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November 2015 The Rev. M. Carl Lunden, Rector
Annual Christmas Fair, 10 am-3 pm, November 21
Social Media, a false Connection? From the Rector In most college Introduction to Philosophy courses the topic of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
almost invariably comes up in discussion. Found in Plato’s Republic, it is a story about what is real
and what is unreal. Plato has Socrates describe a gathering of people who have lived chained to the
wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall
from things passing in front of a fire behind them, and they begin to give names to these shadows.
The shadows are as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality. He then explains how the philoso-
pher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the
wall do not make up reality at all, for he can perceive the true form of reality rather than the mere
shadows seen by the prisoners.
I recently went with my wife to the Walkway Over The Hudson which is a historic
steel cantilever rail road bridge spanning the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie, New York, on the
east bank and Highland, New York, on the west bank. It was turned into a pedestrian and cyclist
walkway and State Park in 2009. It has spectacular views of the Hudson River, especially now with
the autumn colors. It is a very intense experience seeing the pure scenic beauty of the landscape and
river. I just wanted to look all around and take it in. As we walked across the bridge, I also couldn’t
help notice many young people (Millennials) with eyes glued to their smartphones totally unaware of
where they were and the physical beauty all around them! Entranced with their 4g network, unaware
of even the other people present. It was at that moment that the metaphor of the Cave and these poor
young people trapped in a false reality of social media struck me. Like the shadows that bounce off
the cave walls, we are lulled into a false or ersatz sense of reality by the lights of our mobile screens.
Many say that social media and the technology behind it have linked people in an intimate way, con-
nected people around the world in a more profound way than ever in human history. I’m not so sure.
I wonder is it a real connection?
I came across a book a few years ago that was a reprint of the diary of a school girl in upstate
New York in the 19th century. Caroline Cowles Richards recorded a wide range of experiences from
daily life to events on the national scene, including the Civil War. Yet it is her ordinary and everyday
life insights that make her dairy worth reading in our own day and time. An unedited section of her
original manuscript enumerates a dizzying and unrelenting round of calling on neighbors and friends.
Email: [email protected]
Web-site: www.stjamesgoshen.org
The Tower Chimes The Newsletter of
saintJames’ Episcopal Church + Goshen, New York
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
She and her family did this on a daily basis, with the general exception of Sunday which was re-
served for Church and rest at home. These daily visits would last only a few minutes – long
enough to extend an invitation to tea for later in the day or show off a new photograph or share a
letter. If we consider that 19th century communication was limited to the written word or face-to-
face discourse, it becomes clear why Caroline, her family and friends spent so much time each day
making calls on others. Jump ahead to our age of social media and all that has been lost to non-
dimensional human connections.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle said that “Man is by nature a social animal.” We are social
not just in the trivial sense that we like human company, and not just in the obvious sense that we
each depend on others. We are social in a more existential way: to exist as a normal human being
requires interaction (relationship) with other people in concrete ways. There is a longing in the hu-
man heart to be in intimate relationship with other human beings. In a study done by the Interna-
tional Center for Media & the Public Agenda, college students reported feeling addicted to social
media such as Facebook and even facing anxiety and depression when asked to refrain from using
them. When it comes time to face reality, we’re more inclined to immerse ourselves in a world of
virtual friends and perfect images, leaving us with less time to experience real life. Experiencing
real life, people, places, and yes, the messiness and imperfection of them, interestingly is what ful-
fills us. It is like Morpheus in the movie The Matrix: we need to take the red pill and see the reality
of things. Social media, rather than connecting us, has been shown to drive our sense of loneliness.
Studies have shown that people who use Facebook often tend to be more depressed afterwards be-
cause they feel inadequate compared to their friends. All social media, Facebook, Twitter, Insta-
gram, etc., does not establish emotional connections or lasting intimate relationships between peo-
ple. We’re making ourselves lonelier by continuing to believe that real relationships can come
from a simple “add friend” button and that we can really know someone just by what they post
online.
Now this is not to say that all social media is bad. It is only bad when it replaces real flesh
and blood social relationships in favor the false world of illusion of connection. We are becoming
less connected to each other through the superficial artifice of technology compared to Caroline
Cowles Richards, who in 19th century Canandaigua, New York, created a rich tapestry of friends
and deep interpersonal relationships by daily visits and real human contact. I suppose I sound like
a Luddite, not that I am anti-technology, but I am wary of anything that diminishes our core hu-
manity and takes away our freedom as made in the image and likeness of God. Young people to-
day, and even older ones, are turning away from Church and all concrete social realities in favor of
this fake world of connection. In his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American
Community, Robert Putnam reports that Americans are becoming more isolated from one another
as attendance has decreased in clubs and community service organizations, including the church.
