October 2026 (October 3 – 25):
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F48ACAF2DA2FD0-65560047-pentecost#/
Pentecost: November 2026 (November 1 - 22) :https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F48ACAF2DA2FD0-66077946-pentecost#/