The advent of the Internet enables us to pretty much do most things on our own by tapping on a
few keys. We don't need to go to a physical store for a lot of our shopping, nor do we need to even
be present in a classroom to get an education, which means we never have to interact with poten-
tially helpful clerks or stodgy professors. Perhaps we think that online connection is smarter,
cleaner and less messy than joining groups and really connecting to “other” people, the type we’re
not so sure we want to connect to.
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November 2105
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
In the United States, the Pew Research Center has calculated that 59 percent of young peo-
ple ages eighteen to twenty-nine with a Christian background have dropped out of Church. Even
older adults are dropping out and attending and participating in Church less every year. The spec-
ter of technology as a replacement for real human community is certainly part of the decline in
church membership and an active Christian life with other Christians. And if we think that we are
going to find “community” through social media we are as deluded as the cave dwellers of Plato’s
cave.
As we observe the looming decline of the protestant mainline church (of which the Episco-
pal Church is part) I can’t help but think that the message of God’s love and new life in Christ is
best conveyed through the real, untidy, disordered, and flawed human interpersonal relationships
that only happen in real time by being a participating member of a community. In other words, we
need each other as we are: it is at the core of our humanity assumed in Christ’s Incarnation. We are
all operating on the false assumption that church needs to be perfect in order to spread the gospel
or connect people to God. We need to remember that the church is a human institution made holy
(whole) by the gift of grace. It is a process by which we are working out our salvation with grace
in spite of our human brokenness. It is an experiential journey that we have to take together with-
out the degrees of social distance that are created in the digital realm and virtual reality that is
found in social media. The church is not a false connection. It is not easy, or perfect, or neat, but it
is real. Jesus said that he came to give us life, life to the full! Full human life is found in communi-
ty. Real community grounded in Christ is what the church is all about.
Fr. Carl+
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November 2105
If you need to talk with Father Carl he is available
either at the Parish Office 294-6225 or the Rectory 615-1330
Please feel free to call him any day in the week for any pastoral reason.
Father Carl is in the Parish Office:
Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
THE CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
FUNDRAISER IS COMING If you would like to place a poinsettia on the Altar in thanksgiv-
ing or in memory of a loved one for the Christmas Celebration,
the order forms will be in the Bulletin starting on November
22nd. Orders must be in by December 13th. The cost will be $10
each. An additional donation towards the Greening of the
Church would be welcome. This fundraiser will benefit the
Youth Group.
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November 2015
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
November Greeters Schedule 2015:
Xxxx x
The Tower Chimes is the official monthly
publication of St. James’
Episcopal Church.
Rector Deacon Tom Liotta
Minister of Music
VESTRY
Debby Brown, Warden
Ed Connor, Warden
Dona Ash
Jessica Ann Sutton
Wayne Wilson
Val Bynum
Malcolm Diaz
LuAnn Haviland
Scott MacMillin
Nan Gill-Wilson
Mac Makuen
Jerre Coleman,
Treasurer
Kathy Martin-Brown
Clerk of the Vestry
Altar Flowers for November 2015
1 Fogarty
8 Thorley
15 Wasmund/Wilson
22 Hamilton
29 Strobl
Weekly Bible Study
Tuesdays at 7pm
In the Chapel
Only Nov. 3,10, 17
We will be reading the
Gospel of Matthew
10:30 A.M. November 1 -Kathy Martin Brown November 8 - LaWahna Search November 22 - Scott & Sharon Stark November 29 - Florence Stoveken December 6 - Chris Tippin
- Jackie Kessler
9A.M. November 1 - Barbara Killenberger November 8 - Jerry Killenberger November 15 - Linda Nichols November 22 - Diane Rainey November 29 - Jan Ptak December 6 - Meg Strobl
The greeters look forward to welcoming you to services on Sunday. This November you will be welcomed by the following greeters:
Recently Baptized
at Saint James’
Avary Sposato
Felicia Sgambati
Cameron Quackenbush
Tyler Dworetsky
Kylee Olivero
Titus Pagan
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November 2015
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
Step One Hmm, let’s see, where do I start? Have you ever muttered
those words out loud before you started a project? Maybe
staring at the box with the new gas grill waiting to be as-
sembled?? Looks like a lot of parts! How do we get start-
ed? Where to we begin? Christmas is not that far off, do
you remember when the kids were young and you asked,
“Where do I start?” with the toys that needed to be put to-
gether?
So, what is our first step? Where are the directions that
say, “Step 1?” They usually exist, but isn’t it just so diffi-
cult to open up those tedious directions and read them from
start to finish? Oh come on, it’s just a child’s toy we’re try-
ing to put together, do I really need all these direc-
tions? Some of you may be smiling now as you think back to the times when after several unsuccessful
attempts, you returned to the directions, unfolded them and started the task over again at….Step 1.
There are so many things that come our way in life that can easily spin us around, leaving us with a
lack of direction of where to go next. We’re faced with decisions all day long, and many of the choices
we make are significant and can lead to major changes in our lives. So when we come upon these
times, where do we start? We know one thing for sure, we won’t find a folded piece of paper with
small print providing directions for us on what decision we should make. There just won’t be a “Step
1” pointing us down the right path in life, although sometimes we may wish it was that easy.
Well, we may not find a set of directions that come along with all of our life decisions, but that’s OK,
we actually have something better. What if we could speak to Someone who always knew exactly
what was best for us, already knew the outcome of our decisions and never steered us wrong when we
asked for help? Well, through prayer, that is exactly what Jesus can do for us.
Jesus sets the direction for our lives when we put our complete trust and faith in Him. Regardless of
how overwhelmed, lost or hopeless we may feel at times, Jesus can redirect our lives. Looking for
Step 1 is never a mystery when we have the Lord in our hearts. As we face into the tough decisions in
our lives, the first step is always to stop, pray and listen. Jesus then sends us His Holy Spirit to point
us in the direction we need to go, or not to go.
Our lives can become very complicated, and the next decision is waiting for us right around the cor-
ner. To live our lives with confidence that we’re heading in the right direction, we need to turn to Je-
sus and ask Him where to begin, no matter what we’re faced with, asking for His help is always Step
One!
Have a Blessed week,
Dom Perfetti
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November 2015
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
ANGEL TREE OUTREACH
We will be once again assisting Safe Homes of
Orange County in their Santa Project. Watch for
the Angel Tree beginning Sunday November 29th.
Ingathering of the gifts will be on December 13th.
Last year we assisted 35 individuals, all of whom
had recently moved into Shelters to escape from
abusive situations. Knowing that someone cares is
so important to these families. Marci Hanners and
Jill Croucher will be coordinating this outreach
again this year.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
The 2015-2016 Sunday School classes are
underway. Our children are working with
wonderful volunteers again this year. The
Kindergarten and first grade students are
learning the lord's message through the "Godly
Play" curriculum and our second through eight
grader teachers are using "Bible in Life"
curriculum. Our year has started, but it is never
too late to join. Please see Bryan Giudice or Jill
Croucher, co-directors, or speak with Father Carl
if you want more information. There are registration forms available on the bulletin
board. We had a successful mum sale a couple of weeks ago and monies raised will go to
purchase curriculum materials for the Spring. In December, we will host a cookie
exchange fundraiser. Help us spread the Lord's word and consider coming to our Sunday
School program. Sunday School runs the first three Sunday's of each month with fourth
Sunday a family Sunday. Sunday School begins at 10:15 AM and concludes during the
Peace portion of the 10:15 service. Children will rejoin family members in church for the
communion. Your children will greatly benefit socially, emotionally, and most importantly,
religiously.
Bryan Giudice
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November 2015
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
From our Senior Warden . . . Just a quick update regarding a few ongoing issues
discussed at the October 21st Vestry Meeting. As of that
date we have received 60 pledges representing $120,412.
The numbers are a little lower than last year at this time so
we are hoping that there are many unreturned pledge cards
that WILL be turned in shortly. Our first Finance Com-
mittee Meeting is November 10th where we will begin
the 2016 Budget preparation. Knowing what numbers we
are working with makes this job much less stressful. For
those of you who have not turned in your pledge cards please consider increasing your gift to St.
James’ so that we can maintain our building and pay our staff appropriately.
The drainage project has been completed so that all downspouts surrounding the classrooms and
parish hall will drain away from the building. A big thank you to Dave’s Lawn Service for a job
well done. Please take note of some new plantings along the wall of the parish hall put in by our
own Ed Connor. He continues to give of his time making repairs and improvements and he
deserves your thanks! We are hopeful that M & J Masonry will soon begin the second part of this
project – preparing for and pouring a new sidewalk. This will connect with the parking lot side of
the side porch and end at the handicap parking spots. This will provide a much more stable
walkway and we won’t have to destroy our beautiful tree in the process!
MSI, the company hired to repair the bell tower and adjoining roof, will be well underway by the
time you read this. This has been a huge concern as the damage caused by the leaking tower
roof is ongoing. Our hope is to finish this project before the snow flies. Lastly, please remember
to sign up for the Christmas Fair on November 21st. This fundraiser requires many worker bees
and is a great source of revenue. I have heard that our luncheon is being slightly revamped with
Ralph Rafferty and Will Sutton at the helm. Thanks to both of you for jumping in! This is always
a fun day where we all come together to do God’s work. Be there and feel His presence.
Debby Brown, Warden
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November 2015
Birthdays November: Wedding Anniversaries November:
The Newsletter Deadline is the
15th of December. Please send articles to
If you would like your Birthday or Wedding
Anniversary added to the Newsletter email them
to Jessica Sutton at:
Nursery Schedule 10:30 a.m.
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should
go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
November 1 Kim Pelfrey
8 Kathy Martin-Brown
15 Karen Fogerty
22 Karen Golding
29 LaWahna Search
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER HELP IS
NEEDED IN THE NURSERY.
CONTACT: LaWahna Search 294-3035
St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803
THANKSGIVING
SERVICE
at St. James’
Tuesday, November 24
at 7:30 p.m.
Bring a donation for the
Goshen Ecumenical Food
Pantry
Lola Lofman 11 /1
Nicholas Barnes 11 /4
James Mahoney 11 /6
Janice Terracino 11 /12
Sharon Lunden 11 /24
John De Angelis 11 /26
Barbara Killenberger 11 /29
John Strobl 11 30
Nick & Roberta Mabee 11 /4
Bryan & Christine Giudice 11 /11
Henry & Tanya Hamilton 11 /15
Harry & Kathy Brown 11 /23
The CommuniTy Dinner aT ST. JameS’ SaTurDay, november 28 aT 5:30pm
The Rotary Club will once again host the their Annual Saturday after Thanksgiving Community Dinner on November, 28 from 5:30p.m.-6:30 p.m. in the St. James’ Parish Hall. Call John Strobl at 294-9004 to find out how to help. We open at 4:00 p.m. to get ready for the 5:30 p.m. meal.
Goshen Ecumenical Pantry Inc. Distribution Dates November 14 &19
The next Saturday distribution date at the Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry will be held November, 14 (the
2nd Saturday of each month) from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
at 33 Park Place, Goshen. Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. Note: This is our main Thanksgiving Handout.
The Goshen Food Pantry’s Thursday night distribution will be held one week early due to Thanksgiving.
We will hand out on November, 19 from 6:30 to 7:15pm. Help is needed; all groups (Adults, Boy Scouts,
Girl Scouts, and Youth Groups, Football Teams etc.) are welcome to give us a hand. Please arrive at the
pantry around 6:00pm.
Goshen Ecumenical Pantry Inc. Bagging & unloading of food dates
Bagging is done at the Goshen Food Pantry, every Tuesday morning at 9:30a.m. Unloading of Food pur-
chased from the Food Bank in Cornwall is done on the Wednesday after the second Saturday of the month at
5:00pm at the Pantry @ 33 Park Place, Goshen. The next date for Food unloading is November, 18. Be part
of this excellent opportunity for community service. Unloading takes about 1 Hour.
Donations are ALWAYS welcome!
Food Donations for Thanksgiving are needed we can use Gravy, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Yams,
Vegetables, extra Turkeys, Pies etc. Help you Goshen neighbors enjoy the Holiday.
Foods to donate are
Peanut Butter, Spaghetti Sauce, Jam/Jelly, Tuna Fish, Canned Meals, Macaroni & Cheese, Deter-
gents, Hand Soap, Toilet Paper, Pancake Mix & Syrup, Rice, Canned Vegetables & Fruits, Soup, Canned
Beans (all types), Pasta, Cake & Brownie Mix, Instant Potatoes, Coffee/Tea/Cocoa, Oatmeal, Puddings,
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, etc.
We are always looking for help to unload food from the Food Bank pickups, and we could use trucks
and drivers to pick up the food at the food bank. We pick up food at the Cornwall Food bank on the
Wednesday after the 2nd Saturday of each month. We unload at 5:00pm at the pantry. Call John Strobl at 294
-9004 if you can help or need info. Visit us on Facebook for more info.www.facebook.com/goshenfoodpantry
St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES November, 2015
The Rotary Clubs Annual Saturday after Thanksgiving Community Dinner is November 28
CHRISTMAS FAIR St. James’ Episcopal Church
1 St. James Place, Goshen, N.Y.
Saturday, November 21
10:00am - 3:00pm
LUNCH - AND HOMEMADE SOUPS TO GO
GIFTS , JEWELRY ROOM,
KIDS CRAFT ROOM, ANTIQUES,
CATHEDRAL SHOP,
BAKED GOODS AND CANDY,
PHOTOS WITH SANTA, ATTIC
TREASURES,
BOUTIQUE, KRAFTS BY KIDS,
CHRISTMAS WREATHS,
PERSONALIZED CHRISTMAS
ORNAMENTS, AND SO MUCH MORE!!!
COME JOIN US!
Su
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Mon
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So
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V
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Novem
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015
St. Jam
es’ Episco
pal C
hurch
St. James’ Episcopal Church
1 St. James Places
Parish Office Hours
Monday CLOSED. Tuesday–Thursday 9:00-12:00 pm; 1:00-3:00 pm
Friday 9:00-1:00 pm
THANKSGIVING
EUCHARIST
Tuesday, November 24
at 7:30 p.m.
Bring a donation to for the
Goshen Food Pantry
